Aside from the wild one between Piedmont Hills and Fremont, there was very little drama in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs. While Piedmont Hills was fending off a game Fremont squad, 33-31, the other three top seeds rolled by a combined score of 117-8.
The semifinals feature a rematch between a pair of league rivals and what figures to be a wide-open affair between teams that are familiar with each other. The city of Salinas takes center stage as it hosts what should be a couple of competitive semifinal matchups.
No. 4 Piedmont Hills at No. 1 Salinas, Friday (7 pm)
These schools faced off two seasons ago with Salinas prevailing 58-34. And while we’re not necessarily projecting another 92-point shootout, both teams figure to put some points on the board Friday night.
The visiting Pirates averaged nearly 40 points per game in the high-flying BVAL-Mount Hamilton Division and will look to get junior quarterback Marcus Romero (2,582 yards passing, 27 TDs) going early.
Romero has a pair of high-profile targets in seniors Aaron Tillak (50 receptions, 895 yards, 10 TDs) and Isaiah Stewart (57, 855, 11). Piedmont Hills also boasts a potent rushing attack led by senior Joel De Guzman (880 yards rushing, 10 TDs).
Salinas, meanwhile, has been on a roll lately, averaging 45 points per game during its current three-game winning streak. The Cowboys even managed to hang 35 points on an extremely stingy Palma defense that allowed just 65 points all season in MBL-Gabilan play.
The Cowboys are led by quarterback Zach McDermott (1,630 yards passing, 14 TDs; 642 yards rushing, 13 TDs) and running back Bruce Leighton (1,005 yards rushing, 9 TDs).
PREDICTION: Salinas 41, Piedmont Hills 28
No. 3 San Benito at No. 2 Alvarez, Friday (7 pm)
These teams met on October 17 with Alvarez pulling out a 34-27 home victory. The Eagles get to host the Haybalers again, but this time the stakes are much higher.
The playoff-tested Balers lost in the Division I championship game last season to Milpitas and won the CCS title in 2012 against the same Trojans.
San Benito struggled in the middle of the season, losing three of four games to drop to 3-4 (0-3 in the MBL-Gabilan) to put its playoff hopes in jeopardy. But the Haybalers have responded with four straight victories, including a season-defining 17-13 win at previously undefeated Palma.
The boys from Hollister feature a deep rushing attack led by multi-faceted quarterback R.J. Clark (786 yards passing, 566 yards rushing, 17 total TDs). J.J. Melo is one of the team’s top defensive players, having led the Balers in sacks (6) and among the team leaders in tackles (67).
Alvarez followed up the 2013 dream season with a solid, consistent performance during the 2014 regular season, finishing tied with San Benito for fourth in the rugged MBL-Gabilan Division. Edric Gamble does it all for the Eagles, having rushed for 1,287 yards and 18 touchdowns along with 682 passing yards and 8 TDs.
PREDICTION: San Benito 24, Alvarez 20
