Local amateur football team coming off exciting 35-33 victory
over Lions for league title
After finishing a perfect 10-0 season, the Central Coast Barnstormers aren’t done yet.
The Barnstormers already have done something they haven’t done before by winning the Northern California Football Federation title June 17 at Foothill College in Los Altos. They pulled off a thrilling 35-33 victory over the Northern Valley Loins of Sacramento. The Barnstormers have won their share of division titles, but never the overall league title. Now they’re looking for a state title.
“We think we have really improved as a team over the last couple years,” said Barnstormers coach Jeff Borges. “Finally winning the championship this year was a big step for us.”
Although the score was close, the Barnstormers had numerous opportunities to put the game away. They had the ball at the one-foot line as the game was winding down. But a personal foul penalty moved the ball back to the 15-yard line, and the Barnstormers ended up not scoring.
“The score was a little deceptive,” Borges said. “We kept pulling away, then they would crawl back. But that is the sign of a good team.”
The Barnstormers were leading 28-13 at the half, but the Lions returned the opening kickoff of the half for a touchdown. The Barnstormers never trailed in the game.
History of the Nor Cal matchup
The Barnstormers face the Nor Cal Lawmen of Concord (13-1), who defeated the Capitol City Fury of Sacramento 8-6. The game will be at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill July 8 at 7pm.
The winner of the Nor Cal game will play the winner of the So Cal game for the state championship. If the Barnstormers win, they would host the game. Each year, the hosting privilege switches between the northern and southern team.
“We’ve been a good team on the road this year, so this is nothing new for us,” Borges said. “We just have to put a good game together. They are a good football team.”
The Barnstormers and the Lawmen do have some history together. Last year, the Lawmen won a low-scoring game, and the year before the Barnstormers won by about two touchdowns.
“We’ve always had good games with them,” Borges said. “They have been one of top semipro football teams over the last 10 years – a real long winning tradition.”
The Lawmen have the No. 1 ranking in Northern California, while the Barnstormers are ranked No. 2.
“We’re really excited about it,” Borges said. “The guys all season long have played real well together in all three faces of the game – offense, defense and special teams.”
The Barnstormers are no stranger to big games. In 2005, the Barnstormers were the pnly team to beat the national champions Daley City Renegades (39-9) and have played in the last four conference championship games.
The Barnstormers will have two more practices before the game – one on Saturday and one on Wednesday.
“We’re going to stress defensively to stop the run game and take away the lanes,” Borges said. “They have a real open spreadout offensive game with a quarterback who does a really good job. They are a little bigger than us on the offensive line. We’ll try to do some quick releases and mix some draws in there. We have just as much of a chance winning as they do.”
The Barnstormers will try to continue to do what they have all season – win.
“I hope they believe in themselves like they have all season,” Borges said. “It is so hard to get through a season undefeated. That is why it is so special when it happens.”
Barnstormers Send 12 players to All-Star Game
n Staff Reports
The Barnstorms sent 12 players as well as its coaching staff to this year’s game to represent the South team in the annual NCAFF All-Star Game. The game was played at Soquel High School in Santa Cruz June 25.
The South took the lead with a minute left for only the first time since early on. But the North answered with a touchdown with five seconds to win.
“If you get picked you should play,” Borges said of his coaching philosophy. “Both teams did a good job. You feel bad if you lose but not that bad. You’d feel worse if you don’t play everyone.”
Barnstormer All-Star Players and Coaches
Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator – Jeff Borges
Offensive Coordinator – Dave Clapham
Asst. Offensive Coordinator / Receivers Coach – Mike Reyes
Asst. Defensive Coordinator / D- Line Coach – Jeff Parsley
QB – Bryan Smith ( Hollister)
C – Jose Rodriguez ( Hollister)
Rec- Aaron Muro ( Hollister)
Rec – Ajene ( A.J) . Palmer ( Gilroy )
RB – Derrick “D-Train” Morrison ( San Jose) also won the NCAFF South Conference MVP
FB – Tommy “the truck” Jimenez ( San Jose)
LB – Lance Goularte ( Hollister)
DT – John Conley ( San Jose)
OLB – Willy Camboa ( Gilroy )
SS – Joe King ( Pacific Grove)
CB – Bobby Jones ( Gilroy )
CB – Tyrone Ward ( Salinas) also won NCAFF South conference defensive MVP
Honorable mention – FS David Flores ( Fresno)
