The only thing Woodside coach Steve Nicolopulos knows for sure is he doesn't really know what to expect from Westmont.
The Wildcats will find out quick enough when they face the Warriors in the finals of the Central Coast Section Medium School Division championship game Friday night at Milpitas High.
Nicolopulos said he could only get one game tape on the sixth-seeded Warriors — last week's 31-10 win over No. 2 Palo Alto.
"They're a good, balanced team," Nicolopulos said. "They play tough. They are tough.
"I've only seen them once. That's really all I know."
At this point in the season, it doesn't really matter what the other team does. Coaches are more concerned with the way their team is playing and concentrate on preparing to play their best.
"(We need to) just keep playing the way we've been playing," Nicolopulos said. "(We need to make) make less mistakes. We've been doing a pretty good job of that."
The way the undefeated and top-seeded Wildcats have gotten this far have been on the feet of running back Tyreece Jacks, the arm and decision making of quarterback Julian Edelman, the big plays of receiver/defensive back Spencer Garrison and a ferocious defense.
Jacks, who finished second in the county in rushing, has erupted in the postseason. In two games — a 56-0 drubbing of Evergreen Valley and a 39-6 pasting of Terra Nova - Jacks accumulated 490 yards on just 37 carries, an eye-popping average of 13.2 yards a carry. On top of that, he's scored eight touchdowns, including six against Evergreen Valley.
Edelman, in two playoff games, has accounted for 217 yards of offense — 105 rushing, 112 passing — and two touchdowns. Garrison had a 54-yard touchdown catch as well as a 65-yard interception return for a score against Terra Nova last week.
The Woodside defense is just as impressive. In 12 games, the Wildcats are giving up just 12.4 points per game and only six points in two playoff wins. The Wildcats have allowed only 301 yards in those two wins — combined.
Westmont (9-3), however, is no slouch itself. The sixth-seeded Warriors have won six games in a row and beat No. 3 Mountain View (27-19) and No. 2 Palo Alto in reaching the finals.
They feature a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense. The offense is led by quarterback Kevin Pham, who has thrown for nearly 1,800 yards and 15 touchdowns against only seven interceptions. He's also rushed for 254 yards.
The Warriors have a trio of receivers who can get the job done. Chantz Staden, Casey Modini and Ryan Kanazaki have combined for 15 touchdowns and over 1,600 yards.
Running back Daniel Weller averages 107 yards rushing per game and scored 15 touchdowns.
The Westmont defense is equally impressive. The Warriors are allowing only 16 points game this season. Arthur Esterkin leads the team in tackles with 131.
No matter what happens Friday night, Nicolopulos looks at the season as a complete success.
"It's been a success since Day One," Nicolopulos said. "The kids are great and that's what it's all about. Winning games and all that stuff is icing on the cake."
Prediction: Westmont has not faced a team with speed like Woodside. Even if the Warriors slow down Jacks, the Wildcats have plenty of other players to burn them. Woodside 35, Westmont 21.
Sports Editor
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CA Is Burning said:
Makes sense, 500 union jobs, millions in donations from unions to democrats.
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Providing Feedback said:
Rick Bonilla said:
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