The Central Coast Barnstormers fell short of their NorCal title
defense on Saturday against rival Salinas
San Leandro
The Central Coast Barnstormers failed to make the NorCal championship game for the first time in three years on Saturday, as they fell short against the Salinas Spartans 16-13 at Burrell Field in San Leandro.
“Everyone was sad,” head coach Greg Garcia said. “It’s something so close that’s within your grasp.”
Central Coast had previously represented the South Division the last two years, and triumphed both years to represent the Northern California Amateur Football Federation in the state title game as well.
First-year Salinas, which included eight former Barnstormers, will play in the NorCal championship as representatives of the South Division. They’ll play the North Division’s Stockton Trojans, which defeated the Northern Valley Lions 35-13 on Saturday.
Central Coast nearly made it three years in a row, however, jumping out to a quick 13-0 lead in the first half.
In the first quarter, Will Lawrence put the Barnstormers up on the scoreboard first when he caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rhett Van De Mark, while Donta Anderson’s 35-yard rush made it a two-score game for the local semi-pro football team.
“With how fast we started, if we kept up the tempo we could have ran away with the game,” Garcia said. “But they made some great adjustments.”
The one significant adjustment, Garcia noted, was Salinas’ run defense later in the game.
“We tried to attack with the run,” Garcia said. “It was harder to run.”
Salinas got on the board just before the half when Dustin Encallado ran in from a short distance.
After a scoreless third quarter, Spartan Antowian Vaughn pocketed a 30-yard rushing score to tie the game at 13-all.
Unable to break the tie, Central Coast gave the ball back to Salinas, who marched down to punch through a 15-yard field goal.
The Barnstormers got the ball back at 3:03, but mental mistakes, Garcia said, including a pair of false start penalties, prevented Central Coast from advancing the ball downfield.
The Barnstormers finish their season at 6-3 overall. The team’s other two losses were against Stockton and Salinas.
Saturday’s game was seen as a rematch for the Barnstormers, as the Spartans narrowly defeated Central Coast 28-21 in Week 3.
Salinas and Stockton will play Saturday at Burrell Field at 5 p.m. for the NorCal title.
“I’m already looking forward to 2009 and recruiting players,” Garcia said. Although Garcia feels Stockton and Salinas are two strong and respected programs, he will be rooting for the South Division champion Spartans on Saturday.
“In my opinion,” Garcia said, “it could go other way.”
