PCAL Week 6
Last week 8-4 Overall 58-25
Gabilan
As I predicted Palma would be 0-5 at the halfway point of the season and Alvarez in first place. (JK) If you did not hear Palma had to forfeit its first4 games for using an ineligible player. After last week’s loss to Monterey, they now sit at 0-5. This is being discussed on a different thread. With the Gabilan being down “competitive” this year Palma still has a chance for 4th place or even 5th and enough points to make the playoffs. Monterey had by far one of their best victories in recent memory. Congratulations to Alvarez for its victory of Hollister, welcome back to the Gabilan in 2024.
Fri 09/29 Alvarez (Salinas, CA) at Aptos (CA), 7:30pm – Monterey beating Palma was a surprise, but Alvarez beating Hollister? Wow!!! Don’t think they can repeat the magic. Aptos 34-14
Fri 09/29 Palma (Salinas, CA) at Hollister (CA), 7:30pm – If Palma wants to keep it +35 year playoff streak alive, this becomes a must win situation. Hollister will be looking to get its mojo back after a stunning loss last week. Palma 31-7
Fri 09/29 Monterey (CA) at Soquel (CA), 7:30pm- Monterey needs to stay focused to avoid a letdown vs a good Soquel squad. Soquel got is first taste of Gabilan football with a shut out loss to Salinas. Monterey 28-7
Mission North
The good news is that Santa Cruz fielded a team last week vs Watsonville. The bad news is they lost big again and have yet to score this season. And now they have forfeited this weekend’s game vs. Seaside. I hate seeing programs not be able to play. NMC had a very impressive win last week and will look to challenge Scott’s Valley and Seaside for the division title.
Fri 09/29 Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA) at North Monterey County (Castroville, CA), MVC licking their wounds after their loss to Seaside, NMC looked good in shutting out St. Francis. I think NMC defense can slowdown MVC QB1 enough. NMC 24-10
Sat 09/30 St. Francis (Watsonville, CA) at Scotts Valley (CA), 2:00pm- If St Francis can’t score vs NMC, probably going to have it’s hands full vs Scott’s Valley. This is not Scott’s Valley’s best defense ever, but it is still very good. Scott’s Valley 21-0
Mission South
Carmel had an incredible comeback last week after being down 12 with 2:24 left in the game to beat Alisal. This week they take on a good North Salinas, a win and they are in the driver’s seat for the title. Pacific Grove is still undefeated? Their schedule has been easy, and they should go to 6-0 before it gets considerably tougher (it is freaking killing me). But they have a good win’s vs Greenfield and Rancho San Juan.
Thu 09/28 Soledad (CA) at Alisal (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm- The CCS needs to step in and stop Thursday games from being played, especially after a Saturday Game. Alisal (and Carmel) are at a dis-advantage. Any ways despite picking up their first win (via game 1 forfeit) Soledad is just not executing well this year. Alisal 28-10
Thu 09/28 Carmel (CA) vs North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, CA), 7:00pm- North Salinas has a chance because of Carmel’s very short week of practice. They also have a chance because they are one of the better stories in the PCAL this year with improvements on both sides of the ball. They are going to slow the game down and keep the ball away from Carmel. But Carmel’s offense is that good. Carmel 38-35
Fri 09/29 Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA) at King City (CA), 7:30pm- Both teams have been a bit of a disappointment. King City a little bit larger. Rancho 17-10
Santa Lucia-
Man, chaos reigns in the Santa Lucia. Right when I thought SLV was turning a corner, they lay an egg vs Pajaro. Great to see Pajaro get a victory!! Harbor was averaging 38 points per game only pit up 14 Vs Gonzales? This still looks like a showdown between Greenfield and RLS for the title. Nobody else seems to be consistent enough.
Fri 09/29 Marina (CA) at Gonzales (CA), 7:30pm- Good news is Mariana should have their own stadium/Field next year. Bad news is the football team is still losing its best players to Monterey and Seaside. Gonzales 34-7
Fri 09/29 Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA) at Greenfield (CA), 7:00pm- Harbor has been disappointing after such a promising start. Greenfield has been good this year. Greenfield 45-20
Sat 09/30 San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA) at Stevenson (Pebble Beach, CA), 2:00pm – RLS took care of business last week vs Marina, SLV not so much Vs Pajaro. This does feel like a little bit of a trap game, but RLS should be fine. RLS 28-7