Salinas football

Not since 2002 have the Cowboys put up a defensive stand like we've seen over the last three games this fall.
Salinas stretched its streak of not allowing a touchdown to 11 quarters after Friday's 35-3 pasting of Christopher.
 Fourteen years ago the Cowboys went 13 quarters without allowing a point in winning the Monterey Bay League title. It's also the last time Salinas beat Palma.
 While Salinas has yet to post a shutout, it has held its last two opponents to four field goals -- one of those teams being Central Coast Section power Milpitas.
 In their last four games, the Cowboys defense, anchored by Cooper Smith and his eight sacks, along with Andrew Padilla, have allowed just 27 points -- 6.8 points a game.
 While Salinas runs an up tempo offense, the ability to move the ball more effectively on the ground with Ritchie Cerda and Brett Reade is giving the defense a little more rest.
 This Salinas defense will be tested in the next few weeks, starting with North Salinas, who put up 35 points in a loss to Monte Vista last week.
 Yet, this defense has built chemistry within the system. Some of that is instincts. But when you play without the ball, you have to mess as one to be effective.