Palma football

Northern California Division 4AA playoffs

Friday's game

Campolindo (10-3) vs. Palma (10-3) at Rabobank, 7:30 p.m.

One team is going to grind on the ground. The other is going to unleash an aerial assault.

No two teams chasing the same dream could be more different.

Palma will make its inaugural Northern California Division 4AA bowl appearance Friday, hosting Campolindo of Moraga at 7:30 p.m. at Rabobank Stadium.

"This team is big-game tested,’’ Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo said.

Carnazzo was speaking about Campolindo having reached the state title game the past two years, defeating El Capitan of Lakeside in 2014 during a 16-0 season.

The Cougars have gone 40-5 over the past three years, capturing the North Coast Section Division II title last week, defeating Windsor 40-20.

"They’re a physical team with speed at the skilled positions,’’ Carnazzo said. "They’re obviously a team that takes the weight room seriously.’’

The teams share a common opponent in Valley Christian, which defeated Palma 14-10 in the Central Coast Section Open Division III title game two weeks ago. Campolindo fell to the Warriors 21-7 in Week 1.

Because the CCS finished up a week earlier than other sections, Palma has had two weeks between games.

"I personally would have rather played,’’ Carnazzo said. "I was under the impression when the CCS moved our schedule up a week, that we were going to be in sync with all the sections. Obviously that wasn’t the case.’’

Palma spent the week preparing to face five potential teams, including Campolindo.

"They’re aggressive and take chances on defense,’’ Carnazzo said. "They’ll put everyone on the line of scrimmage and come after you. Now if you break the line of scrimmage, there’s not a lot back there.’’

Which is something tailback Emilio Martinez has done a lot this season for Palma, having rushed for nearly 2,300 yards and a county record 36 touchdowns in 12 games.

Ten of the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Martinez’s touchdowns have been of 35 yards or longer, including a 50-yard touchdown run in the Chieftains loss to Valley Christian.

Running behind an offensive line that includes Stanford-bound Drew Dalman and 245-pound Robert Hernandez, Martinez has rushed for 815 yards and 12 touchdowns in three postseason games.

"We have to take advantage when they have eight or nine in the box,’’ Carnazzo said.

That means putting the ball in the air on occasion. Palma completed just five passes for 67 yards in its loss to Valley Christian.
"We have to have some balance to our offense,’’ insisted Carnazzo.

Because of Martinez’s record-breaking season on the ground, Palma hasn’t needed to throw the ball frequently. During its 10-game winning streak, the average margin of victory was 31.7 points, building most of those leads in the first half.

Of course, the hope is that the Chieftains can go on methodical five-plus-minute drives that keep the clock moving, move the chains and keep Campolindo’s high-powered offense off the field.

"We always have a game plan going in,’’ Carnazzo said. "A lot teams defend us differently. Of course, when you get to this level, most teams do what they do and do it well. There’s not a lot of surprises left.’’

What the Cougars do well is put the ball in the air. Quarterback Jacob Westphal has thrown for 3,120 yards and 24 touchdowns this year, with just four interceptions in 326 attempts.

Vincent Mossotti has big play potential with over 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 26 yards each time he touches the ball.

"No doubt, they like to throw the ball,’’ Carnazzo said. "The receivers have speed. The quarterback is a really talented kid. He has pinpoint accuracy. We’re in the mode of facing good quarterbacks lately.’’

The Chieftains fared well in shutting down two quarterbacks in the CCS playoffs that had thrown for over 2,200 yards, but struggled two weeks ago when Valley Christian completed 7-of-8 passes — five of which went for first downs.

"It’s a concern,’’ Carnazzo said. "We have to play well in the secondary. But we also have to get pressure on the quarterback. If you give him time, he’ll find a receiver every time. He’s that good. That’s the key to the game.’’

Part of that pressure from the front seven starts with Dalman and Michael Zaragoza, who have a combined 17 sacks, while Stan Smith led the team in tackles with over 100.

"It’s not foreign for us to face a good quarterback,’’ Carnazzo said.

Yet, while the Cougars throw frequently outside the red zone, inside they have rushed for 33 touchdowns in averaging 35 points a game, a number that soars to 49 points a game in three postseason contests.

"They’re explosive,’’ Carnazzo said.

And aggressive on defense, having created 33 turnovers.

"They force a lot of fumbles because of their physicality,’’ Carnazzo said.