Palma, Salinas set to renew rivalry
Rivals slated to bump heads on Friday at Rabobank Stadium
SALINAS >> No team bus ride to the stadium. No mental preparation or locker room speech before the kickoff. In fact, no indoor access period.
Indeed, the Palma-Salinas high school rivalry football game is going to be a lot different this season.
“I’d be lying to you if I said it didn’t feel different,” Palma football coach Jeff Carnazzo said. “Getting ready for a game is a process. That has been thrown out the window this spring. Yet, I’m thankful we’re playing.”
The Chieftains host arguably their biggest rival in undefeated Salinas at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.
While there is no title at stake, backyard bragging rights remain for two schools separated by less than half a mile.
“The focus this year has really been on the kids,” Salinas coach Steve Zenk said. “At the same time, it’s a rivalry game. We like playing each other. It’s a great game for our area.”
Salinas has run off three straight wins in the series against Palma. The 2019 game was epic, perhaps the best battle between the two county powers since their rivalry was renewed 19 years ago. Salinas scored in the final two minutes to prevail 38-35.
“Playing to win the game never changes, regardless of the situation,” Zenk said. “We’re still at the point where our focus is getting better. We’re still trying to figure out who we are.”
In part, because there was no off-season or fall season because of the pandemic. Both teams went 14 months between official practices. Both teams are just five weeks into their abbreviated spring season.
And in the Cowboys’ case, this is their final week of a four-game season. Palma will close its season on April 16 at San Benito.
“It’s exciting to be practicing in pads this week and having a normal week in terms of preparation for a game,” Zenk said. “I think we have had five practices in helmets only the last two weeks.”
The 3-0 Cowboys just came off a stretch of having played three games in nine days, posting a 27-13 win last Thursday against North Salinas, while Palma (1-1) scored the game’s first 42 points in beating King City.
“I feel good about where we are under the circumstances,” Carnazzo said. “We played a lot better against King City. Our younger players are gaining valuable experience and developing for the future.”
Palma opened the season on the road, falling 37-14 to San Joaquin Memorial of Fresno, which has five players with Division I football scholarships.
The coaches traded film over the weekend. But the reality is there aren’t a whole lot of secrets in what both teams do.
“Our preparation is always the same,” Zenk said. “We’ll identify what we do that works against them on film. We have a backup plan in case we’re wrong. We know Palma likes to run it.”
Yet, the Chieftains had success throwing the ball last week with Luke Rossi tossing three touchdowns in the first half to three different receivers, including 6-foot-5 tight end Joey Finley.
Sophomore quarterback Adam Shaffer tossed a pair of touchdowns last week for Salinas to fleet receiver Austin Villanueva, who caught nine last year for the reigning Gabilan Division champions.
“Salinas has a quarterback who is developing and making progress,” Carnazzo said. “But the strength of that team is its defense. We have to find a way to score.”
That stingy Cowboys defense starts with linebacker Ricky Weimer and defensive lineman Michael McNeill, while Fabian Rodriguez and Isaac Rodriguez have been shut down corners.
“Their front seven is very good and physical,” Carnazzo said. “The linebacking corps is strong. What has been impressive is they’re playing a lot of guys and there’s no drop-off.”
So are the Chieftains, who are utilizing their entire roster — which includes a handful of freshmen — to allow players to develop, while not wearing down their starters.
“You have to,” Carnazzo said. “No one is as good or sharp as we need to be. And it’s the right thing to do. You have to balance it. You want your seniors to have the experience.”
Look for both teams to run the ball behind massive offensive lines, where Jeff Shaffer has piled up over 100 yards rushing in two of the Cowboys’ three games. Palma’s running back committee includes Luke Alvarez and JoJo Cardinale.