Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

Dos Palos is playoff bound

Team enters Central Section action as 10th seed despite 5-5 record overall

FIREBAUGH -- Dos Palos High had never lost a football game to Firebaugh heading into Thursday's matchup, and still hasn't after a 33-28 Broncos victory.

The win clinched a playoff spot for Dos Palos at 5-5. The Central Section allows all teams into the playoffs since most divisions don't fill a 16-team bracket, but DP has a rule requiring a .500 record to go.

The win gave DP the No. 10 seed in the Central Section Division IV playoffs, something DP coach Frank Lemos didn't feel great about. The Broncos will travel to No. 7 Selma (6-4) tonight in the opening round.

"When they give a six seed to a 3-7 team, the only justification I can see is travel distance," Lemos said, referring to No. 6 Arvin's record. "I believe if it had been done based on records and none of this other stuff, we're realistically a 7 seed. But, it is what it is."

Selma finished the season with a 42-7 loss to Kingsburg, which defeated DP 62-0 in the second week of the season. But the Broncos are playing a different brand of football than Kingsburg saw at the beginning of the season.

"Things have gotten better," Lemos said. "We finally realized who we are and what we can do, and who can get it done with us. We try to utilize everybody on the roster. It's a true team concept."

Lemos said he called up 21 JV players, fresh off an 8-2 record and a league championship, to join the varsity team for the playoffs.

Running back Kailan Hill carried the team against Firebaugh, rushing 32 times for 264 yards and four touchdowns.

"Kailan was huge. Kailan pretty much saved us from checking in our gear tomorrow," said Dos Palos quarterback Christian Escalante, who spent most of the night handing the ball to Hill. "his uncle is Kenny James, so it kind of runs in the family."

DP's other touchdown came on a 20-yard Isaac Suarez run.

Hill gave the Broncos the lead for good on a 1-yard plunge with 9:34 remaining. Firebaugh's next drive stalled on the DP 46-yard line, one of the few defensive stops by either team.

Two plays into DP's next drive, Escalante launched a pass over the middle which was picked off by Firebaugh's Carlos Ramos, giving the Eagles hope.

Firebaugh quarterback Markus Espinoza hit Christian Patlan for a 41-yard pass on the next play, putting Firebaugh at the 9-yard line.

Two runs and two incomplete passes later, Dos Palos forced a turnover on downs with 2 minutes left, giving DP the win.

Dos Palos played the game without leading receiver Jerry Warren, who injured his ankle in last week's win over Avenal and will miss the rest of football season and at least part of basketball season.

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at 388-6565 or by e-mail at sports@losbanosenterprise.com