Salinas (1-2) vs. Palma (3-0) at Rabobank, 7:30 p.m.
Certainly things perked up a bit in this rivalry after the Cowboys put up a dominating performance in shutting out Milpitas last week in a rematch of last year's CCS Open Division I title game.
Coming into its annual meeting against the Chieftains winless could have created uncertainly. Now Salinas can play with confidence instead of desperation.
The Cowboys did start last season 1-2 before embarking on a school record 10-game winning streak, which included snapping a 14-year losing streak to Palma - its biggest rival.
Having had a bye last week, Palma made a statement to the rest of the Central Coast Section after its 26-20 overtime road win over previously unbeaten Menlo-Atherton.
Dating back to last season, tailback Anthony Villegas has rushed for over 100 yards in eight straight games, with the Chieftains being 7-1 in those games.
In last year's 21-7 loss to Salinas, Villegas was held to 46 yards on 17 carries. Last week Salinas held Milpitas to 124 yards in rushing offense in shutting them out.
Both teams like to throw the ball with Grant Sergent having not thrown an interception in his last 91 attempts for the Chieftains.
Carl Richardson, whose brother Jack went to Palma and is now a backup at Stanford, is still building chemistry with a receiving core that includes John Mendalla and his 17 receptions.
The Cowboys did rediscover their ground game last week with Abraham Hernandez rushing for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Jeff Schaffer has 149 yards in his last two games.
Defense, though, will dictate the tempo. After giving up 76 points to two teams a combined 7-0, the Cowboys pitched a shutout last week behind Zac Robison and Nathan Martorella.
Palma's defense has not allowed a point in the first quarter behind a secondary anchored by Mateo Martinez and Brent Eastman -- both of which have two picks this fall.
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