Salinas football

 Two losses all year to two teams that are playing for Central Coast Section divisional titles.
 One just happens to be in the Cowboys bracket.
 It only seems fitting that Salinas' last loss back on Sept. 15 will be the opponent it faces in the Open Division I title game next Friday in Milpitas.
 "That loss left a sour taste in my mouth,'' Salinas quarterback Brett Reade said.
 And through nine straight wins, an undefeated league season and two postseason wins, it hasn't been forgotten.
 If anything could be bigger than ending a 15-year losing streak to Palma earlier this year, it would be avenging a loss to 12-0 Milpitas on the CCS's biggest stake.
 Milpitas didn't to go undefeated by mistake. It scored 60 plus points twice, 50 plus twice and 40 plus four other times. Its average margin of victory in the regular season was 48 points.
 The Cowboys fell 27-0 to Milpitas.
 "We're not one dimensional anymore,'' Salinas coach Steve Zenk said.
 Meaning Salinas isn't going to throw for just 24 yards again like it did in that Week 3 encounter.
 Since that setback the Cowboys have scored 40 or more points five times, often in the first three quarters of the game.
 Reade has rushed for over 1,000 yards and thrown for over 1,300 yards, compiling 28 touchdowns.
 This isn't a complicated offense. It's a punishing offensive line that moves piles. The defense makes plays.
 Regardless of the outcome, it appears Salinas will have enough points to play in a State Northern California Regional game -- putting them one step from a potential state title game.
 Salinas didn't get to this point by looking ahead.