GREENFIELD — This year the Greenfield Bruins football team had the best season in school history and earned a trip back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Going into the playoffs last Friday, they had a tough match-up against Branham, who was the top team in the Santa Teresa Foothill League.
This season the Bruins clinched their first football title in school history when they knocked off the Gonzales Spartans on Nov. 3. By winning the Santa Lucia Division, Greenfield clinched the league-only playoffs bid.
The last time the Bruins went to the playoffs was back in 2010, when they lost to Half Moon Bay.
Assigned by the CCS committee, Greenfield received the No. 7 seed in the Division IV playoff bracket. That would mean they would be matched up against Branham, who was first in the Santa Teresa Foothill League with a 9-2 record.
Earlier this season, Branham beat Soledad 55-26 back in week three.
To start the Nov. 10 playoff game, it was Branham who scored first on the tough Bruins defense that only allowed 19 points in their last four games.
With an improved offense this year, the Bruins were able to answer back. Bruins starting quarterback Naythen Hernandez found Hector Garcia for a 43-yard touchdown pass.
Hernandez finished the season with 14 touchdowns.
After tying the game at 7-7, Branham controlled it from that point on. They ended the Bruins’ season, beating them 41-14.
With the loss, the Greenfield’s magical run came to an end, but what they did this year would go down in history as the best football season so far in the school’s history.
“Not the outcome we wanted, but a great ride,” said Adam Barsenas, Greenfield’s head football coach. “Thank you to our community and administration for all the support you have shown these young men.”
