Local semi-pro gridmen dominate in 61-20 win over Santa Cruz
GILROY *– Before a hometown crowd of more than 200 supporters at South Valley Junior High in Gilroy, the Central Coast Barnstormers dominated yet another opponent in the semi-pro gridiron ranks – remaining a perfect 6-0 with Saturday’s 61-20 romp of the Santa Cruz Sharks.
The action got under way with the powerful Barnstormer defense taking the grass first after the opening coin toss – forcing a quick three-and-out by the Sharks’ offense, capped by linebacker Paul Plaza’s quarterback sack.
It did not take long for the Barnstormers to strike as quarterback Brian Smith found four-year veteran receiver Craig Shera on a 48-yard fade in the corner of the end zone for the first of many touchdowns.
Following another three-and-out for Santa Cruz plus a failed fake punt attempt, Smith looked the other way and hit teammate Raymond Cook on a short seam for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
The Sharks then caught a break when receiver Rich Atkinson pulled in a 52-yard tipped deflection off the outstretched hand of Stormers’ cornerback John Rios for a score.
But the locals came right back as Smith hooked up with Rigo Munoz on another seam from the right side to extend to a two-touchdown lead and then connected with wide-out David Gittens for a commanding 28-7 advantage.
Stormers’ George Plaza, the league’s interception leader, picked off his fifth of the season to get things started early in the second quarter. Once again giving the ball back to the lethal Central Coast offense – which marched down the field and scored on a four-yard run from back Tommy Jimenez.
The Stormers’ defense got the job done again as Larry Plaza – the youngest of three brothers on the squad – recovered a fumble deep in Sharks’ territory. But Sharks’ cornerback Daryl Williams stepped in front of a Smith toss at the six-yard line and returned it to the Santa Cruz 48. Williams then switched sides for the Sharks and pulled in a 48-yard touchdown grab to close the gap to 34-14.
With the Sharks mounting a comeback, Smith gave them even more confidence by tossing another interception – which was returned all the way for another Santa Cruz touchdown. After a blocked extra point attempt, the Barnstormers had had enough.
Opening the fourth quarter minus Smith – who took a hard hit in the back – second-stringer Slade Williams came in and called his own number on a quarterback sneak for another Barnstormers’ score.
After forcing the Sharks to punt once again, Stormers return man Jamar Smith ran back a work of art 42 yards to the one-yard line. From there, running back John Kennedy punched it in – pushing the score up to 48.
The Stormers then pulled away – scoring twice more in the final 5:35, including a 48-yard scamper via Jimenez.
Up next, San Jose’s Almaden Rams will host the Stormers on Saturday at San Jose High School. Kick-off is at 1 p.m. The next home game for the undefeated locals is June 7 at 1 p.m. at South Valley Junior High against the defending champion South Bay Buccaneers.
