Any predictions for football in Monterey county? League winners, sleeper teams, and players to watch?
Monterey county football predictions
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I am interested in seeing how the realignments work for the teams that moved or had new teams moved into their league. carmelkyd is a pretty good source for everything Monterey County. Salinas will most likely be the top team in the area this year.
For purposes of competitive equity, aren't football programs from Monterey County combined with teams from other neighboring counties in some cases?
Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties all make up the tri-county area. We also throw in the Gilroy schools for good measure out of Santa Clara County.
The Californian believes Salinas could be even better than last year. We'll see.
Carl Richardson, the new QB was the co-MVP at the University of Washington QB camp... as a junior. DL Sebastian Gomez was MVP at both the Idaho and Eastern Washington camps.
Aptos will again be tough and Christopher looks interesting, but teams that have moved up from the lower leagues (other than Aptos) really haven't fared well in the top division. Calpreps actually has Palma rated as the #6 team in the league... no way!
I'm very interested to see how Carmel does in a higher league this year.
I'd love to see Marina make the playoffs out of the Santa Lucia division.
Well Marina lost their head coach and their best player transferred, so making the playoffs doesn’t seem likely. It’d be a great story though.
Don't sleep on Hollister- very young last year. Carmel should do just fine in the second tier league.
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Salinas is the team until they get beat. Hollister and Palma will challenge. Not only will Gilroy not win a game in the league, they also will be on the end of many lopsided scores. Liberty will put 56 points on them at the half. CHS is a good B level team. Carmel is always an over achiever. If Marina makes the playoffs, I will walk through the mind fields at fort ord.
Salinas (great QB and reloads but should be good but not much speed at skill positions except Seaside transfer), San Benito (look out lots of speed and 3 year varsity players), Aptos (look out very physical) and Palma (speed at skill positions and good QB in upswing, if defense steps up could be good) will battle for title and end up 1-4
Next tier will be Gilroy (maybe middle of the pack but really good RB) and Christopher (good offense)
Next tier Seaside (will lack depth but some good players, one of their better players transferred to Salinas) and Alvarez at the bottom.
Next tier will be Gilroy (maybe middle of the pack but really good RB) and Christopher (good offense)
Next tier Seaside (will lack depth but some good players, one of their better players transferred to Salinas) and Alvarez at the bottom.
To say Seaside lacks depth is quite the understatement. Last I heard they had around 25 guys on the varsity. They did pick up a a VERY good transfer from Marina in Kefu Leander, but it’s probably going to be long year for them.
I know...they have had tough time last few years fielding even 40. Palma enrollment has impacted their team size as well. They are just north of 40 when they used to average 50-60 players. Seems the enrollment in sports is at Salinas now which has almost 200 at all levels. I think they have over 70 players but if you can walk you can wear a uniform there. If Palma keeps going like it has, they might not be able to field a JV team in a few years although the frosh swuad has around 40 but then after defects soph year or those that move up to varisty, they may only have south of 25 on JV next year. Palma brought up 4 sophs this year and 6 last year and all start or will play a lot.
A change of coach can also be a good thing. The playoff reference is mostly due to their league. Most of those teams barely have a pulse.
It’d be a good story. I am worried about the future viability of the program though. This is year two of them only fielding a varsity team; that really hurts player development. Last year they missed out on a few freshman that didn’t play specifically because they did not have a JV, and I imagine this year that will happen again. If they don’t have a JV team again next year I don’t think this program will be around much longer.
These other schools lacking pulses at least have JV teams. Hell, one even has a former NFL player as a head coach.
Here is quick look at the new Pacific Coast Athletic League. for football It is made up of all the Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito county schools plus 2 southern Santa Clara county schools. For all other sports most of the Santa Cruz schools will be in the SCCAL.
Four divisions: 1A, 2B's and 1C. THe B's were split on compettive equity so not quite sure how the playoffs will work. maybe 4 from A, 3 from B+, 2 from B and 1 from C?
Gabilan (A) Division- This could be the second best league behind the WCAL in the CCS. Any of the top 4 teams could easily win.
1. Salinas is probably the favorite they return enough and have some really good kids stepping up. Their new QB Richardson could be really good. He would of started at most programs last year, but lost out to eventual league MVP Reade.
2. Palma had a down year but they will rebound, because they are Palma. They have one of the top RB’s in the section and are solid on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
3. Aptos is like a mini DLS interms of execution. They run the wing and they run it well. Saw them at 7v7 and they were very well disciplined. If they run as well as they were passing they will be very tough.
