Windsor finishes up tough campaign with 3-7 record
The Jaguars had their hopes for a North Coast Section playoff bid foiled on Friday in a critical clash at Maria Carrillo, as the Pumas erased an early 10-point deficit to escape with a 28-19 victory.
The loss effectively knocked the Jags out of postseason contention and lifted Maria Carrillo into the NCS Division 2 playoffs.
Windsor finished the 2018 campaign with an overall record of 3-7.
“Unfortunately, this game was a season ender,” Jags head coach Brad Stibi said. “We played strong in the first half but lost momentum in the second.”
It didn’t take long for the Jag’s brain trust to start looking to the future, with 29 possible returnees to next year’s squad.
“Can’t wait to get started with the kids coming back,” Stibi said.
Jags strong start
Windsor came out focused and ready for Friday’s road clash at Carrillo, drawing first blood on the second play from scrimmage when quarterback Nick Pariani hooked up with receiver Landen Estrela on a screen pass that went for 50 yards and a touchdown. Otis Cain added the point after kick and the Jags led 7-0.
After another three and out from the Pumas, the Jaguars padded their lead when a drive led to a short Cain field goal and a 10-0 edge.
The Pumas clawed back late in the opening period when they connected on a five-yard scoring pass, cutting the deficit to 10-7 at the end of one.
The Jags answered early in the second quarter when a nice drive led to a 5-yard touchdown burst from running back Lorenzo Leon for a brief 17-7 advantage.
But Carrillo seized momentum midway through the period when they cashed in on a pair of short touchdown passes to grab a 21-17 halftime lead.
The Windsor defense dug in for a hard-nosed second half, stopping one would-be Puma threat on an Estrela interception at the goal line. Late in the third period, the Jaguars pounced on a botched punt reception by Carrillo in the end zone to close the gap to 21-19 at the end of three.
But a win was not in the cards for Windsor when a Jags fumble and Pumas recovery led to a short touchdown burst. The Pumas then ran out the clock to preserve a 28-19 Carrillo victory.
Pariani wrapped up a solid season under center with 11 completions on 24 pass attempts and one touchdown. Leon led a strong ground attack with 21 carries for 136 yards and a score. Estrela was the top pass catcher, hauling in six receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Oscar Mayorga led the Jags with 11 tackles, while Leon chipped in seven.
