I know they had high hopes that Diaz-Infante could lead Bellarmine back into relevance but after the near completion of his 2nd season it looks like the Bells will have a combined record of either (2-18)/(3-17)/or(4-16). With the lower levels in absolute chaos also, how long does Diaz-Infante get (either by choice or getting fired) to turn the program around? It seems from an outsiders perspective that Bellarmine has conceded its football program for the forseeable future. And dont drop the programs ebb and flow argument because this is not ebbing, this is a complete crash.

PCAL Week 10

Last week 11-2 Overall 108-31

Gabilan (Aptos bye)- Palma’s big win over Hollister probably gets them into the playoffs, again. I wonder if Palma fans ever gets bored of going to the playoffs every year. It is pretty cool for the division that 6 of the 7 teams are going (probably). Of course this week is about the matchup between perennial champion Salinas and up and comer Soquel. Can Salina’s high-power offense get past Soquel’s defense? Will Soquel’s ball control offense be able to not slip up against Salinas’s big play defense? In other action Palma and Monterey look to battle for third place, while Hollister needs to beat Alvarez to secure a post season bid.

Fri 11/01 Hollister (CA) at Alvarez (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm -Alvarez beat Hollister last year, if they do it again then beat Palma next week, they would make the playoffs. I don’t think they have the team this year for that, plus Hollister will want revenge. Hollister 35-14

Fri 11/01 Palma (Salinas, CA) at Monterey (CA), 7:30pm- This should be an entertaining game. Palam will try to keep Monterey’s offense on the sideline (or playing defense). If you can out physical Monterey, you can beat them. Palam needs a bit more consistency from the young QB1 to prevent teams from stacking the box to stop the run. They had that last week vs Hollister. If Monterey QB1 is playing, they win if he is out, Advantage Palma. Palma 21-17

Fri 11/01 Soquel (CA) at Salinas (CA), 7:30pm- I have not seen either team live this year, but watching tape and seeing how each competes, I think Soquel might have a slight edge. Their defense is nasty, and they have this “west coast” ball control offense. Nothing fancy but very effective. That being said, Salinas is the champ until they get dethroned, plus QB1 is healthy and looks to have built a great connection with their dynamic WR1. Taking the champs until they get beat. Salinas 24-23

Mission North- (Scott’s Valley Bye) Back to Chaos. With MVC’s upset win over North County you have 3 teams with 1 loss, plus MVC and their “air raid” offense sitting right their with 2 losses. St Francis and NMC play this weekend and that will help one of them gain separation. I still think Alisal and NMC emerge, but St. Francis and MVC are very much alive. Still not sure how Watsonville beat MVC but lost to Seaside??

Fri 11/01 Alisal (Salinas, CA) vs Watsonville (CA) at Cabrillo College (Aptos, CA), 7:30pm -Alisal probably has the “easiest” path towards the playoff, but they cannot overlook Watsonville who destroyed MVC a few weeks ago. Alisal 24-7

Sat 11/02 Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm -Seaside will keep battling and they may have the athletes in the secondary to slow doan MVC air attack. But after last weeks big win over NMC, Monte Vista has all the momentum. MVC 35-14

Sat 11/02 North Monterey County (Castroville, CA) at St. Francis (Watsonville, CA), 12:30pm- Winner takes a huge step forward towards the playoffs, while the loser takes huge step back. I think that NMC rebounds from last weeks upset loss. NMC 21-20

Mission South (King City Bye)- North Salinas got with in 2 scores in the third quarter last week but the game vs Carmel was never in doubt. This Carmel team is very good and will be the prohibitive favorite in the CCS DIII Playoffs. So now North Salinas will have to lick its wounds and make sure it secures 2nd place. Soledad played a good non-league schedule and will be a tough out for North Salinas. The rest of the teams in the Mission South are just looking to build for next year.

Fri 11/01 Carmel (CA) at Greenfield (CA), 7:30pm -Greenfield has been a little bit of a disappointment this year. I did not think they would win, just thought they would be more competitive. Still like what I ma seeing with the large turnout for the program. Carmel 48-14

Fri 11/01 Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA) at Pacific Grove (CA), 7:30pm; Rancho has really regressed this year. They will probably be regulated to the Santa Lucia and see if it can rebuild. PG has had a good year and will probably challenge in the next 2 years. PG 34-7

Soledad (CA) at North Salinas (Salinas, CA), 1:00pm- A Saturday afternoon game on campus at North Salinas. I like it!! If North Salinas wins, they secure 2nd place and a playoff bid. If Soledad wins, they will have control of the playoff bid and need to beat KC next week to secure it. Upset special. Soledad 21-18

Santa Lucia (Pajaro Baye)- Clash of the Titans this weekend in the Santa Cruz Mountains. SLV hosts RLS in a heavyweight battle. The Coveted Santa Lucia Division Championship is on the line! Forget Soquel V Salinas or Newman v Marin Catholic. Those guys are all going to the playoff win or lose. Neither SLV or RLS make the field as an at large, so this game is for all the marbles. Way more pressure and excitement.

Fri 11/01 Santa Cruz (CA) at Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA), 7:00pm -Harbor embarrassed a shorthanded Santa Cruz team last year. Look for the Cardinals to get some revenge. Santa Cruz 21-10

Fri 11/01 Gonzales (CA) vs Marina (CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm- Marina just playing out the season until they can start hosting games next year. Gonzales 34-7

Sat 11/02 Stevenson (Pebble Beach, CA) at San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA), 2:30pm -RLS is at full strength, this roster probably beats PG and Greenfield earlier in the year. SLV is still undefeated and has the better wins over Scott’s Valley, Greenfield and South SF. It will come down to SLV’s Defense (allowing 5.7 Points Per SL game) Vs RLS offense (Scoring 43.7 Point per SL game). SLV has not faced an offense this good. RLS (duh) 31-28

Former Modesto Christian Stars Bj Davis, Jamari Phillips, battle. It will be interesting to see these two match-up against each other as they have shared the castle on Sisk Road!! What would have happened if Jamari had stayed/ Would BJ been so dominate his senior year? Did Jamari pass on a possible Open title? We all have our thoughts, but now we can watch them at the collegiate level and perhaps the Pros.