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Spartans Defeat Yet Another Rival, Run Win Streak to 6 (week 8)
By Mike Barker
Two weeks ago, I wrote about how the Salinas Spartans were on a roll and fresh off defeating a regional foe. Flash forward and it’s de ja vu all over again. In Week 8’s Northern California Football League’s “Game of the Week”, the Spartans beat up on the South Bay Stallions, 35-6 and ran their impressive win streak to 6 games.
Since their Week 1 loss to the Pacifica Islanders, Salinas has outscored their last six opponents by an astounding 248-26!! That means the average score of their games during this stretch is 41-4. Their defense has pitched three shutouts and their offense is running over people, especially on the ground. Their 196 yards per game is 2nd in the NCFL and has been a dominant force throughout the season.
By beating the Stallions in Week 8, the Spartans have now defeated all three teams in their division. They have a two game lead (plus the tiebreaker) over the Central Coast Barnstormers in the South Division. Salinas is currently slotted as the #2 seed in the playoff behind Pacifica, but have a very favorable schedule remaining. Besides a Week 10 matchup with the defending NCFL Champs, the North Bay Rattlers, the Spartans do not face an opponent over .500 for the rest of the year.
The Stallions (3-4) are in a three-way battle with the Golden State Giants and the Barnstormers for one of the final two Wild Card spots. They have a tough game against Pacifica, an easy game against Monterey and a direct matchup with the Giants in Week 12. That Week 12 game could very well determine the final playoff berth in the National Conference.
Salinas (6-1) is certainly making a statement to the rest of the NCFL and have to start being mentioned as a legitimate threat to be a Championship Game representative. They’re looking at finishing at 8-2, with a chance at 9-1, and will be a difficult opponent for anyone. Week 8’s Game of the Week reinforced the fact that the Spartans are for real, and will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
2010 Version: ’09 Champs Outlast ’08 Champs 10-6 (week 7)
By Mike Barker
Over the past two seasons, the North Bay Rattlers and the Pacifica Islanders have played 120+ minutes of grind it out, tooth-and-nail football. While each normally puts up close to 30 points per game on other opponents, they’ve only mustered three touchdowns combined over 8+ quarters against one another. Last year, one TD was good enough for the Islanders to claim victory. This year, however, one TD was not, as the Rattlers exacted a little revenge for their only 2009 defeat, winning 10-6 at home in Santa Rosa.
While it took overtime for the Islanders to score their first points of the game last year against the vaunted Rattler defense, this year it took on two drives. Pacifica QB Jimmy Collins marched the offense right down the field, ultimately hooking up with WR Greg Walton for the game’s first score. Walton, who also caught a TD pass in the NCFL Championship Game last season against the Rattlers (as a Barnstormer), had 7 catches on the day. The drive covered over 90 yards, but them up only 6-0, as the extra point attempt failed.
Following Pacifica’s impressive series, the story of the game was turnovers. Both teams gave the ball up, but the Islanders turned the ball over 6 times. While North Bay did not capitalize on all of them, they did capitalize on enough. The Islanders lost two fumbles deep in their own territory, once in the 3rd quarter and once in the 4th. The Rattlers offense turned both into scores. First, K Doug Fletcher hit a short field goal to close the gap to 6-3. Then QB Albert Higgs hit WR Corey Nelson for the go ahead touchdown, giving the Rattlers the 10-6 victory.
Though this was a battle of the last two year’s MLFN National Champions and of two undefeated teams, the game really didn’t settle anything. Yes, the Rattlers avenged their 2009 loss to Pacifica, but other than that, nothing is determined. Both teams will make the playoffs and both will be one of the favorite’s to win the 2010 NCFL Championship. There is a lot of work to be done until that point though, especially with teams like the Contra Costa Razorbacks, River City Gators and the Salinas Spartans playing extremely well, everything is up for grabs. The Rattlers gives them bragging rights for the moment, but let’s see how long they last.
Week 6: Game of the Week - Barnstormers @ Spartans (week 6)
By Michael Barker
With the Northern California Football League season nearing the halfway point, teams are starting to solidify themselves as real or unreal threats to the championship. We all know the usual suspects, but have you been keeping an eye on what's been happening in Salinas for the last month? Week 6's "Game of the Week" featured the emerging Salinas Spartans versus South division foe Central Coast Barnstormers. When the dust settled, the Spartans had hammered their regional rival, 48-7 in a statement game.
