T-CAL kicks off this week
Their rivalries are deepseated and its historic pasts
intertwined.
This will be the 71st year the San Benito Haybalers and the
Gilroy Mustangs clash helmets for the Prune Bowl trophy and
bragging rights. The Salinas Cowboys can still taste its bitter
14-8 loss to cross-town rivals the North Salinas Vikings in the
first round of the 1977 Central Coast Section playoffs.
T-CAL kicks off this week
Their rivalries are deepseated and its historic pasts intertwined.
This will be the 71st year the San Benito Haybalers and the Gilroy Mustangs clash helmets for the Prune Bowl trophy and bragging rights. The Salinas Cowboys can still taste its bitter 14-8 loss to cross-town rivals the North Salinas Vikings in the first round of the 1977 Central Coast Section playoffs.
The Live Oak Acorns are hoping to pick up the winning habits of the dominant Acorns teams in the late 80’s and early 90’s – back when winning the league title and going deep into the playoffs was a given.
Meanwhile the Palma Chieftains are anxious to put an end to a three-year losing streak to the Haybalers in the teams’ annual year-end match up.
When Central Coast Section officials felt the need to break up the powerful 10-team Monterey Bay League, it was nearly a no-brainer to put these six teams in the same league, both by geography and rivalry. Eventually, the proposed Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill will join the fray.
This Friday the TCAL season is officially underway. So here is a look at the six teams in the league in order of their predicted finish for the Tri County Athletic League. Last season’s records are in brackets followed by this season’s non-league records.
Palma Chieftains (12-1), (5-0)
Until someone stops its 17-year chokehold on the league title, the Chieftains will remain the favorite to win whatever league it plays in. The Chieftains return just two offensive starters from last year’s CCS D I championship team, but that does not seem to matter much. The Chieftains are 5-0, with convincing wins over Alhambra, Paso Robles, Serra, Monterey and North Monterey County. It’s not exactly murderer’s row, but dominant teams win the games they are supposed to. Coach Jeff Carnazzo will rely on tight end Mike Soto, running back Luke Lippincott on offense and defensive tackle Alan Donahue, nose guard Andrew Haynes and linebacker Stephen McGwire on defense to put up big numbers. In week one of the TCAL schedule, the Chieftains will face the North Salinas Vikings.
Salinas Cowboys (10-2-1), (4-1)
The Cowboys defeated league-rival San Benito 7-6 in last year’s CCS D II title game and moved up in the polls as one of the teams to beat this year. Quarterback Andy Palacio is poised to have another standout season after tossing 12 touchdown passes and rushing for 964 yards in 2001. Palacio is currently the team’s leading rusher with 150 yards on 25 carries. Coach Mike Ironside has to be pleased with the way his Cowboys have responded to the added pressure of becoming a champion. The Cowboys exploded out to a 3-0 start before falling to the Alvarez Eagles on Oct. 4, then bouncing back against Monte Vista Christian 35-0. With loads of talent at the skill positions the Cowboys should reach the CCS playoffs again. The Cowboys open on the road against the Gilroy Mustangs.
San Benito Haybalers (10-3), (2-2-1)
There are some major concerns about the Haybalers offense. Simply put, its offense is struggling. Quarterback Gordon Ross is injured and running back Trenton Young has had a tough go at it so far. Ross has completed 13-of-33 passes for 147 yards and has thrown one touchdown against three interceptions before the injury to his right pectoral muscle, while Young had 206 rushing yards on 42 carries. Last week, however, backup QB Lee Osborne sparked the Haybalers’ offense to the tune of 443 rushing yards, with Young doubling his season output with a 226-yard, 25 carry outburst. During the preseason the Haybalers have been bitten by the injury bug and have suffered from a lack of experience along the improving offensive line. Making matters worse is that the only senior on the O line, Clay Peer, went down with a knee injury in a 21-3 loss to the Seaside Spartans on Oct. 4. With a 2-2-1 record so far, the Haybalers precariously hang on the edge of not qualifying for the post-season for the first time in Coach Chris Cameron’s tenure. The Haybalers face the Live Oak Acorns in the league opener this week.
Gilroy Mustangs (7-4), (1-5)
After reaching the postseason for two-consecutive years, Mustangs Coach Dave Yafai hopes the momentum will carry over into this season. In the first four non-league games of the year, though, things have not gone quite so well. Its offense is not producing as expected and its defense is giving up too many points. The Mustangs are 1-5 overall and have given up 139 points so far, compared to 67 points put up by the offense. However, with its stallion, running back J.L Mangono, in the stalls, it will not be long before the Mustangs gallop away from the inferior competition. The Mustangs host the Salinas Cowboys in their first league game.
Live Oak Acorns (2-8), (0-4-1)
The Acorns went through some tough times last year. The Acorns lost to Gilroy and Salinas by a single point and had a chance at winning most of the other games. Coach Glenn Webb’s never-say-die attitude is infectious and it shows on the football field. Take last week’s tough 21-20 loss to the Alisal Eagles for instance. After being pinned on its own five-yard line, the Acorns marched to the Eagles’ seven-yard line before the game slipped away. Quarterback Orin Catrett is one of only 12 varsity players returning from last year and has to be the one to get the Acorns over the hump this year. Catrett has done a good job of distributing the pigskin to his gifted receiving corps. He has doled out 528 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions on 29-of-44 passing. The Acorns have compiled a 0-3-1 record so far and will face the San Benito Haybalers in its first league game of the year.
North Salinas Vikings (4-6), (2-3)
The Vikings are on the road to improvement and running back Ronnie Drummer is one of the reasons why. Drummer, who placed second in the 100 and 200 meter sprints at the CCS Track and Field championships last year, leads a pack of eight returning starters for the Vikings. Wide receiver Brandon Smith, an All-League selection last year, is expected to haul in numerous passes from quarterback Michael Yates. The Vikings are off to a 2-3 start with wins over the North Monterey County Condors and the Alisal Trojans. The Vikings will get off to a 0-1 start in league play as it hosts the Chieftains in its first game.
