PCAL Week 11
Game of the Year: Version III, kicks off this weekend in the Gabilan. Palma has a shout to finish undefeated in league and claim the Gabilan title all to themselves with a victory over crosstown rival Salinas. Palma, until recently, had dominated this series. But Salinas has won the last 4 matchups. This should be a classic: Palma’s Defense vs. Salinas Offense. If Salinas wins it will create a 3 way tie with Aptos for the title. Those three teams and Hollister are all set for the Playoffs. The bottom of the Gabilan was not as strong this year, I would expect Alisal to stay but Santa Cruz and Alverez will probably be moved down.
Soquel secured an undefeated season in the Mission division and will take a bye this week as it waits for it’s playoff seed. In one of the larger upsets of the year, Carmel outscored Monterey last week 51-44. With the win Carmel still has a chance to secure third place, with lots of help and a playoff spot. This game really surprised me as Monterey seems to have regressed into some of the bad habits of a year ago. Monterey needs to beat Seaside to ensure a playoff spot, another loss could eliminate them. Soquel and Seaside are in, Monterey, Scott’s Valley and Carmel are fighting for the last spot. PCAL Booster breaks it down in his post. North Salinas and maybe MVC will probably be ticketed to the Cypress, while Soquel and Seaside or Monterey will be headed up to the Gabilan.
I was hoping @Streakone would include this battle for the league title between St Francis and Soledad. St. Francis is 9-0 while Soledad is 8-1, it only blemish by 6 points to a really good Soquel team in week 1. Both Defense’s only give up 9.3 pts per game. This should be an epic match up. The winner is guaranteed a playoff spot, hopefully the loser receives an at large bid. Another great game will feature 2 long time rivals PG V King City. These 2 teams have played each other for over 75 years. Watsonville Vs North County will give 1 of theses teams their lone league victory. The Winner probably stays while the loser will be kicked down to the Santa Lucia. I expect St. Francis and Soledad to be bumped up to the Mission.
It’s all over in the Santa Lucia as RLS has won the title! Bring on Serra!!! It is the 2nd football title for RLS. There was a time when RLS competed in the old MTAL when it consisted of: RLS, Carmel, PG, King City, Gonzales, Alisal, Palma and Hollister. So, the equity thing has been good for RLS. They will move up to the Cypress next year. I expect Gonzales and Greenfield to be considered as well, but both probably stay down. Quick shout out to SLV for their victory over Harbor. After blowing a 23-point lead to Marina the week before, it was good to see them bounce back and get a win to end the year on a good note.
Last week: 10-2 (Congrats to Carmel and SLV) Overall 108-38
Gabilan
Fri 11/04 Alisal (Salinas, CA) at Alvarez (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm -Alvarez can create a 3 way tie for 4th place with a win. I just don’t see it. Alisal has been a bit more consistent. Alisal 28-7
Fri 11/04 Hollister (CA) at Aptos (CA), 7:30pm- What if Salinas knocks off Palma and Aptos overlooks Hollister? Oh, the embarrassment. This will be good game, but Aptos is better than Hollister this year. Aptos 34-17
Fri 11/04 Palma (Salinas, CA) at Salinas (CA), 7:30pm- Aptos beat Salinas because it was able to outscore them, it did not necessarily stop them. At full strength, this Salinas team may have one of the best offenses in the CCS. Palma’s Defense will slow them down, I just don’t have the confidence in their offense to score enough points. Salinas 27-14
Mission
Fri 11/04 Seaside (CA) at Monterey (CA), 7:30pm- It is awesome when a rivalry game has playoff implications. Seaside is in, a Monterey win puts them in. A Monterey loss does not eliminate them, but it makes things tougher. I like Chaos. Seaside 24-21
Sat 11/05 Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA) at Carmel (CA), 2:00pm- Carmel needs to win, hope for a Scott’s Valley loss and a Monterey loss then they would actually make the playoffs. That would be amazing for this group. I think they win, but that SV loss may not happen. Carmel 28-20
Sat 11/05 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Scotts Valley (CA), 7:30pm-By the time this game kicks off, Scott’s Valley will know their playoff fate. If Monterey wins, Scott’s Valley is eliminated. If Carmel loses, Scott’s Valley is eliminated. They need a 3 way tie for third. I think Scott’s Valley is going to the Playoffs. Scott’s Valley 35-6
Cypress
Thu 11/03 North Monterey County (Castroville, CA) at Watsonville (CA), 7:30pm- So winner stays and loser probably ends up down in the Santa Lucia next year. That’s weird when you look at the history of these 2 programs and the size of the schools. (1,200 for NMC and 2000+ for Watsonville). NMC 21-17
Fri 11/04 Pacific Grove (CA) at King City (CA), 7:30pm- Long time rivals meet for 4th place bragging rights? Does not matter teams are evenly matched and games are usually y close. Remember last year PG kept King City out of the playoffs with an upset. KC 24-23
Fri 11/04 St. Francis (Watsonville, CA) at Soledad (CA), 7:30pm- I have thought about this game and I have no idea how to handicap it. Both teams are that close. St. Francis is undefeated, but they had an easier schedule. Soledad just keeps improving week after week. I decided I am going with the home team. Soledad 14-13
Santa Lucia
Fri 11/04 Gonzales (CA) at Greenfield (CA), 7:30pm – The battle of the Swiss sausage sandwich. If you have never had one, I strongly encourage you to attend a Salinas Valley football game. (KC and Soledad have them as well). Taking the resurgent Greenfield program in a close one. Greenfield 21-18
Fri 11/04 Stevenson (Pebble Beach, CA) at Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA), 7:30pm -I Think RLS can secure the #2 seed in Division 1 with a win. That should keep them away from Serra until the championships. 😉 Truth is they will be in the middle/bottom of D5. Does not matter, they get to hang the banner. #PIRATEBALL!!. RLS 35-7
Sat 11/05 Marina (CA) vs Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, CA) at Seaside (CA), 6:00pm – There is something positive for the first time on the Marina campus with regards to football. It is great to see them win some game,s now they have a stadium plan in place. These are good things for this long time struggling program. Marina 24-7
