10/21/2016

Salinas-Monte Vista football

Friday's game
Salinas (4-4) at Monte Vista (6-2), 7:30 p.m.
 When Salinas coach Steve Goodbody watches film of Monte Vista, it's like looking in the mirror.
 "Monte Vista is a carbon copy of us,'' Goodbody said.
 In more ways than one.
 Both teams have two Gabilan Division losses, both to San Benito and Palma.
 Yet, there may be a sense of urgency for the Cowboys to right the ship in their quest for a ninth straight playoff spot.
 Salinas (4-4) is looking to snap a two-game losing streak, having produced just 14 points in back-to-back losses.
 "We have four losses to three teams that are ranked in the top 10 by Cal Preps Computer,'' Goodbody said. "The other loss is to a defending section champion in Aptos.''
 What has crippled the Cowboys is turnovers, having committed eight in their last two games. Plus, they haven't had tailback Ritchie Cerda for most of the last two games.
 "He's a big part of our offense,'' Goodbody said. "He's a missing piece. But we have moved the ball. We just didn't do anything with it in the red zone. The big stat is we didn't get into the end zone."
 Last week Monte Vista saw its 13-game home regular season winning streak snapped by Palma in a 35-0 loss. A week earlier, Salinas fell 33-7 to Palma.
 "From this point, we're treating each game as a potential playoff maker,'' Goodbody said. "We know with each win, we take a step closer to the postseason.''
 Both teams already appear to have enough points to qualify for the playoffs with just two games left in the regular season. Still a win improves the chance for a home playoff game.
 "Plus you want to be firing on all cylinders in the playoffs,'' Goodbody said. "That's why we have the non-league schedule we have. To prepare us for this.''
 The Mustangs have watched Devon Daich throw for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns this season while Darnell Deas and Cody Paresa have combined for 13 rushing touchdowns.
 "Monte Vista is a spread team like us that runs the ball real well,'' Goodbody said. "And they're very active on defense.''
 Last season the Mustangs went into Salinas and torched them through the air with four touchdowns, producing 18 straight points at one point in a 31-27 thriller.
 Goodbody believes that Cerda will be cleared to play this week. The junior has rushed for nearly 800 yards in six full games.
 Quarterback Brett Reade has thrown for just under 1,000 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for six touchdowns for Salinas.
 "He's spreading the ball around real well,'' Goodbody said. "That's the nature of our offense. It's a read offense. There's no favorite receiver. His favorite receiver is the one that's open.''
 An argument can be made the strength of the Cowboys this year has been their defense, which has held four opponents under 10 points and six under 18 points.
 Inside linebackers Drew Schuler and Andrew Padilla are among the team leaders in tackles while Cooper Smith has 13 sacks as a pass rusher.
 "Cooper is making people want to run away from you,'' Goodbody said. "We are playing well as a complete unit. Minus Palma, we've been in every game this year.''




























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