Do you ever have those moments where you know you are watching history before
it unfolds? Then it happens in real time and you watch the victorious team act like
they expected it to happen.
it unfolds? Then it happens in real time and you watch the victorious team act like
they expected it to happen.
Watching the Vintage High football team’s 36-0 win over the No. 9 seeded James
Logan (Union City) Colts in the CIF North Coast Section Div. I playoffs was a prime
example. Vintage, which was the No. 8 seed, had not recorded a postseason win
since beating Christian Brothers for the Sac Joaquin Section Div. I title in 1986.
Logan (Union City) Colts in the CIF North Coast Section Div. I playoffs was a prime
example. Vintage, which was the No. 8 seed, had not recorded a postseason win
since beating Christian Brothers for the Sac Joaquin Section Div. I title in 1986.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Crushers happy but the vibe was such that
they expected the outcome. I consider that a good thing.
they expected the outcome. I consider that a good thing.
When the Crushers football program last experienced a postseason win in 1986,
a) Napa endured a flood of historic proportions, b) Robert Palmer’s hit song
“Addicted to Love” was released, c) ALF was a top-rated TV series that began
and d) Top Gun was the most popular movie. We could go on and on about
significant events of 1986 but that would take away from the 2018 Crushers.
a) Napa endured a flood of historic proportions, b) Robert Palmer’s hit song
“Addicted to Love” was released, c) ALF was a top-rated TV series that began
and d) Top Gun was the most popular movie. We could go on and on about
significant events of 1986 but that would take away from the 2018 Crushers.
To appreciate the Crushers elusive postseason win, you have to appreciate
the journey. Vintage has been to the playoffs on numerous occasions since 1986
but nary a victory was achieved. For 15 years, the Crushers found themselves
lost in the shadow of Napa, and to a lesser extent American Canyon and
Justin-Siena. Even St. Helena would overshadow them. Right now, the Crushers
are a big deal and at the top of the heap in the Valley. For further information:
the journey. Vintage has been to the playoffs on numerous occasions since 1986
but nary a victory was achieved. For 15 years, the Crushers found themselves
lost in the shadow of Napa, and to a lesser extent American Canyon and
Justin-Siena. Even St. Helena would overshadow them. Right now, the Crushers
are a big deal and at the top of the heap in the Valley. For further information:
On Friday night, it was refreshing to see various Vintage High alums on hand. For
openers, there are a few that are coaches, beginning with head coach Dylan Leach
and continuing with assistants Dennis Raines, Andrew Hall, Lenny Dinov, Kyle
Archer and Preston Garcia. Then you have alums ranging from eras like Barry
Forsythe from 1986 to Zach Geary, James Robert and Isaiah Garcia from 2017.
I felt the aforementioned 2017 threesome would be the senior class that gets the
program back to prominence.
openers, there are a few that are coaches, beginning with head coach Dylan Leach
and continuing with assistants Dennis Raines, Andrew Hall, Lenny Dinov, Kyle
Archer and Preston Garcia. Then you have alums ranging from eras like Barry
Forsythe from 1986 to Zach Geary, James Robert and Isaiah Garcia from 2017.
I felt the aforementioned 2017 threesome would be the senior class that gets the
program back to prominence.
Most of my freelance assignments take me to America Canyon. I enjoy my time
there. The people of that school and community treat me well. I am assignment
driven but follow all Napa Valley teams from afar. What the Vintage Crushers have
done since 1992 graduate Dylan Leach took the helm has impressed me. You have
a well-oiled machine from the top. The Crushers are 20-10 under Leach and 15-5
the last two years.
there. The people of that school and community treat me well. I am assignment
driven but follow all Napa Valley teams from afar. What the Vintage Crushers have
done since 1992 graduate Dylan Leach took the helm has impressed me. You have
a well-oiled machine from the top. The Crushers are 20-10 under Leach and 15-5
the last two years.
For just a moment, I will paint myself as a good luck charm. In 2011, I witnessed
St. Helena’s NCS Div. IV 32-7 win over Arcata. That victory marked the first
postseason triumph for the Saints in 34 years. On Friday, I felt blessed to watch
the Crushers break their postseason drought.
St. Helena’s NCS Div. IV 32-7 win over Arcata. That victory marked the first
postseason triumph for the Saints in 34 years. On Friday, I felt blessed to watch
the Crushers break their postseason drought.
I’m not going to get into comparisons of situations because they are too many
variables. The only constants are Brandon Farrell was in his fourth season at
St. Helena. He is still there and the Saints are seeking their eighth postseason
win since the aforementioned win when they host Hoopa Valley in the NCS Div. V
playoffs tonight.
As I watched Vintage break its playoff win drought, I come away thinking it won’t
take 32 years to win another. It may not come seven days from now as the team
visits top-seeded Antioch on Friday but life is strange. I have feeling that as long as
Leach is leading this program, more postseason wins will come.
variables. The only constants are Brandon Farrell was in his fourth season at
St. Helena. He is still there and the Saints are seeking their eighth postseason
win since the aforementioned win when they host Hoopa Valley in the NCS Div. V
playoffs tonight.
As I watched Vintage break its playoff win drought, I come away thinking it won’t
take 32 years to win another. It may not come seven days from now as the team
visits top-seeded Antioch on Friday but life is strange. I have feeling that as long as
Leach is leading this program, more postseason wins will come.
What was impressive about Friday’s win, it was an 8 vs. 9 matchup. You view
it as a coin flip on paper. Yet, the Crushers reached into James Logan’s chest
cavity and ripped its heart out. This program is easy to get behind if you are an
old school football fan. You might beat Vintage with better athletes but physically
they will knock the hell out of you first and ask questions later.
it as a coin flip on paper. Yet, the Crushers reached into James Logan’s chest
cavity and ripped its heart out. This program is easy to get behind if you are an
old school football fan. You might beat Vintage with better athletes but physically
they will knock the hell out of you first and ask questions later.
The matchup at Antioch will be a bear. The top-seeded Panthers are 7-3 and
have a bye. Antioch was 7-3 overall and 2-3 in Bay Valley League competition.
The BVL, however, is no joke. Two teams in that league (Liberty-Brentwood and
Pittsburg) compete in the Open Division in the NCS playoffs.
have a bye. Antioch was 7-3 overall and 2-3 in Bay Valley League competition.
The BVL, however, is no joke. Two teams in that league (Liberty-Brentwood and
Pittsburg) compete in the Open Division in the NCS playoffs.
Even if the ride ends next week, I do not see another 32-year wait for another
playoff win.
playoff win.
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