MONTEREY >> Jackson Scott had been used in pass coverage all night — until the final 15 seconds, Salinas High’s last defensive play of the game.

That’s when the Cowboys linebacker was instructed to come on a blitz on fourth down with the ball 3 yards from the end zone, and the game in the balance.

“I saw his (quarterbacks) eyes look at me before the snap,” Scott said. “I went after him. I knew this was my chance to end the game with a sack. I’ve had some big plays this year. This ranks at the top.”

Scott’s third sack of the game on Monterey quarterback Preston White ended the drama, as the Cowboys recorded a come-from-behind 28-21 win over Monterey at Monterey Peninsula College Friday night.

“I had more than a few palpations,” Salinas coach Steve Zenk said. “I kept talking to myself about controlling my breathing. A game like this just adds to our confidence. We kept the focus on one play at a time.”

The six-time reigning Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division champions are now 41-2 during their run of titles, stopping Monterey in the red zone as time wound down for the second straight year.

“This wasn’t our Super Bowl,” Monterey coach Alex Besaw said. “There are more games ahead of us. Win or lose, there isn’t one game that makes our season or defines 2024. We’ll come back Monday with the same approach.”

Owners of four consecutive wins, the Cowboys are 5-1 this fall, with their only loss coming against Clovis, which is ranked No. 1 in the Central Section and No. 26 in the state.

Yet, for the second time in three weeks, Salinas found itself locked in a seven-point game with an opponent driving down the field, before the defense came up with a stop to foil attempts of an upset.

“If you’re going to be a championship team, you have to find avenues to win close games,” Zenk said. “I don’t even remember the last three plays of the game. What’s important is how much these kids care and play for each other.”

Scott, who picked up a fumble last week and darted 72 yards for a touchdown in Salinas’ win over Alvarez, nearly had a pick in the second quarter that went through his hands.

While locked in coverage most of the game, he found himself coming up to make countless tackles against a Toreadores’ squad that saw tailback Enobong Wirth run for 206 yards on 43 carries.

“I told the kids at halftime one play isn’t going to tie the game,” said Besaw, in reference to being down 20-7. “Let’s get back to establishing the run and keeping our offense on the field. We had momentum. I thought we controlled the second half.”

Wirth ran with a purpose in establishing career marks in both carries and yards, while rushing for a pair of touchdowns. Yet, when Salinas’ defense was able to bottle him up near the goal line, the call came for a pass on fourth down.

“We were trying to throw a slant over the middle,” Besaw said.” Kavon (Collins) got run over by a linebacker. That forced Preston to roll out of the pocket. It took him off his progression. Salinas got pressure on him.”

While the Cowboys’ defense has produced four touchdowns this fall, with the pick-six in the final seconds against Palma being the highlight, Scott’s sack will rank up there as well.

“I was blitzing,” Scott said. “Honestly, what was going through my mind after the play was, I was just happy the game was over and I did my job for this team. It’s on to the next game.”

The Cowboys, who will visit Aptos — 34-31 winners over Palma — next Friday, were forced to start freshman Michael Andrade at quarterback after it was determined earlier in the week that Rico Maturino’s sprained ankle wasn’t responding to treatment.

“I’ve never had a freshman start for us since I’ve been here,” Zenk said. “We brought him up because he’s calm, has a big football IQ and is a good passer. We didn’t make the decision until Thursday. When I told him, his reaction was ‘OK.’”

Andrade made smart decisions, completing 11-of-20 passes for 138 yards and no interceptions, while picking up a big first down on a 16-yard run in the second quarter.

“I don’t know if it was adversity,” Scott said. “We had faith in him. We just had to do our job. This is a huge win for our confidence. It has nothing to do with the other team.”

Andrade orchestrated three first half touchdown drives, with Brandon Palma rushing for two touchdowns and Emarrcis Turner taking a reverse and darting 18 yards for another.

Palma and Dayven Marquez each went over 100 yards rushing, as the pair combined for 53 carries in helping Salinas control the first half, taking the pressure off Andrade.

“We’ve struggled from playing from behind and overcoming adversity,” said Besaw, in reference to Monterey’s two previous losses. “We didn’t overcome all of it. But we continued to battle.”

Running behind an offensive line that created small seams, Wirth broke tackles all night in getting into the open field, as Monterey (3-3) ran off 15 straight points in the second half to take a 21-20 lead with 5:58 left in the game.

Shutout in the second half, Salinas refocused on its final drive, marching down field on the strength of its running game, leading to Palma’s third rushing touchdown. Zenk then turned to his defense to make the biggest goal-line stand of the season.

“The message to the kids afterward is the sun will come tomorrow, and we can be proud of how hard we fought,” Besaw said. “Let’s get ready for Hollister, where it will be a festive atmosphere.”