10/24/2014

Salinas-Palma football

Friday's game
Salinas (4-3) vs. Palma (6-0) at Rabobank Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
 If Rabobank Stadium ever gets filled to capacity for a football game, this should be it.
 The last time these two neighboring schools played a game of this magnitude was in 2002 when the visiting Cowboys beat Palma en route to a league title.
 It's the last time Salinas beat the Chieftains -- the only time in the last 20 years. It's also the last time it won a title.
 After a 1-3 non-league start, the Cowboys are 3-0 in the Gabilan Division while Palma has never lost a Gabilan Division game.
 The Chieftains defense has allowed just 32 points all season, having shutout their first two league opponents.
  You can make an argument that Palma has yet to be tested this season with six dominating efforts  while Salinas has been involved in three games decided in the final seconds.
 Who controls the line of scrimmage will dictate the tempo. The Chieftains Emilio Martinez has 823 rushing yards while Bruce Leighton has chalked up 702 yards for Salinas.
 The Cowboys showed their big play potential last week with touchdowns of 78, 38 and 61 yards. That's 177 yards on just three plays.
 Martinez has seven touchdowns of 20 yards or longer this fall.

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