Health & Fitness
A Win, Sure; But Redlands Needs More
Redlands got the win it needed Friday night at Eisenhower. But if they want to get into a playoff spot, they'll have to be better against A.B. Miller next Thursday.
Well, congratulations Redlands High fans, the good news is your team still has a chance to make the postseason.
The bad news? The Terriers are going to have to play a lot better than they did Friday night in their 35-15 victory over Eisenhower.
Yes, it was cold and wet. A cold drizzle came down on and off, keeping the 300 or so spectators who braved the elements bundled up under umbrellas.
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But that doesn't excuse the lacadasical play that the Terriers exhibited at times during the game -- especially after taking a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter.
This was a game they needed to win. A game they had to have to set up their showdown with A.B. Miller for the final playoff spot from the Citrus Belt League Thursday evening. There was no reason to take the foot off the gas pedal until the fourth quarter.
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Instead, Redlands got its big lead, and seemed satisfied that it would be enough ... and it should have been against Eisenhower. But this is the CBL, you don't have the luxury of letting up in this league.
And with a 2-6 overall record going in to Friday night's action, Redlands hadn't earned the right to let up on a team. Especially when the Terriers weren't exactly getting beat by teams -- but beating themselves thanks to turnovers.
And so, Ike stuck around. They scored the final touchdown of the first half, making it 28-7. Then, after the Terriers' second turnover of the third quarter, the Eagles got within two scores, cashing in from the short field, and then scoring on a two-point conversion. It was 28-15, and Redlands had played it back to interesting.
Thankfully for Terrier fans, that seemed to wake the team in blue and white up. They went back to basics. Simple handoffs, grind it out. Wind the clock.
Maybe they were trying to get too cute. Trying out plays with a big lead.
But on a cold and rainy night? Get your points, stay healthy, run out the clock and get home.
So now its on to the season finale. One game for all the marbles.
(Well, two games for all the marbles -- Redlands East Valley and Yucaipa will put their perfect seasons on the line for the CBL title Thursday night at Yucaipa.)
Win, and you get an extra week. Lose, and everyone turns in their gear and gets to wonder about a season that could have gone so much better.
