Cal Jones Field has witnessed some of the best football battles this season and last Friday’s semifinal was no exception. The Central Spartans hosted the University City Centurions, the No. 4 seed, with a trip to the championship on the line. Light rain. Chilly air. Loud crowd. That’s playoff football in the Imperial Valley.

It all begins with an idea.

Coach Rookie Peña says last week’s halftime told him everything he needed to know about his team. Down 17–14, the seniors and the coaching staff regrouped, adjusted, and flipped the momentum in a second-half shutout that sent Central to the CIF semifinals.

Spartans’ Pick Party Leads to CIF Semifinals