4. Hollister was very young last year and not as good as in past years. All those kids have experience now, look for them to make a solid run for a title and the playoffs.
5. Christopher won a CCS DIV title (Closed) last year, they return almost all their skill players. I just do not seem them competing with the 4 teams above them. They may sneak up on one of them.
6. Gilroy won the CCS DV title (Closed) last year and they have a sold core returning. But they lost their coach who had resurrected that program. They will be good but this league is too much of a meat grinder.
7. Seaside can compete for that 5th spot. They lost one of their best athletes to Salinas as the family moved, but they gained one of the county’s top linemen from Marina. They are in the same boat as Christopher and Gilroy. Good enough to compete but not enough to challenge for the top.
8. Alvarez will have some pains this year. Not a lot coming back, and they have a whole new coaching staff. They may be re-assigned next year as a new school will be opening up in their neighborhood further taking from their enrollment next year.
Mission (B+) Division- The good news, there are some good teams in this division, the bad news if you win you might get a ticket to the Gabilan Division next year. 2-6 are all about equal
1. Carmel is loaded this year as they have every skill position coming back. In addition they may have one of the best athletes in the county running the ball for them in Morneinwig. Due to a transfer he was only allowed to play in four games last year. He is the real deal. Their biggest question will be a very young and small offensive line
2. Watsonville has a lot of kids and has been slowly building this program over the past few years. They have some skilled players coming back and could give Carmel a run for their money. I have heard over a 50 man varsity roster.
3. Scott’s Valley may have one of the best 22 man rosters in the area. Unfortunately that’s about all they have. Last I heard they only had about 25 -26 kids on the roster. Lack of depth will eventually catch up with them.
4. Alisal had their first post season victory last year and beat CCS DIV champ Christopher in the regular season. They lost a lot to graduation, but they return some very big players. They are going to look to out physical teams in the trenches.
5. Soledad won the last MTAL title, but lost some key players to graduation and their head coach. The foundation is in place for a successful program, it will be interesting to see how they do this transition year.
6. MVC drops down after competing in the Gabilan. They brought in the HC from Gilroy so they will be motivated. Not sure how much new talent they were able to attract. But watch out for this program in 2 years.
7. North Salinas is in a full rebuild, a small roster for them and a new head coach menas it may be a long season for the Vikings.
Cyprus (Lower B)- This should be a fun run to watch as multiple teams will be competing for the title and playoff spots.
1. Monterey brought back former star Henry Lusk to coach. I saw them at 7v7 and they have a lot of athletes. If Lusk can keep them focused and disciplined they will be the team to beat. I have to think Monterey is an early favorite just form the size of the school.
2. San Lorenzo Valley returns a lot, not having to play Aptos and Scott’s valley in league games will defiantly help this program.
3. St. Francis (Watsonville) has been quietly good the past couple years and has started to turn the program around. They dropped the sport 5 (?) years ago due to low numbers. Had a fluke loss last year that kept them pout of the playoffs.
4. King City had a talented team last year until the Jamboree, and lost their starting QB and Cornerback. They will be competitive this year and as always big up front.
5. North Monterey County will finally get to play some home games. After a 2year stadium renovation look for the Condors to be improved, but not quite good enough.
6. Pacific Grove really struggled last year. The good news they had a very good JV team and that will start pay dividends this year. They are 1 year away from challenging for a league title.
7. Santa Cruz made the playoff last year by upsetting St. Francis and winning some very close games in a weak league. This league is a bit stronger, probably won’t be able to make a repeat trip to the post season.
Santa Lucia (C)- Top to bottom this will be the most competitive division as all these teams look to return to greatness or at least taste some success. 1-6 could win this division
1. Gonzales was improved last year, this year they are ready to take that next step. They have one of the better athletes in the Whole league (including upper divisions). Their coach is installing a sense of pride in the program.
2. RLS has a chance. They have some talent coming back and a 2nd year coach who has been able to spend time with his team. The bad news only 11 players or so live locally the rest are borders who are just showing up on campus.
3. Soquel may turn some heads this year, they have some skilled positions coming back and lost some close games last year.
4. Greenfield is putting in a new system with a new coach. This usually takes some time to do, especially with a school that has not had much success the past 10 years.
5. Pajaro Valley will benefit the most form playing in this division. This will allow them to get some excitement on campus and get more kids into the program. Baby steps.
6. Harbor won a game last year and was competitive in others. That was a big step for a program that is trying to rebuild
7. Marina lost its best player and it coach after their best season in school history. Numbers are still down, and they will not field a JV team. This is not good
Four divisions: 1A, 2B's and 1C. THe B's were split on compettive equity so not quite sure how the playoffs will work. maybe 4 from A, 3 from B+, 2 from B and 1 from C?