The Spartans ended the 2009 season as the best team in the NCFL not to make the playoffs. Though they finished 4-6, they outscored their opponents 267-204 and played ultra-competitive against the upper echelon teams in the league. This season, they opened up playing a quality game against the Pacifica Islanders, losing 28-12. In that loss, they were able to gauge what top-level looks like and have been on an absolute tear ever since.
Over the last 4 weeks, Salinas has destroyed everyone. They've scored 40+ points in each game. QB David Carriedo and RB Faylon Cotton are chewing up defenses on the ground, averaging nearly 200 yards per game. The defense has dominated as well, having allowed just 20 points, including shutting out newcomers the California Rhinos and the Monterey Vikings. The pass rush has been fierce and CB Tyrone Ward has been simply incredible. 6 interceptions, 2 returned for TD's, including a 98-yarder. In addition, Ward has 2 TD's on punt returns. All this in just half a season!! At the mid-way point, Tyrone Ward has to be NCFL MVP. The Spartans have things rolling, and with their Week 6 victory, they've created significant distance between themselves and Central Coast.
The Barnstormers, last year's National Conference representative in the NCFL Championship game, are not the same team from the prior year. With the retirement of 2009 NCFL MVP QB Brian Smith, the departure of several All-Stars, including WR Greg Walton and LB Anthony Edwards, the Barnstormers have had a lot to recover from. In their two biggest tests of the season, they have been blown out by the 2009 NCFL Champion North Bay Rattlers and Salinas in Week 6.
Central Coast (2-3) is still in position to be a Wild Card team in the National Conference, but they would have to win a road playoff game against either the Islanders or Spartans. A win next week will get them back to .500 and hopefully provide them with some momentum in the second half of the season.
Salinas (4-1) should be garnering some serious attention with their recent play. Their victory in Week 6’s “Game of the Week” puts everyone on notice that this team is for real. They are on track to be the #2 seed in the playoffs and are gunning for a rematch with the Islanders. If they can continue their stellar play, the Spartans will have a real shot to avenge their Week 1 loss at Pacifica.
Week 7: Game of the Week - Islanders @ Rattlers (week 7)
2010 Version: ’09 Champs Outlast ’08 Champs 10-6
By Michael Barker
Over the past two seasons, the North Bay Rattlers and the Pacifica Islanders have played 120+ minutes of grind it out, tooth-and-nail football. While each normally puts up close to 30 points per game on other opponents, they’ve only mustered three touchdowns combined over 8+ quarters against one another. Last year, one TD was good enough for the Islanders to claim victory. This year, however, one TD was not, as the Rattlers exacted a little revenge for their only 2009 defeat, winning 10-6 at home in Santa Rosa.
While it took overtime for the Islanders to score their first points of the game last year against the vaunted Rattler defense, this year it took on two drives. Pacifica QB Jimmy Collins marched the offense right down the field, ultimately hooking up with WR Greg Walton for the game’s first score. Walton, who also caught a TD pass in the NCFL Championship Game last season against the Rattlers (as a Barnstormer), had 7 catches on the day. The drive covered over 90 yards, but them up only 6-0, as the extra point attempt failed.
Following Pacifica’s impressive series, the story of the game was turnovers. Both teams gave the ball up, but the Islanders turned the ball over 6 times. While North Bay did not capitalize on all of them, they did capitalize on enough. The Islanders lost two fumbles deep in their own territory, once in the 3rd quarter and once in the 4th. The Rattlers offense turned both into scores. First, K Doug Fletcher hit a short field goal to close the gap to 6-3. Then QB Albert Higgs hit WR Corey Nelson for the go ahead touchdown, giving the Rattlers the 10-6 victory.
Though this was a battle of the last two year’s MLFN National Champions and of two undefeated teams, the game really didn’t settle anything. Yes, the Rattlers avenged their 2009 loss to Pacifica, but other than that, nothing is determined. Both teams will make the playoffs and both will be one of the favorite’s to win the 2010 NCFL Championship. There is a lot of work to be done until that point though, especially with teams like the Contra Costa Razorbacks, River City Gators and the Salinas Spartans playing extremely well, everything is up for grabs. The Rattlers gives them bragging rights for the moment, but let’s see how long they last.
