Alvarez-Salinas football

Friday's game
Alvarez (3-5) at Salinas (4-5), 7:30 p.m.
 The coach versus the pupil.
 First year Alvarez coach Brad Mendes honed his coaching skills on Salinas coach Steve Goodbody's staff before becoming a head coach this fall.
 Now the two meet up against each other in a battle that is turning out to have significance for both teams.
 While Salinas likely has enough points to get into the postseason, it is looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
 Alvarez needs to win one of its final two games to extend its postseason run. Winning its final two games would make them a lock for the playoffs.
 Brett Reade had a 56 yard touchdown run last week and a 65-yard touchdown pass. While this is a spread type offense, Salinas is a better team when it moves the ball on the ground.
 The Eagles are coming off their best first half of the season, erupting for 28 points in snapping a five game losing streak.
 All-state wrestler Matt Martinez has accounted for 13 touchdowns this year for Alvarez while Reade has either thrown or rushed for 14 for the Cowboys.
 Two of the best pass rushers will be on display Friday in Salinas defensive end Cooper Smith and his 14 sacks, along with Alvarez's Alan Llamas, who has accounted for 11.