Gabilan (A) Division- This could be the second best league behind the WCAL in the CCS. Any of the top 4 teams could easily win.
1. Salinas is probably the favorite they return enough and have some really good kids stepping up. Their new QB Richardson could be really good. He would of started at most programs last year, but lost out to eventual league MVP Reade.
2. Palma had a down year but they will rebound, because they are Palma. They have one of the top RB’s in the section and are solid on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
3. Aptos is like a mini DLS interms of execution. They run the wing and they run it well. Saw them at 7v7 and they were very well disciplined. If they run as well as they were passing they will be very tough.
4. Hollister was very young last year and not as good as in past years. All those kids have experience now, look for them to make a solid run for a title and the playoffs.
5. Christopher won a CCS DIV title (Closed) last year, they return almost all their skill players. I just do not seem them competing with the 4 teams above them. They may sneak up on one of them.
6. Gilroy won the CCS DV title (Closed) last year and they have a sold core returning. But they lost their coach who had resurrected that program. They will be good but this league is too much of a meat grinder.
7. Seaside can compete for that 5th spot. They lost one of their best athletes to Salinas as the family moved, but they gained one of the county’s top linemen from Marina. They are in the same boat as Christopher and Gilroy. Good enough to compete but not enough to challenge for the top.
8. Alvarez will have some pains this year. Not a lot coming back, and they have a whole new coaching staff. They may be re-assigned next year as a new school will be opening up in their neighborhood further taking from their enrollment next year.
Mission (B+) Division- The good news, there are some good teams in this division, the bad news if you win you might get a ticket to the Gabilan Division next year. 2-6 are all about equal
1. Carmel is loaded this year as they have every skill position coming back. In addition they may have one of the best athletes in the county running the ball for them in Morneinwig. Due to a transfer he was only allowed to play in four games last year. He is the real deal. Their biggest question will be a very young and small offensive line
2. Watsonville has a lot of kids and has been slowly building this program over the past few years. They have some skilled players coming back and could give Carmel a run for their money. I have heard over a 50 man varsity roster.
3. Scott’s Valley may have one of the best 22 man rosters in the area. Unfortunately that’s about all they have. Last I heard they only had about 25 -26 kids on the roster. Lack of depth will eventually catch up with them.
4. Alisal had their first post season victory last year and beat CCS DIV champ Christopher in the regular season. They lost a lot to graduation, but they return some very big players. They are going to look to out physical teams in the trenches.
5. Soledad won the last MTAL title, but lost some key players to graduation and their head coach. The foundation is in place for a successful program, it will be interesting to see how they do this transition year.
6. MVC drops down after competing in the Gabilan. They brought in the HC from Gilroy so they will be motivated. Not sure how much new talent they were able to attract. But watch out for this program in 2 years.
7. North Salinas is in a full rebuild, a small roster for them and a new head coach menas it may be a long season for the Vikings.
Cyprus (Lower B)- This should be a fun run to watch as multiple teams will be competing for the title and playoff spots.
1. Monterey brought back former star Henry Lusk to coach. I saw them at 7v7 and they have a lot of athletes. If Lusk can keep them focused and disciplined they will be the team to beat. I have to think Monterey is an early favorite just form the size of the school.
2. San Lorenzo Valley returns a lot, not having to play Aptos and Scott’s valley in league games will defiantly help this program.
3. St. Francis (Watsonville) has been quietly good the past couple years and has started to turn the program around. They dropped the sport 5 (?) years ago due to low numbers. Had a fluke loss last year that kept them pout of the playoffs.
4. King City had a talented team last year until the Jamboree, and lost their starting QB and Cornerback. They will be competitive this year and as always big up front.
5. North Monterey County will finally get to play some home games. After a 2year stadium renovation look for the Condors to be improved, but not quite good enough.
6. Pacific Grove really struggled last year. The good news they had a very good JV team and that will start pay dividends this year. They are 1 year away from challenging for a league title.
7. Santa Cruz made the playoff last year by upsetting St. Francis and winning some very close games in a weak league. This league is a bit stronger, probably won’t be able to make a repeat trip to the post season.
Santa Lucia (C)- Top to bottom this will be the most competitive division as all these teams look to return to greatness or at least taste some success. 1-6 could win this division
1. Gonzales was improved last year, this year they are ready to take that next step. They have one of the better athletes in the Whole league (including upper divisions). Their coach is installing a sense of pride in the program.
