They play their own unique brand of football, and I can’t help
but love it.
They play their own unique brand of football, and I can’t help but love it.
They are the Central Coast Barnstormers – our newest locally-based semi-pro football team.
The Stormers – who have played their home games this season at South Valley Junior High School – are predominantly made up of local players from the Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Hollister area as well as other top athletes from throughout the state.
This year, the Central Coast gridmen – members of the Golden State Amateur Football League – have already amassed an impressive 8-1 overall record and 3-1 record in the Southern Division of the American Football Conference. They sit alone in first place – one game ahead of the defending champion South Bay Buccaneers – and have clinched a playoff spot with two road games left.
In week-10 on June 21, the Barnstormers will hit the road to take on the Tofa Warriors and then in week-11 on June 28 they will visit the Fresno Freedom. The first-round of the playoffs begin Saturday, July 12 and the second-round opens the following week. The Stormers could host a playoff game if they win out in their final two games.
I suggest making time to go watch them do their thing if they return home for playoff action. The conference championship will be on July 26 and the Golden State Bowl will be at Kezar Stadium on August 2 at 2 p.m.
The way the Barnstormers have been playing this season they are definitely contenders for the championship.
Like a big red machine, the Barnstormers have improved in each of their four seasons from 2-5 in 2000 to 4-5 in 2001 to 6-3 in 2002 to 8-1 thus far in 2003.
This season, the Stormers are led by star quarterback Bryan Smith – who leads the league in passing with a 156.4 rating*. Smith, a Gavilan College alum, has completed 112-of-195 passes for a 57.4 completion percentage. The team leader has passed for 1,703 yards, 20 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.
Complimenting Smith on offense is the Stormers’ running game – anchored by punishing back Tommy Jimenez, who attended San Jose City College. Jimenez is among the league-leaders in rushing with 382 yards on 68 carries and six touchdowns for a 5.76 average per carry.
In addition, scatback Arvin Silvestre – a Milipitas High alum – adds another dimension with his speed and agility. Silvestre maintains a 6.94 yards-per-carry average, while teammate Ed Wynn holds a 6.65 yards average.
Some of Smith’s hot targets are San Benito High alum Michael Reyes (21 grabs, 325 yards, 1 TD); UNLV’s Slade Williams (19 catches, 268 yards, 2 TDs); Silvestre (19 receptions, 234 yards, 3 TDs) and Hamilton High alum David Gittens (16 grabs, 323 yards, 5 TDs).
While the offense has put up big numbers, the Stormers’ bone-crushing defense has kept opposing team’s in check – led by Hartnell College alum Joe King, the league-leader in tackles with 54 and four sacks. Always causing havoc in the backfield is Morgan Hill’s Jeff Hewitt – also a product of Gavilan College. Hewitt has accumulated four sacks, four interceptions and 35 tackles.
The Central Coast defense is also highlighted by Gilroy High alums, Alfredo Echauri – who has 32 tackles, four sacks and one interception – and George Plaza – who has 16 tackles, one sack and four interceptions.
But enough with the stats.
These guys are simply fun to watch. They can hit. They can block. They can pass. They can catch. They can run. And they win.
Last Saturday at South Valley, the Stormers were in a back-and-forth battle with the Capital City Fury. It took an all-out team effort on both sides of the ball to notch a thrilling 20-19 victory. The Stormers showed no lagging issues from week-eight’s heart-breaking 31-30 loss to the South Bay Bucs. They remained composed and focused, and outlasted an athletic Fury squad.
After each game, the two teams meet at midfield and give a post-game prayer together. A refreshing way to end their work day following a grueling, hard-hitting football game.
I’ve watched the Stormers at their best and worst in the last two weeks of the season. Patrolling the sidelines, these athletes have shown me they have the same heart and desire I’ve seen in almost every Gilroy High and Gavilan College team. I hope the road is kind to them in these final two weeks and I also hope that the community rallies around them throughout the playoffs.
* All statistics taken off the league website are updated through week-eight. The stats from the Stormers’ 20-19 win over Capital City were not available.
Scott Forstner, a native New Yorker, is the sports editor for The Gilroy Dispatch. To respond to his column, please e-mail him at sp****@gi************.com.
