Gutsy play shows how much Alemany has changed

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When the decision came to kick an extra point or win a share of the Mission League title on a successful two-point conversion, the answer was easy for Alemany Coach Dean Herrington (pictured).

‘We had to go for two,’ Herrington said. ‘It wouldn’t be fair for either team with the league championship on the line.’

Besides, Herrington was confident about his team’s chances. ‘We were really confident with the play we went with and I was pretty sure it’d work.’

The play didn’t unfold as planned, but RB Antonio Bray made a sharp cut after he found a hole in the opposing defense and ran into the end zone, giving the Warriors a 22-21 victory over Chaminade and a share of its first league title since 1998. More importantly, the victory also gave the Warriors the league’s top seeding for the playoffs.

‘With the teams we’ve played this season, there’s no reason we can’t make a long run in the playoffs,’ Herrington said. ‘We’re now one of the teams that are favored to win and we have to show a level of accountability.’

What’s with this new attitude over at Alemany? Gutsy play calling and now a coach saying the Warriors are a team to be feared in the playoffs? Well, you better believe it because the boys over on Rinaldi aren’t going to be content with making the postseason for the first time since 1999.

Herrington and his staff have turned around this afterthought of a football program and there’s no reason why it can’t challenge Western Division big dogs Culver City, Dominguez and Palmdale for the title.

And I’m sure there will be some wild times over at Chi-Chi’s Pizza in Santa Clarita for at least the next couple Fridays because no one parties like a Herrington after a playoff win.

- Austin Knoblauch
- Photo courtesy of Brian MacGregor (Thanks)