2. RLS has a chance. They have some talent coming back and a 2nd year coach who has been able to spend time with his team. The bad news only 11 players or so live locally the rest are borders who are just showing up on campus.
3. Soquel may turn some heads this year, they have some skilled positions coming back and lost some close games last year.
4. Greenfield is putting in a new system with a new coach. This usually takes some time to do, especially with a school that has not had much success the past 10 years.
5. Pajaro Valley will benefit the most form playing in this division. This will allow them to get some excitement on campus and get more kids into the program. Baby steps.
6. Harbor won a game last year and was competitive in others. That was a big step for a program that is trying to rebuild
7. Marina lost its best player and it coach after their best season in school history. Numbers are still down, and they will not field a JV team. This is not good
That's correct. They will be playing teams from Santa Cruz County that were added this year to the new league realignment.
CalPreps, as you know, depends mainly on how manny teams reply to their questionnaire every year. Pretty sure we all know Palma has never been that low in the area. They will continue to be one of the top teams in the area. Only a few teams have beat them, Hollister, Salinas, Seaside I think beat them and of course the Carmel Padres!
Hollister is always a tough team to beat. No doubt. We know Carmel will have an explosive offensive again, but hoping the defense eventually becomes just a dominating as their offense. If that happens, then Carmel be scary great.
Wow that sounds crazy for Palma. They use to own the County, but it looks like Salinas is the new king of the mountain. Carmel has over 40 players on varsity and I believe around 30 or so on JV.
Last I heard Carmel is right at 40 for varsity and at 27-28 for JV. They have about 5 sophs and 1 freshmen on Varsity.
Carmel has cancelled the JV Game vs Salinas. For the first 2 weeks of practice there were only +/- 18 kids on the JV squad. The last 10 just showed up or returned from vacation this week when school started. Taking 20+ eligible kids (mostly Freshmen) in to the pit vs a 70+ JV roster of sophomores and Juniors probably not a safe situation for the kids...
Palma should challenge Salinas this year. Actually Palma frosh team and sophs (a little larger class) have some big kids and talent and juniors are a very strong class. Palma seniors have a few really good players but last season seniors were way down and the undersclasss (frosh, sophs and juniors) are strong and Palma has 10 underclass (6 juniors second year varsity, and 4 sophs) up. Salinas is getting big numbers but even this year talent wise they don't have alot of depth and not any real burners as far as speed. If Palma numbers continue to drop they will be in trouble but yes....depth could be an issue if they lose players during the season in certain areas. Palma looks like they will be more prone to cycles instead of reloading every year.
Soquel hired Soquel, Cabrillo JC, and SJSU alum Dwight Lowery. I think he will energize the program and they will moderately improve, maybe challenge for the league title.
But the cynic in me seriously doubts he is in this for the long haul. Will probably be gone in two years.
Soquel HS hired Dwight Lowery. Also, Harbor HS who was on the verge of shutting down their program a couple of years ago is building a really nice stadium and from what I have heard may have a varsity roster of 40
Yeah I heard JV got a few more kids that put them I believe a tad over 30. I could be off by a couple, but last I heard it was around that. For Varsity they should be right at 45 or so once the season starts.
That's right! I remember Dwight. Good kid and had himself a nice little run with the Jets I believe. Good corner. Should be very exciting for the kids.
If Hollister shores up its pass defense which I think they will, they will be very tough on defense. Pass defense killed them last season.
Rls13- Pretty good summation/prediction for the 4 leagues. Hard to really argue with your overall placement of teams. Something inside me still feels that Hollister will still finish in the top 3 in the gabilan and most likely the top 2. Just my intuition.
Predictions for league champs for the four leagues?
1. Salinas
2. Carmel
3.Monterey
4.Gonzales
You can easily make an argument for any of the top 4 Gabilan teams it will be very entertaining to watch that play out.
Yeah they maybe, but looking at the other teams nobody else really stood out as being much better. Monterey should win that division pretty easily this year and probably get bumped up.
It is being held tonight according to Salinas High School announcement yesterday. Four varsity teams — Alisal, Everett Alvarez, North Salinas and Salinas will take turns matching up at Rabobank Stadium. Starts at 4pm with frosh squads, 5:30 JV squads, and 7:00 Varsity squads go till 9pm
Yea, Monterey will be kind of a wolf in sheeps clothing this year. When Newton was the coach they were at the same level as Salinas and Hollister; I don’t know if they can get back there but I think Lusk will have them up there in that mid-A to high-B range with schools like Christopher and Seaside.
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