SALINAS, CA — Salinas High quarterback Zach McDermott was coming off a career-high 340 yards passing in a loss last week to Palma.
The senior wasn’t anywhere near as successful in the first half against crosstown rival Alvarez Thursday night completing only 1 of his 7 first half attempts for three yards and an interception.
But then there was the second half.
McDermott completed all five of his second half attempts - including three for touchdowns - and running back Bruce Leighton rushed for a season-high 178 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries to lead the Cowboys to a 56-29 victory over the visiting Eagles in a Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division game at The Pit.
“Our line did a great job today,” said McDermott. “It opens up lanes for Bruce gaining a ton of yards, scoring a couple of touchdowns. Also let me stay in the pocket so I could deliver the passes.”
Conner Wolfe, Leland Dudley, Julian Frias, Fernando Fernandez and Brock McMillen opened the holes for Leighton and gave McDermott time to deliver an efficient passing line. McDermott finished 6-of-12 for 118 yards, threw for three touchdowns and an interception to go along with 65 yards rushing on 11 carries including an 11-yard touchdown.
Leighton also added a 17-yard receiving touchdown on his lone catch of the game for the Cowboys. Kevin Crosby (28) and Josh Olivarria (16) caught McDermott’s other two passing touchdowns.
“I tried to settle down as much as I could and just made the passes,” said McDermott. “Hit my receivers because once I hit them they’ll be good in space and can score from there.”
Salinas went into half up 21-13 over Alvarez and broke the game open in the third quarter.
After forcing a three-and-out on the first offensive possession of the second half, the Cowboys went 66 yards on six plays capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass from McDermott to Leighton.
“I came in ready, last week I was a little slow,” said Leighton. “This week I was ready off the bat and it was just that good line play, they fired off first play and manhandled.”
Leighton also blocked an extra-point attempt in the win.
Alvarez (6-2, 2-2) responded with a five-play 80-yard drive that was capped by an Emilio Orejel 22-yard touchdown run. After a successful two-point conversion Salinas led 28-21 with 7:27 in the third but the score would quickly change.
On the Cowboys ensuing possession Leighton took the handoff 60 yards for a touchdown.
“Our o-line just carried us the whole time,” Leighton said. “They push it they hold the line up for Zach and blow holes up for me.”
After being forced to punt things went from bad to worse for the Eagles.
Not only did Salinas score another touchdown to make it 42-21 but the Eagles lost star quarterback Edric Gamble — who also plays defensive back — for the rest of the game with a lower leg on the same drive.
Gamble was having yet another great game running the ball — 193 yards on 13 carries — and threw for a touchdown on 3-of-9 passing for 39 yards up until that point.
Alvarez coach Dave Bottom said after the game that Gamble is fine and will be good to go next week against Seaside.
Salinas tacked on another touchdown on a McDermott 28-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Crosby with 1:32 in the fourth quarter to make it 49-21 to all but seal it for the Cowboys.
“We made some adjustments offensively in the second half and put some points on the board in the second half,” said Salinas coach Steve Goodbody. “When you play a really good team you have to do that. The offensive line was outstanding they gave Bruce some great running lanes and pass blocked very well.”
With the win (5-4, 3-1) secured its seventh straight Central Coast Section playoff appearance.
The Cowboys wrap up regular season play on Nov. 7 when they host crosstown rival North Salinas (2-6, 0-4) at 7:30 p.m. before earning a much deserved bye before their first playoff game.
“It’ll be fun they aren’t having the best year but we are going to prepare for them like they are undefeated,” said Leighton of facing North Salinas. “Come out and give it to them and not take a step back with playoffs coming up. We got to keep building because we haven’t hit all strides.”
Ceasar Ramirez ran for 98 yards on 13 carries including a two-yard touchdown run and KJ Matthews had a nine-yard scoring reception in the loss for Alvarez.
The Eagles will host the Spartans (1-8, 1-3) who picked up its first victory of the season Friday with a 28-6 over North Salinas on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
“We just didn’t play well, we made some mistakes against a really good team,” said Bottom of his team’s two turnovers that led to two Salinas touchdowns. “We got ourselves in a hole and couldn’t make it up.
“We have Seaside and Palma left and we are in a good playoff spot right now so we are going to focus on getting ourselves back into our style of good football.”
