Central confident, prepared as playoffs begin against Bishop’s

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) - The Central Spartans enter Friday night's Division III playoff opener with confidence, momentum, and the comfort of home field, but they know a major challenge awaits in the Bishop's School.

Senior wide receiver/defensive back Joshua Garcia says the energy around the program has only grown as the postseason approaches, fueled by a tight-knit community and a senior-heavy roster that has come up through the system together.

"Playing the Cardinals is a special thing," Garcia said. "The community, the fans...we're all connected really tight. They all come out to support us…it's really fun to play in front of them."

Garcia added that this year’s group, with roughly 30 seniors, has a rare chemistry.

"This team’s chemistry is different. The brotherhood's different this year,” he said. "We know when to lock in and we know when to be serious. This team really is special."

The Spartans enter the playoffs at 8–2, fresh off a convincing 24–3 Bell Game win over Brawley. Garcia says the team's losses, including close ones to Imperial and Holtville in the Imperial Valley League, were valuable lessons.

"Those losses really shaped us," he said. "We've seen everything in this league, and it's prepared us. Bishop's doesn't have anything we haven't seen before."

Head coach Rookie Peña agrees, crediting the I.V.L.'s depth for sharpening his group.

"We're two possessions away and eight points shy of being 10–0," Peña said. "We definitely understand we’re playoff ready."

But the Spartans are facing one of their toughest tests yet: A Bishop's offense led by electric quarterback Cash Herrera, one of the top arms in California and a Indiana commit.

Peña didn't hold back on the challenge his defense faces.

"He's accounted for over 2,700 yards passing, over 600 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns," Peña said.
"The key to the game will be keeping him contained. He's actually more dangerous when he scrambles than when he's in the pocket."

Peña emphasized discipline in coverage and avoiding breakdowns when Hera extends plays: "Our guys have to understand their zone or their man assignments and not break on the quarterback. We have to keep everything in front of us."

Offensively, Peña says the Spartans must start faster than they did two weeks ago, but believes his group has the firepower to do exactly that.

"We're a highly explosive offense," he said. "We just need to get the ball into our playmakers' hands as quick as possible."

With home-field advantage, a senior-driven roster, and a defense Peña calls "bend but don't break," the Spartans expect Friday's matchup to be a battle and they like where they stand.

"We want to act like we're the underdogs," Garcia said. "We've got something to prove to the San Diego teams."

Central and Bishop's kick off Friday at 7 p.m., with a spot in the next round on the line.