CCS PCAL Rankings

[RLS13]

Never to early for a rankings list! As per our local Sports reporter John Devine.

These Rankings only take into account the PCAL schools: Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito Counties and the 2 Gilroy Schools. (29 total Schools)

As per John Devine-

1. Salinas:
2. Aptos:
3. San Benito:
4. Palma:
5. Carmel:
6. Christopher:
7. Monterey:
8. Monte Vista:
9. Alisal:
10. Gonzales:
On the bubble: Alvarez, Seaside, North Salinas, San Lorenzo Valley, King City

From what I have read these seem pretty reasonable. (Despite the fact RLS is not even mentioned!) My guess is 1-4 will again battle for the top spots in the Gabilan. But Salinas and their QB may be the best. Salinas has 170 kids showing up for summer workouts among all 3 levels.

Carmel may be able to sneak in, as they have some great skill players coming back, but their roster will be small in numbers (25 confirmed right now) compared to the other Gabilan teams.

Monte Vista may be better than advertised as well. 2nd year with coach Rodriguez, who turned around Gilroy a few years prior. They are committed to build a winning football program there.

 

[1315]

MontA Vista.

 

[carmelkyd]

Monte Vista Christian School, is a private, co-educational, selective day and boarding Christian school for young men and women in grades 6 through 12, offering a college-preparatory education in the Christian tradition and context. Located in Watsonville, CA.

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

John Devine is notoriously wrong on his preseason rankings. Will give my rankings later.

In short, I would put Palma as favorite this upcoming season. Lots of team speed at skill positions (return one of the top RBs in CCS, another top slot/RB and team top WR returns). They have lots of depth at skill and lines and fast. Must reload at QB and may run more this season but QB will be mobile and keep defenses honest with pass. Line will improve this season and defense will reload. Lots of experienced players.

Salinas has a maybe top QB in section. They lose top skill players although some decent ones (more possession receivers) and one RB although not a speedster. Lack team speed. Don't think they will be as strong as last season or year before although they will be decent. Salinas has a couple big linemen, but may not be as strong as last season.

Aptos has a decent senior class although juniors are down. Lost some very good players and line may be undersized. Hollister will have some team speed, and reload but probably 3-4 this season. Carmel has good QB, RB and WRs but lack line depth and may have a tough time with wear and tear and physicality of a season in the Gab.

Should be some good games at the top of the Gab again this season.

 

[colhenrylives]

Hollister. Yes. San Benito. No.

 

[The Riverboat Gambler69]

I think you guys failed to mention Gilroy anywhere? They are in the A league correct? I’m pretty sure they had Liberty on the ropes last year before the opening kickoff.

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

Gilroy isn’t going to be a factor in the Gab

 

[FBAddict]

I think you guys failed to mention Gilroy anywhere? They are in the A league correct? I’m pretty sure they had Liberty on the ropes last year before the opening kickoff.

Almost every team is crushing the other team before opening kickoff!!!! I love it

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

Gilroy got crush all season with exception of one game against Soledad. A few of the other teams in league crushed them by as much as Liberty did and the margins could have been worse. Gilroy may be a little better this season but should move to lower league. Christopher gets the vast majority of the fooball talent in the city of Gilroy. Gilroy had some decent years in the past but coaching left (one went to head Clovis West), but opening of Christopher pretty much decimated the football program with exception of a few average years but not competitive in A league. They were forced up a couple years ago because they dominated a B league. They ill be moved down if they don't move up in the standings.

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

I don't know why Liberty and Gilroy even scheduled the game last season. I knew that one was going to be a track meet by Liberty. Although DLS handled Liberty quite easily (was standing on the Liberty sideline next to the chain gang that game). Started good but then DLS took over. Shouldn't be close this year either. At least the game will not be held again and Gilroy will face Santa Cruz a team they have a chance with and Liberty will face Vaca High which has decent teams in some years.

 

[Coast14]

Funny = aptos juniors are down? JV went 10-0 last season with 5 of their best athletes on varsity all season.

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

Sorry...meant seniors for Aptos not a strong class. Juniors are. Soph class is average. Palma should take Aptis this year.

