PCAL Week 2
Last week had 18 Games originally scheduled, ended up playing 16 between Thursday and Monday night. Look for more of the same this week between COVID, Smoke and a shortage of qualified officials, all teams will have to be ready to move games to different location or different times with in a 24-hour period.
As far as the PCAL goes, no real big surprises. Salinas and Palma had probably the 2 most impressive victories. Not that they won, but by beating up 2 good programs in Half Moon Bay (Salinas 42-22) and Mitty (Palam 47-0). The top of the Gabilan should be fun. Santa Cruz’s domination of Seaside should serve notice they are the team to beat in the Mission.
I also want to address the tragedy at Aptos Tuesday as a student (not with the football program I believe) was stabbed and killed during school. As parents, we expect our kids to be safe at school and Aptos has always had an outstanding reputation as a great, safe school. I cannot imagine the grief this child’s family is facing. The school will not be meeting for the next few days, but I believe the game with Campolindo is still on.
Last week: 14-2 (taking the Hollister game as a win 😉)
This week
Gabilan:
Thu 09/02 Alvarez (Salinas, CA) at Soledad (CA), 7:00pm: Alvarez comes out of COVID quarantine, look for them to out physical Soledad. Alvarez 24-14
Fri 09/03 Sobrato (Morgan Hill, CA) at Alisal (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm: Sobrato got beat up pretty good by Christopher last week, Alisal wont score as much but should take the W. Alisal 31-7
Fri 09/03 Aptos (CA) at Campolindo (Moraga, CA), 7:00pm; One of the better intersectional matchups of the weekend in NorCAl. These are 2 of the most consistent public school team programs. Every year they reload and compete. I am taking home team in a squeaker. Campolindo 24-23
Fri 09/03 Live Oak (Morgan Hill, CA) at Christopher (Gilroy, CA), 7:00pm: Picked against the Acorns last week and they beat Gilroy, but Christopher is better. Christopher 31-28
Fri 09/03 Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco, CA) vs Palma (Salinas, CA) at Kezar Stadium (San Francisco, CA), 7:00pm: Palma embarrassed Mitty last week in a dominating 47-0 victory, SHC should put up a better fight. Palma 28-14
Fri 09/03 Salinas (CA) at Placer (Auburn, CA), 7:00pm: This game has been Cancelled. Salinas Looking to fill its bye week of 10/23. Placer will play Antelope, AQI permitting.
Fri 09/03 Wilcox (Santa Clara, CA) at San Benito (Hollister, CA), 7:30pm: Another great matchup. Hollister only got a half of football in last week; Wilcox probably wishes the 2nd half of their game was not played. Taking the home team Hollister 25-20
Fri 09/03 Monterey (CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm: The all-time series is tied 27-27. Seaside has never led, which is surprising. I see Monterey breaking the tie. Monterey 28-27 (like what I did with the score)
Sat 09/04 Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA) at Carmel (CA), 2:00pm: Both teams took care of business vs “undermanned” squads last week. Carmel had a rough start before pulling away from PG 46-26, while MVC dominated NMC 35-0. Comes down to MVC physicality vs Carmel Speed. I am homer, mild upset Carmel 35-28
Mission
Fri 09/03 Leigh (San Jose, CA) at Gilroy (CA), 7:00pm: Gilroy lost to Live Oak, while Leigh beat a decent Lincoln team. I like the Road team. Leigh 24-10
Fri 09/03 Pacific Grove (CA) at Gonzales (CA), 7:30pm; PG had 8 turnovers last week, Carmel’s defense is not that good. PG must limit the mistakes. Gonzales had a scheduled bye last week, so the program will be making their debut with a new head coach. I still don’t like PG. Gonzales 18-14
Fri 09/03 Hillsdale (San Mateo, CA) at Soquel (CA), 7:00pm – Hillsdale had a close game with Terra Nova last week, Soquel took it on the chin 28-6 from Scott’s Valley. Hillsdale 35-14
Sat 09/04 Santa Cruz (CA) at Scotts Valley (CA), 2:00pm – Glad this game is happening, originally Scott’s Valley was playing South San Francisco. Both teams looked great last weekend, but I think the Cardinals are really good this year. Santa Cruz 38-14
Fri 09/10 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Atascadero (CA), 7:00pm – North Salinas got punched in the mouth by Alisal last week, Atascadero is a historically strong program, Although they seem down these past few years. I see a long drive home for the Vikings. Atascadero 26-10
Cypress
Thu 09/02 San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA) at Los Altos (CA), 7:00pm- SLV’s game last week was cancelled. But the headsets are back and working. Not enough help. Los Altos 24-20
Fri 09/03 King City (CA) at Greenfield (CA), 7:00pm; KC played Monday night and ran away from St. Francis with almost 300 yards on the ground. Bruins best hope is that KC is still tired. King City 38-14
Fri 09/03 Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA) at Woodside (CA), 7:00pm Rancho San Juan will be looking for their First Victory, First Points and their First 1st down. They will get 2 of the 3. Woodside 21-6
Sat 09/04 St. Francis (Watsonville, CA) vs Watsonville (CA) at Cabrillo College (Aptos, CA), 7:30pm: Like KC did on Monday, Watsonville depth will allow them to Pull away in the 2nd half. Watsonville 34-24
Sat 09/04 North Monterey County (Castroville, CA) at Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, CA), 2:00pm: NMC should have a much easier time with Pajaro then with MVC. North Monterey 23-13
Santa Lucia
Fri 09/03 Lick (San Jose, CA) at Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA), 7:30pm: Not sure when the last time Harbor won 2 in row, but safe to say it has been a long time! Harbor28-24
Last week had 18 Games originally scheduled, ended up playing 16 between Thursday and Monday night. Look for more of the same this week between COVID, Smoke and a shortage of qualified officials, all teams will have to be ready to move games to different location or different times with in a 24-hour period.
