Salinas-Carmel football

Just once over the last eight years has Salinas opened the year 0-2. It hasn't happened to Carmel since 2000.
 A must win in Week 2 is a bit prematurely for both teams, who opened the season with setbacks to reigning league champions.
 However, both teams had different twists after starting the year 0-2.
 Salinas ended up in the playoffs in 2010 after an 0-2 start, thanks to a 5-0 finish. Carmel, meanwhile, went winless in 2000.
 Offense isn't often looked upon as a concern at Carmel, who has racked up two of the top 50 all-time point totals in the state over the last five years.
 Yet, last week it was held without a point in the second half  against Palma for the first time in 80 games, producing just a first quarter touchdown.
 Some of that had to do with a hobbled quarterback in Connor Marden, while his top receiver William Kehoe was battling a tender hamstring. A lot of it, though, had to do with Palma's defense.
 Salinas fell in the final 7.2 seconds to defending CCS Division III champion Aptos. The Cowboys have two league champions and two CCS champions among their first four games.
 The Cowboys are still learning a new offensive system. Trial by fire against elite teams in the CCS isn't ideal. Defensively, Salinas can build off its effort last week.
 Carmel has got to get healthy. Special teams have also got to improve. Three punts of 10 yards or less provided short fields last week for Palma.