Salinas football

 So much for there being some rust from a 14-day layoff.
 The Cowboys asserted themselves on their opening two drives, then let their defense take over, creating five turnovers -- two of which were returned for touchdowns -- in a lopsided win over Menlo-Atherton.
 So for the sixth time in seven years, Salinas is back in the Division I semifinals, one step away from playing for its first section title since 2001.
 Will it be different this year?
 The top seeded Cowboys will face a Piedmont Hills team next Friday that beat them 60-38 in the playoffs last year in San Jose.
 This game will be at "The Pit," where Salinas beat the Pirates 59-34 in 2012 -- and where it has won four straight games
 But put all that aside for a moment.
 These are different faces on each team's roster.
 Salinas is a quirky, tight knit senior laden group, one that shaved the top of their heads to look like their coach Steve Goodbody.
 It's that type of bond that this team shares, that camaraderie that helps create a champion.