As far as the PCAL goes, no real big surprises. Salinas and Palma had probably the 2 most impressive victories. Not that they won, but by beating up 2 good programs in Half Moon Bay (Salinas 42-22) and Mitty (Palam 47-0). The top of the Gabilan should be fun. Santa Cruz’s domination of Seaside should serve notice they are the team to beat in the Mission.
I also want to address the tragedy at Aptos Tuesday as a student (not with the football program I believe) was stabbed and killed during school. As parents, we expect our kids to be safe at school and Aptos has always had an outstanding reputation as a great, safe school. I cannot imagine the grief this child’s family is facing. The school will not be meeting for the next few days, but I believe the game with Campolindo is still on.
Last week: 14-2 (taking the Hollister game as a win 😉)
This week
Gabilan:
Thu 09/02 Alvarez (Salinas, CA) at Soledad (CA), 7:00pm: Alvarez comes out of COVID quarantine, look for them to out physical Soledad. Alvarez 24-14
Fri 09/03 Sobrato (Morgan Hill, CA) at Alisal (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm: Sobrato got beat up pretty good by Christopher last week, Alisal wont score as much but should take the W. Alisal 31-7
Fri 09/03 Aptos (CA) at Campolindo (Moraga, CA), 7:00pm; One of the better intersectional matchups of the weekend in NorCAl. These are 2 of the most consistent public school team programs. Every year they reload and compete. I am taking home team in a squeaker. Campolindo 24-23
Fri 09/03 Live Oak (Morgan Hill, CA) at Christopher (Gilroy, CA), 7:00pm: Picked against the Acorns last week and they beat Gilroy, but Christopher is better. Christopher 31-28
Fri 09/03 Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco, CA) vs Palma (Salinas, CA) at Kezar Stadium (San Francisco, CA), 7:00pm: Palma embarrassed Mitty last week in a dominating 47-0 victory, SHC should put up a better fight. Palma 28-14
Fri 09/03 Salinas (CA) at Placer (Auburn, CA), 7:00pm: This game has been Cancelled. Salinas Looking to fill its bye week of 10/23. Placer will play Antelope, AQI permitting.
Fri 09/03 Wilcox (Santa Clara, CA) at San Benito (Hollister, CA), 7:30pm: Another great matchup. Hollister only got a half of football in last week; Wilcox probably wishes the 2nd half of their game was not played. Taking the home team Hollister 25-20
Fri 09/03 Monterey (CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm: The all-time series is tied 27-27. Seaside has never led, which is surprising. I see Monterey breaking the tie. Monterey 28-27 (like what I did with the score)
Sat 09/04 Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA) at Carmel (CA), 2:00pm: Both teams took care of business vs “undermanned” squads last week. Carmel had a rough start before pulling away from PG 46-26, while MVC dominated NMC 35-0. Comes down to MVC physicality vs Carmel Speed. I am homer, mild upset Carmel 35-28
Mission
Fri 09/03 Leigh (San Jose, CA) at Gilroy (CA), 7:00pm: Gilroy lost to Live Oak, while Leigh beat a decent Lincoln team. I like the Road team. Leigh 24-10
Fri 09/03 Pacific Grove (CA) at Gonzales (CA), 7:30pm; PG had 8 turnovers last week, Carmel’s defense is not that good. PG must limit the mistakes. Gonzales had a scheduled bye last week, so the program will be making their debut with a new head coach. I still don’t like PG. Gonzales 18-14
Fri 09/03 Hillsdale (San Mateo, CA) at Soquel (CA), 7:00pm – Hillsdale had a close game with Terra Nova last week, Soquel took it on the chin 28-6 from Scott’s Valley. Hillsdale 35-14
Sat 09/04 Santa Cruz (CA) at Scotts Valley (CA), 2:00pm – Glad this game is happening, originally Scott’s Valley was playing South San Francisco. Both teams looked great last weekend, but I think the Cardinals are really good this year. Santa Cruz 38-14
Fri 09/10 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Atascadero (CA), 7:00pm – North Salinas got punched in the mouth by Alisal last week, Atascadero is a historically strong program, Although they seem down these past few years. I see a long drive home for the Vikings. Atascadero 26-10
Cypress
Thu 09/02 San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA) at Los Altos (CA), 7:00pm- SLV’s game last week was cancelled. But the headsets are back and working. Not enough help. Los Altos 24-20
Fri 09/03 King City (CA) at Greenfield (CA), 7:00pm; KC played Monday night and ran away from St. Francis with almost 300 yards on the ground. Bruins best hope is that KC is still tired. King City 38-14
Fri 09/03 Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA) at Woodside (CA), 7:00pm Rancho San Juan will be looking for their First Victory, First Points and their First 1st down. They will get 2 of the 3. Woodside 21-6
Sat 09/04 St. Francis (Watsonville, CA) vs Watsonville (CA) at Cabrillo College (Aptos, CA), 7:30pm: Like KC did on Monday, Watsonville depth will allow them to Pull away in the 2nd half. Watsonville 34-24
Sat 09/04 North Monterey County (Castroville, CA) at Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, CA), 2:00pm: NMC should have a much easier time with Pajaro then with MVC. North Monterey 23-13
Santa Lucia
Fri 09/03 Lick (San Jose, CA) at Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA), 7:30pm: Not sure when the last time Harbor won 2 in row, but safe to say it has been a long time! Harbor28-24