By Mike Barker
Two weeks ago, I wrote about how the Salinas Spartans were on a roll and fresh off defeating a regional foe. Flash forward and it’s de ja vu all over again. In Week 8’s Northern California Football League’s “Game of the Week”, the Spartans beat up on the South Bay Stallions, 35-6 and ran their impressive win streak to 6 games.
Since their Week 1 loss to the Pacifica Islanders, Salinas has outscored their last six opponents by an astounding 248-26!! That means the average score of their games during this stretch is 41-4. Their defense has pitched three shutouts and their offense is running over people, especially on the ground. Their 196 yards per game is 2nd in the NCFL and has been a dominant force throughout the season.
By beating the Stallions in Week 8, the Spartans have now defeated all three teams in their division. They have a two game lead (plus the tiebreaker) over the Central Coast Barnstormers in the South Division. Salinas is currently slotted as the #2 seed in the playoff behind Pacifica, but have a very favorable schedule remaining. Besides a Week 10 matchup with the defending NCFL Champs, the North Bay Rattlers, the Spartans do not face an opponent over .500 for the rest of the year.
The Stallions (3-4) are in a three-way battle with the Golden State Giants and the Barnstormers for one of the final two Wild Card spots. They have a tough game against Pacifica, an easy game against Monterey and a direct matchup with the Giants in Week 12. That Week 12 game could very well determine the final playoff berth in the National Conference.
Salinas (6-1) is certainly making a statement to the rest of the NCFL and have to start being mentioned as a legitimate threat to be a Championship Game representative. They’re looking at finishing at 8-2, with a chance at 9-1, and will be a difficult opponent for anyone. Week 8’s Game of the Week reinforced the fact that the Spartans are for real, and will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
2010 Version: ’09 Champs Outlast ’08 Champs 10-6 (week 7)
By Mike Barker
Over the past two seasons, the North Bay Rattlers and the Pacifica Islanders have played 120+ minutes of grind it out, tooth-and-nail football. While each normally puts up close to 30 points per game on other opponents, they’ve only mustered three touchdowns combined over 8+ quarters against one another. Last year, one TD was good enough for the Islanders to claim victory. This year, however, one TD was not, as the Rattlers exacted a little revenge for their only 2009 defeat, winning 10-6 at home in Santa Rosa.
While it took overtime for the Islanders to score their first points of the game last year against the vaunted Rattler defense, this year it took on two drives. Pacifica QB Jimmy Collins marched the offense right down the field, ultimately hooking up with WR Greg Walton for the game’s first score. Walton, who also caught a TD pass in the NCFL Championship Game last season against the Rattlers (as a Barnstormer), had 7 catches on the day. The drive covered over 90 yards, but them up only 6-0, as the extra point attempt failed.
Following Pacifica’s impressive series, the story of the game was turnovers. Both teams gave the ball up, but the Islanders turned the ball over 6 times. While North Bay did not capitalize on all of them, they did capitalize on enough. The Islanders lost two fumbles deep in their own territory, once in the 3rd quarter and once in the 4th. The Rattlers offense turned both into scores. First, K Doug Fletcher hit a short field goal to close the gap to 6-3. Then QB Albert Higgs hit WR Corey Nelson for the go ahead touchdown, giving the Rattlers the 10-6 victory.
Though this was a battle of the last two year’s MLFN National Champions and of two undefeated teams, the game really didn’t settle anything. Yes, the Rattlers avenged their 2009 loss to Pacifica, but other than that, nothing is determined. Both teams will make the playoffs and both will be one of the favorite’s to win the 2010 NCFL Championship. There is a lot of work to be done until that point though, especially with teams like the Contra Costa Razorbacks, River City Gators and the Salinas Spartans playing extremely well, everything is up for grabs. The Rattlers gives them bragging rights for the moment, but let’s see how long they last.
Week 6: Game of the Week - Barnstormers @ Spartans (week 6)
By Michael Barker
With the Northern California Football League season nearing the halfway point, teams are starting to solidify themselves as real or unreal threats to the championship. We all know the usual suspects, but have you been keeping an eye on what's been happening in Salinas for the last month? Week 6's "Game of the Week" featured the emerging Salinas Spartans versus South division foe Central Coast Barnstormers. When the dust settled, the Spartans had hammered their regional rival, 48-7 in a statement game.
