Different paths to title game for Palma, Alisal
Teams meet for section crown Friday at Rabobank Stadium
It seems somehow ironic but also fitting that the paths of these two high school football teams are crossing in the postseason for the first time.
Go back in time — roughly eight weeks ago — after Palma had beaten Alisal High. The Chieftains learned that they had played their first four football games with an ineligible player.
A week later, the Chieftains were 0-5, while Alisal used the news after a deflating loss to Carmel to go on a school record seven-game winning streak.
“I didn't see the forfeits as a setback,” Palma quarterback Thomas Nunes said. “I looked at it as a challenge. I don't think it fazed us. It was a stepping stone for our season.”
Although they've faced different obstacles in their paths, the two Salinas schools meet again at 7 p.m. Friday, this time for the Central Coast Section Division III title at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.
While Palma didn't seal its 39th consecutive playoff berth until the final week of the season, the Trojans went out and set a school record for wins, extending it with each postseason win.
“The Palma game forced us to reflect and make changes,” Alisal coach Cesar Chaidez said. “We were still trying to find our identity. We found out we had to step up our game to compete.”
While this is the first time Alisal (11-1) has advanced to the CCS finals, Palma is chasing an unprecedented 12th section title — its first since 2011.
Alisal has never beaten Palma on the field. But because of the forfeit, the Chieftains hold a 35-1 all-time lead.
“When you find out you're 0-5, you can understand why we've been so tense,” Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo said. “We've dealt with a lot of adversity. The playoffs have had a different feel.”
No longer fearful of being the team that misses the playoffs, the Chieftains (5-7) have gone out and played fearlessly in two postseason games, beating Hollister 38-10, then knocking off top-seed Menlo-Atherton, rallying from a 14-point deficit for a 28-21 win.
“The dynamics changed in the postseason,” Nunes said. “We played more loose. We had nothing to lose. We started playing for each other.”
The mood during a recent practice was one of treasuring the moment. Eight weeks earlier, the Palma players were in a fog, still grasping the news.
“I didn't know what to think,” recalled Palma lineman Thomas Ducker. “The attitude shifted. The energy shifted. We had to erase the doubt.”
While Palma fought uncertainty throughout the second half of the season, the Trojans turned a page in their program with their record run into the playoffs.
Upsetting No. 2 seed Capuchino of San Bruno by shutting them out in the second half, then going up to Scotts Valley and posting a 28-3 win in the rain has put the Trojans in a position they've never been before — playing for a section title.
“It was one of those things where we kept the focus solely on us,” Chaidez said. “Let's get better in practice. Let's not worry about things we can't control. You see the results on the field.”
An old school offense not seen since the days of grass fields has seen Alisal pile up over 3,500 rushing yards, wearing down opponents with its physicality.
During its seven-game winning streak, Alisal has outscored opponents 69-0 in the first quarter behind quarterback Santiago Chaidez and 1,000 yard running back Damion Gonzales and his 24 touchdown runs.
“What I see is Alisal is much better up front on both sides of the ball,” Carnazzo said. “I was impressed with the defense against Scotts Valley. It's drastically improved.”
Since falling 42-15 to Palma on Sept 15, followed by the heartbreaking last-minute loss to Carmel, the Trojans have been on a mission, averaging 44.5 points a game in their final five league games.
“We keep it simple and sound,” Chaidez said. “We have a scheme that we believe is effective for what we do. It goes a long way in establishing a calm demeanor in practice.”
Practice had a fiery flavor earlier in the week as the Trojans brought intensity to the field, yet a true appreciation for what they've accomplished.
“We have to savor the moment,” Alisal receiver Brian Picazo said. “I'm grateful for the journey. But we have to focus on football, football, football. I hope everyone is locked in.”
Picazo doubles as an edge rusher with track speed, while Josiah Moreno-Sims and Gonzales have been demons on defense for the Trojans.
While Chaidez has peeked at video of the first encounter with Palma, he knows it's better to judge Palma on what it's done the past two weeks.
“We respect Palma 100 percent, but have zero percent fear,” Chaidez said. “We've had growth in all areas. We have to have mental toughness. No thinking, only reacting.”
Time-consuming, methodical drives last week behind offensive lineman Angel Lopez saw the Trojans chew up time, limiting Scotts Valley's possessions. It was so effective that they put the ball in the air just once.
“First downs are a great way to establish our tempo and control the clock,” Chaidez said. “Our offensive line has stepped up in pressure situations. It's about paying attention to detail.”
What's made Palma a more balanced offense in the postseason has been the ability to run the ball to set up the pass.
Last week freshman Eli Dukes ran for a career-high 180 yards, scoring two touchdowns. That in turn enabled Nunes to effectively target his receiving corps.
In the win over Menlo-Atherton, Nunes found Lucas Milborn three times for 78 yards. The week before he connected with University of Notre Damebound Logan Saldate four times for 178 yards and three touchdowns.
“What's changed is we've solidified the offensive line the last four or five weeks,” Carnazzo said. “We had a revolving door at different positions for a stretch.”
While the offense has found its stride, the Chieftains' defense has risen to the challenge in the postseason behind Noah Orozco, Ryan Sanders and Ducker, who will play at Cornell next fall.
The versatility of Nunes and Saldate was evident last week when both stepped in on defense and had interceptions to halt drives.
While having the game at Rabobank would seem to favor Palma, since it serves as their homefield during the regular season, all four of its losses on the field this year have come inside that stadium.
In addition, the Chieftains have trailed in each of their past seven games. By contrast, Alisal has scored first in its past seven games.
“We are concerned with their offense and the ability to hang on to the ball and go on long drives,” Carnazzo said. “There is that adjustment period when you face that offense. It's run well with the quarterback.''