PCAL WEEK 6

[RLS13]

PCAL Week 6

No real big surprises in last weeks game. The only “upset” was Soquel taking down a very good Scott’s Valley team. Big win for the Knights following their humbling loss to Palma the week prior. In the Gabilan: Salinas finally pulled away from Hollister in the 4th qtr. QB1 for Salinas has a great grasp of this offense he makes really good reads and has a lot of talent on the outside with the 2 DI receivers. As I have mentioned before, Salinas will be a tough out for Serra. Aptos continued to roll, while Palma looks like they have their “mojo” back after a shaky start, although that Mitty loss does not look as bad anymore.

In the Mission Soquel is in the driver’s seat, after their hug win vs Scott’s Valley. Meanwhile Monterey has a new QB1 and put up 50 on MVC. Monterey will make some noise in this division. Carmel’s offense is super inconsistent, but their defense pitched a shutout vs North Salinas. The Cypress looks like it will go through Rancho San Juan and their RB1. He is putting up same great stats: 970 yards and 20 TD’s in 5 games. But ST Francis and Soledad are n the near future and their defenses are legit. In the Santa Lucia, Gonzales, Greenfield and RLS look lie the team to beat.

There are a lot of mismatches this weekend.

Last week 10-2 Overall 56-30

Gabilan

Fri 09/30 Palma (Salinas, CA) at Alisal (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm – Alisal will try to slow the game down with their running, but Palma defense is too good. Palma 28-0

Fri 09/30 Hollister (CA) at Alvarez (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm – This maybe the closest game this weekend, especially if Hollister come in dragging after emotional game with Salinas. But Hollister should handle their business. Hollister 35-7

Fri 09/30 Santa Cruz (CA) at Salinas (CA), 7:30pm – Salinas is really, really good, Santa Cruz should be in the Cypress this year. Salinas “whatever they want” to 0

Mission

Fri 09/30 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Monterey (CA), 7:30pm – North Salinas was scrappy and kept the game close to Carmel last week, but Monterey will be to quick for them this week. Monterey 38-7

Fri 09/30 Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm -One of the better PCAL matches of this week. Both teams looking to challenge for that third playoff spot. Loser is probably out of playoff picture. Seaside 24-21

Sat 10/01 Soquel (CA) at Carmel (CA), 2:00pm – Carmel’s offense the past 3 weeks has scored 22 Points, combined, yet they are 2-1 in those games. Padre’s best chance is if Soquel is emotionally drained after last week’s big win vs Scott’s Valley. Coach Lowery won’t allow that. Soquel grinds out a win. Soquel 17-8



Cypress

Fri 09/30 King City (CA) at Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm – It is King City’s turn to try and slow down the Rancho Running back 1. Not sure that they will be able to. Rancho 28-14

Fri 09/30 Watsonville (CA) at Soledad (CA), 7:30pm – Soledad is 4-1 with a close loss to a good Soquel team and a defense that only gives up 11 points a game. This team should not be overlooked. You can safely overlook Watsonville. Soledad 34-7

Sat 10/01 North Monterey County (Castroville, CA) at St. Francis (Watsonville, CA), 12:30pm – NMC had a very close loss to Soledad. This team has been playing better lately. But St. Francis has been giving a up a total of 3 Points a game. Granted they have had a very easy schedule, but still impressive. NMC keeps it close but. St. Francis 13-7



Santa Lucia

Fri 09/30 Greenfield (CA) at Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA), 7:30pm – Greenfield coming off of a bye should have no trouble with Harbor. Greenfield 28-7

Sat 10/01 Gonzales (CA) vs Marina (CA) at Monterey Peninsula College (Monterey, CA), 6:00pm- After a great start Marina has come back to earth with 2 straight losses. Meanwhile Gonzales looks to build off its first win of the season. Gonzales 35-20

Sat 10/01 Stevenson (Pebble Beach, CA) at San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA), 12:30pm – SLV has just dropped off. This once proud program is really struggling. They were blown out by a below average Pajaro Valley team. RLS should have no problem in taking care of the Cougars. RLS 31-7

 

[94123]

These are great. RLS do you have insight into the now lengthy SLV drop off? Fewer athletes? Did everyone move to Scott’s Valley? Any chance of a resurgence?

 

[RLS13]

These are great. RLS do you have insight into the now lengthy SLV drop off? Fewer athletes? Did everyone move to Scott’s Valley? Any chance of a resurgence?

Great questions. I am not 100% sure. Obviously Scott's Valley being 7 miles away does not help. But Scott's Valley has been around since the late 90's. I maybe wrong but I think the remote location and potential fire danger of the Santa Cruz Mountains has made some families reconsider staying/settling down in the Felton/Ben Lomond area.

The area is great, and the town seems to support the school and the teams. My guess like so many other schools in the bay area ( including Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties) , there is a demographic shift and not enough football playing families are moving/staying in the area.

it is a shame because form the late 90's to the early 2010's they won like 9 league titles and a couple CCS finals as well. It was great program.

The good thing about equity leagues is that a team like SLV can at least continue to play vs competitive teams that are at their level. They don't have to worry about playing Aptos or anybody else like that until they can be better.