 

[CCSorBust]

Below are my predictions for the Gab division. Salinas offense is high powered and assuming their skills stay healthy, will be a force to be reckoned with. Palma always well coached and have a solid line. Aptos, solid program that is never "down". Although numbers may be low, Carmel returns some top talent and are always well coached. Hollister has historically struggled with defending the passing game. Christopher may surprise some people this year with being a bit more competitive. Hoping Alvarez lower level kids from past couple of years transition well at the varsity level. Gilroy should've gone down, don't understand this move. As we all know, it will come down to who can stay healthy the last 4-5 weeks.

1. Salinas
2. Palma
3. Aptos
4. Carmel
5. Hollister
6.Christopher
7. Alvarez
8. Gilroy

 

[carmelkyd]

Aptos, Palma and Salinas fighting for 1 - 2 -3. Hard to pick one. Superior coaching at each. Can Salinas stop losing games they should win (Carmel and Hollister last year)? Palma has incentive to beat Salinas and Aptos after losses to each last year. Did Aptos get overconfident last year or too many injuries (losing to Salinas and Palma in the last two regular season games)? As CCSorBust said who can stay healthy will be key to final standings.

Middle three are Hollister, Christopher and Carmel. I'd like to think Carmel finishes league play in the top four but as strong as their offense should be, their defense is likely to be their achilles heel. Lots of starters on defense graduated a few weeks ago. If I want to be on optimist I say, Carmel, Christopher and Hollister. A pessimist and I say Christopher, Hollister, and Carmel.

At the bottom I have Alvarez and Gilroy. Think Alvarez has a solid chance to put themselves in the middle three. Gilroy should have gone down to the Mission Division and MVC (or Monterey) brought up.

 

[NorCalSportsFan]

Aptos, Palma and Salinas fighting for 1 - 2 -3. Hard to pick one. Superior coaching at each. Can Salinas stop losing games they should win (Carmel and Hollister last year)? Palma has incentive to beat Salinas and Aptos after losses to each last year. Did Aptos get overconfident last year or too many injuries (losing to Salinas and Palma in the last two regular season games)? As CCSorBust said who can stay healthy will be key to final standings.

Middle three are Hollister, Christopher and Carmel. I'd like to think Carmel finishes league play in the top four but as strong as their offense should be, their defense is likely to be their achilles heel. Lots of starters on defense graduated a few weeks ago. If I want to be on optimist I say, Carmel, Christopher and Hollister. A pessimist and I say Christopher, Hollister, and Carmel.

At the bottom I have Alvarez and Gilroy. Think Alvarez has a solid chance to put themselves in the middle three. Gilroy should have gone down to the Mission Division and MVC (or Monterey) brought up.

Alvarez has some talent and the area always has some good players in the feeder youth league. The program has had trouble retaining coaches. If they had some stability in coaching, they might be more consistently competitive with some years having lots of talent. They may like you said compete in the middle. However, the new high school Rancho San Juan Trailblazers (which will have its first HS team but underclass frosh and sophs competing on frosh and JV teams coached by former Monterey assistant Troy Embrey ) will be a drain moving forward to Alvarez and North Salinas. The 2020/2021 season will be the new school's first year of varsity. History lesson - Everette Alvarez (schol named after) was the first U.S. pilot to be downed and detained during the Vietnam War and spent over eight years in captivity. One of Joe Kapp's best friends.

 

[RLS13]

I agree with Carmelkyd, it is shaping up to be a 3 tier league. Should have some better (more Competitive) games through out the season unlike last year.

I believe the direct impact of Rancho San Juan is Alvarez and North Salinas. but eventually the district will balance out the populations of all 5 Schools (Alisal and Salinas as well).

If I am to understand correctly Ranch San Juan will be playing Carmel's JV league Schedule, while Carmel's JV's will be playing the Gabilan Freshmen teams.

 

[SpeedCity51]

I agree with Carmelkyd, it is shaping up to be a 3 tier league. Should have some better (more Competitive) games through out the season unlike last year.

I believe the direct impact of Rancho San Juan is Alvarez and North Salinas. but eventually the district will balance out the populations of all 5 Schools (Alisal and Salinas as well).

If I am to understand correctly Ranch San Juan will be playing Carmel's JV league Schedule, while Carmel's JV's will be playing the Gabilan Freshmen teams.

I actually checked out the boundaries for SUHSD, and they have changed for all 4 existing schools. Although I suspect Salinas High won’t see much of a decline in enrollment.