Salinas vs Soquel at "The Pit"

[Prepwisdom]

Salinas and Soquel- two of the top public school programs in the CCS- meet this Friday at "The Pit" in Salinas. If you have never attended a game there- I would highly recommend it. The atmosphere is second to none- with a sunken field and seating right on top of the playing surface- a truly memorable enviroment. I had the opportunity to play there in 1970 as a QB for Monterey Peninsula College versus Hartnell- very
raucous!
As for the matchup this week- it appears both teams come in playing their best football- as it should be. Both teams played solid non league schedules- Soquel having lost narrowly to Los Gatos and San Ramon Valley and disposing of Valley Christian. Salinas got thumped by Clovis- The #4 team in the Central Section- but disposed of Valley Christian and Arroyo Grande- the #14 ranked team in the Central Section. The two teams are playing for the Gabilan division championship. If the Salinas QB was still hobbled- I think Soquel would have been favored- however the Salinas QB appears to be healthy again and I have the game as a pickem.

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

I remember going to a game there in the later 70s watching Hartnell and MPC. It is a great atmosphere having attended many Palma v Salinas games over the years including recently. Definitely a venue to see as you are so close to the field. Soquel is favored by 4. Looks to be a very good game.

 

[Cal 14]

I remember going to a game there in the later 70s watching Hartnell and MPC. It is a great atmosphere having attended many Palma v Salinas games over the years including recently. Definitely a venue to see as you are so close to the field. Soquel is favored by 4. Looks to be a very good game.

Soquel is favored by 4? By whom?

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

Must of read wrong. Opposite on Calpreps Cowboys +4. Still should be good game

 

[Cal 14]

Must of read wrong. Opposite on Calpreps Cowboys +4. Still should be good game

Yes, I think it will be.

 

[Prepwisdom]

Calpreps has Salinas to win by 4. ( Cowboys -4)

 

[thehookup55]

Two very well coached teams. Salinas has the best player on the field in Emarrcis Turner. I would imagine he plays both ways for majority of the game. The kid is special. This is a very tough Soquel D. The offense is efficient, but will need some big plays to win this game. STs could play a major factor in this matchup. I think its a toss up.

 

[Cal 14]

I think Salinas would prefer a high-scoring game, while Soquel might want a defensive battle.

This will be the best defense Salinas has seen since Clovis, while this may be the most dynamic offense Soquel has seen.

Game could go either way.

 

[thehookup55]

I think Salinas would prefer a high-scoring game, while Soquel might want a defensive battle.

This will be the best defense Salinas has seen since Clovis, while this may be the most dynamic offense Soquel has seen.

Game could go either way.

Soquel plays a very aggressive secondary. They aren't afraid to leave their corners on an island. They do a very good job disguising. It will be interesting to see what Coach Lowery does to contain Turner. Salinas has a pretty straightforward offensive scheme. They like to grind you out with the run game and short quick passing game. Once you get sucked in they hit you over the top and run through you on the ground. Everyone knows the game plan but not many have stopped it or even slowed it down. The Soquel D plays chess while Salinas O plays checkers. Its going to be a fun match up.

 

[Cal 14]

One X-factor will be penalties. I think Soquel is going to try to grind it out on offense in order to control the ToP, but Salinas can't help them with countless holding penalties. I understand that RPOs can be tough on the o-lines if they don't know where their QB is going, but they have to remain disciplined.

One thing I've never understood about the Salinas offense is the fact that the QBs almost never carry out fakes. If they hand the ball off, that's the end of it. They don't fake like they're taking it themselves. Maybe that works to their favor when they do bolt (catches defenses sleeping), but it seems to me that causing one additional read for the D-ends can only be beneficial for the handoffs. They don't want to tire out the QBs with additional running? I don't know.

This could be a really emotional game. Both teams need to keep their tempers in check. We don't need to see anyone get hurt with late hits or anything like that.

 

[RLS13]

Soquel practically bores you to death. Ball control offense and tough defense. After the first qtr your down 7-0. Maybe you hit big play but they score some points then your down 21-7 at half. You still have a chance. Then third qtr their defense clamps down (coaching staff is great at adjustments) and next thing you know your down 28-7 with 5 mins left in the 4th qtr.

Salinas has a great QB, WR1 and O line, with some threats at RB. They will match up well with Soquel on that side of the ball. They will be able to score. Salinas must get Soquel off the field on offense and not let them do these long methodical drives.

The unusual thing about this game is it means very little in the big picture, winner probably gets to hang a banner (and that is a cool thing), but as far as playoffs win or lose, both these teams end up in the open/DI bracket as a 5-8 team playing a WCAL team or Los Gatos. The good news is unlike years past, there is no superior/dominant team in the CCS. St Francis has established itself as the front runner (for now), but I think any and all DI/Open teams have a chance including both Soquel and Salinas.

 

[Cal 14]

Soquel practically bores you to death. Ball control offense and tough defense. After the first qtr your down 7-0. Maybe you hit big play but they score some points then your down 21-7 at half. You still have a chance. Then third qtr their defense clamps down (coaching staff is great at adjustments) and next thing you know your down 28-7 with 5 mins left in the 4th qtr.

Salinas has a great QB, WR1 and O line, with some threats at RB. They will match up well with Soquel on that side of the ball. They will be able to score. Salinas must get Soquel off the field on offense and not let them do these long methodical drives.

The unusual thing about this game is it means very little in the big picture, winner probably gets to hang a banner (and that is a cool thing), but as far as playoffs win or lose, both these teams end up in the open/DI bracket as a 5-8 team playing a WCAL team or Los Gatos. The good news is unlike years past, there is no superior/dominant team in the CCS. St Francis has established itself as the front runner )for now), but I think any and all DI/Open teams have a chance including both Soquel and Salinas.

Well, that is one thing...

If the winner gets the 5 seed and the loser gets the 7, you can then look at the potential playoff opponents. St. Ignatius at #2 for the #7 seed and probably Serra at #4 for the #5 seed. Frankly, I think I might want to take my chances against St. Iggy more than Serra. 😬

Sometimes you can win by losing and lose by winning.