The Spartans ended the 2009 season as the best team in the NCFL not to make the playoffs. Though they finished 4-6, they outscored their opponents 267-204 and played ultra-competitive against the upper echelon teams in the league. This season, they opened up playing a quality game against the Pacifica Islanders, losing 28-12. In that loss, they were able to gauge what top-level looks like and have been on an absolute tear ever since.
Over the last 4 weeks, Salinas has destroyed everyone. They've scored 40+ points in each game. QB David Carriedo and RB Faylon Cotton are chewing up defenses on the ground, averaging nearly 200 yards per game. The defense has dominated as well, having allowed just 20 points, including shutting out newcomers the California Rhinos and the Monterey Vikings. The pass rush has been fierce and CB Tyrone Ward has been simply incredible. 6 interceptions, 2 returned for TD's, including a 98-yarder. In addition, Ward has 2 TD's on punt returns. All this in just half a season!! At the mid-way point, Tyrone Ward has to be NCFL MVP. The Spartans have things rolling, and with their Week 6 victory, they've created significant distance between themselves and Central Coast.
The Barnstormers, last year's National Conference representative in the NCFL Championship game, are not the same team from the prior year. With the retirement of 2009 NCFL MVP QB Brian Smith, the departure of several All-Stars, including WR Greg Walton and LB Anthony Edwards, the Barnstormers have had a lot to recover from. In their two biggest tests of the season, they have been blown out by the 2009 NCFL Champion North Bay Rattlers and Salinas in Week 6.
Central Coast (2-3) is still in position to be a Wild Card team in the National Conference, but they would have to win a road playoff game against either the Islanders or Spartans. A win next week will get them back to .500 and hopefully provide them with some momentum in the second half of the season.
Salinas (4-1) should be garnering some serious attention with their recent play. Their victory in Week 6’s “Game of the Week” puts everyone on notice that this team is for real. They are on track to be the #2 seed in the playoffs and are gunning for a rematch with the Islanders. If they can continue their stellar play, the Spartans will have a real shot to avenge their Week 1 loss at Pacifica.
Week 7: Game of the Week - Islanders @ Rattlers (week 7)
2010 Version: ’09 Champs Outlast ’08 Champs 10-6
By Michael Barker
Over the past two seasons, the North Bay Rattlers and the Pacifica Islanders have played 120+ minutes of grind it out, tooth-and-nail football. While each normally puts up close to 30 points per game on other opponents, they’ve only mustered three touchdowns combined over 8+ quarters against one another. Last year, one TD was good enough for the Islanders to claim victory. This year, however, one TD was not, as the Rattlers exacted a little revenge for their only 2009 defeat, winning 10-6 at home in Santa Rosa.
While it took overtime for the Islanders to score their first points of the game last year against the vaunted Rattler defense, this year it took on two drives. Pacifica QB Jimmy Collins marched the offense right down the field, ultimately hooking up with WR Greg Walton for the game’s first score. Walton, who also caught a TD pass in the NCFL Championship Game last season against the Rattlers (as a Barnstormer), had 7 catches on the day. The drive covered over 90 yards, but them up only 6-0, as the extra point attempt failed.
Following Pacifica’s impressive series, the story of the game was turnovers. Both teams gave the ball up, but the Islanders turned the ball over 6 times. While North Bay did not capitalize on all of them, they did capitalize on enough. The Islanders lost two fumbles deep in their own territory, once in the 3rd quarter and once in the 4th. The Rattlers offense turned both into scores. First, K Doug Fletcher hit a short field goal to close the gap to 6-3. Then QB Albert Higgs hit WR Corey Nelson for the go ahead touchdown, giving the Rattlers the 10-6 victory.
Though this was a battle of the last two year’s MLFN National Champions and of two undefeated teams, the game really didn’t settle anything. Yes, the Rattlers avenged their 2009 loss to Pacifica, but other than that, nothing is determined. Both teams will make the playoffs and both will be one of the favorite’s to win the 2010 NCFL Championship. There is a lot of work to be done until that point though, especially with teams like the Contra Costa Razorbacks, River City Gators and the Salinas Spartans playing extremely well, everything is up for grabs. The Rattlers gives them bragging rights for the moment, but let’s see how long they last.
