With all the formalities complete, the California football team is one step away from accomplishing Goal No. 2 in head coach Marty Albertson's three-goal plan for the season.
The first goal was to win a championship in the Tri-County Conference, which the Pintos did with relative ease. Now, they have a chance to win their third consecutive district title after beating Southern Boone 63-6 in Friday's Class 3 District 6 semifinal on Halloween night.
The third goal, which Albertson isn't ready to discuss, is a state championship. The Pintos lost in the state semifinals the past two years.
"We're one game away from that second goal," he said. "We have to get that, and then we'll go on and think about the next one."
Another district title is not expected to come easy. The top-seeded Pintos (11-0), ranked No. 2 in Class 3, host rival and second-seeded Blair Oaks (9-2) in the district final at 7 p.m. Friday at Riley Field. California beat the Falcons 21-10 in its Homecoming game Oct. 3.
"Whenever Blair Oaks comes to town, they bring a good game to us," said Pintos junior linebacker Brandan Gump, who finished with 12 tackles against Southern Boone. "It's two good teams coming out to play the sport we all love, so it's great competition."
After expressing disappointment with his team's effort in the first half of the district opener against Versailles, Albertson was extremely pleased after the Southern Boone game. He expects more of the same as the Pintos prepare for the Falcons.
"I think our kids will be super-focused," he said. "The first time we played Blair Oaks, it was a tough battle. It really was a tough battle. We know they're going to bring everything they have. It's always tough to beat the same team twice. We're going to have to be super-focused and play our best game.
"It's a good rivalry. They have a good program and we have a good program. When you go out there, neither team wants to lose. It's going to be a battle all four quarters."
While the Pintos have shown an ability to score points on the offensive side of the ball, the district final could be decided by which team's defense plays better. California's defense had four interceptions and one fumble recovery against Southern Boone, which scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to avoid being shut out.
"You have to minimize Blair Oaks' offense as much as you can," Pintos defensive coordinator Geary Labuary said. "You're not totally going to stop Blair Oaks. They are too talented and their offensive coaches do a great job preparing their kids. You have to minimize, as much as you can, the plays they run best and hope to shut the other ones down."
Although their first matchup against the Falcons came in Week 7 of the regular season, Gump believes a lot has changed since then.
"They've gotten better, and we've gotten better," he said. "We have to play our game and can't let them get to us. There's really no hate for each other. We just know it's a good game coming. We look forward to it."
In the semifinal against Southern Boone, the Pintos jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead on quarterback Jaden Barr's 15-yard scoring run and Walker Borghardt's 63-yard touchdown reception from Barr. California scored five touchdowns in the second quarter, including Borghardt's 50-yard touchdown scamper, to open a commanding 49-0 lead at the intermission.
"We had a good week of practice and we were more focused in practice," Albertson said. "I'm proud of our kids. They came out focused and never let Southern Boone have a chance to get in the ball game."
Despite all the fun Halloween night can offer, from the cheerleaders and marching band members dressing in costumes, to the ticket-window attendants handing out candy, the cold and frigid temperatures made it tough on everybody to be outside.
"I would rather be a little bit warmer, truthfully, but in Missouri you have to play in all types of weather," Albertson said. "You have to be ready for it. When you're out there playing, it's great weather for them; they don't get as hot. The guys on the sidelines and the coaches, we're the ones that freeze."
Barr led the Pintos with 208 yards passing and four touchdowns, and 72 rushing yards and two more scores. Borghardt added 63 yards receiving and 58 yards rushing, while Allan Burger caught four passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns.