Friday's game
No. 7 Stevenson (6-3) at No. 2 Seaside (9-1), 7 p.m.
Call it uncharted waters for the Pirates, who are making their first playoff appearance in 16 years, or when the majority of the team were infants.
In fact, the last time Stevenson made the postseason, it clinched the programs only league title with a 17-7 win at Seaside in 2000.
"They have beaten us the last two times we've faced them,'' said Seaside coach Al Avila, who still remembers the 32-31 loss in Pebble Beach in 2001.
While Seaside has gone on to win two Central Coast Section divisional titles and make 12 playoff appearances, the Pirates have spent the last 15 years turning in uniforms after the season.
The Pirates are a program that starts two weeks after the official start day because of border students. As a result, they play a nine-game schedule instead of 10.
"I don't know if we have played our best football,'' Stevenson coach Bruce Dini said. "I feel we have gotten better and more mature as the season has progressed.''
It's possible the Pirates could be oblivious to the pressure of the playoffs. Then again, you can make that argument for Seaside, who hasn't been to the playoffs in two years.
"We respect those guys and what they do,'' Dini said.
All Seaside has done this year is win, although it's been a struggle at times, as evident by a 6-5 win over Watsonville and then holding off Gilroy 34-32.
"We've played in spurts,'' Avila said. "But it's been ugly. We have not played as well as we feel we can. The kids aren't satisfied. But we're 9-1.''
An argument can be made that Seaside has overachieved with the numerous amount of injuries to its front seven on defense and the offensive line.
Over the course of the last eight weeks, the Spartans have missed five of their front seven while the offensive line has been ravaged by injuries.
"It's not an excuse,'' Avila said "You just don't play at the same level with so many kids gone. We have backups playing for the backups. It's a testament to this team.''
Yet, the Spartans put together their most complete game last week when they erupted for 44 points in a dominating effort against rival Monterey.
"They have some special athletes,'' Dini said. "The defensive end is a force. The quarterback and tailback are legit on offense."
Dini was speaking about defensive end DeMarcus Hawkins, who has 15 sacks this year, as well as quarterback Malik Jeter and tailback Keishawn Robinson.
Robinson rushed for a career high 279 yards and scored five touchdowns in the Spartans romp over Monterey.
"Seaside does a lot of different things on offense,'' Dini said. "They give you a lot of different looks, We have to be nimble enough to make adjustments on the fly.''
That would include the 'Wildcat' that Robinson ran out of a handful of times last week, taking one carry 60 yards for a touchdown, while another 58 yard run was called back.
"Their speed and size is a concern,'' Dini said.
So is the Pirates aerial attack, which has put up record breaking numbers from quarterback Casey Mornhinweg.
The left-handed gunslinger has thrown for 2,261 yards and 29 touchdowns in just eight games this year.
Will Lansbury has shattered single-season receiving records at Stevenson with 73 catches for 1,274 yards and 20 touchdowns.
"He's a big strong kid,'' said Avila, in speaking of Lansbury. "He breaks tackles. It's what he does after the catch that's scary. When he goes up, a lot of times he's going to win the battle.''
Teams that have attempted to double-team Lanbury have had to deal with Dakota Mornhinweg and Kenny Pich, who have combined for 69 catches for 1,010 yards and eight touchdowns.
"The key for us is how fast can we get the ball out,'' Dini said.
Meaning can the Pirates offensive line protect Mornhinweg long enough to keep him upright, or keep the Spartans Hawkins from disrupting things.
"We're a pressure defense,'' Avila said. "No one brings the kind of pressure we do. We bring it from all over the place.''
With all the injuries to the front seven, Seaside has gone to a two linebacker set, inserting another safety to patrol the middle. That could work in its favor against a pass first team.
"The more confidence you give them, the better they play,'' Avila said. "They're a scary team. If they get some momentum, they come at you. The quarterback gets the ball out.''
The Spartans defense has allowed a county low 115 points all year, as Daniel Sayre has intercepted six passes, returning four for touchdowns.
Sayre will likely be lined up against Lansbury.
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