A team-by-team look at the Tri-County, Monterey Bay and the
Blossom Valley athletic leagues.
TRI-COUNTY
Alisal – Coach: Sunil Smith; 2010 record: 4-6, 3-3 TCAL
The Trojans will look to continue their year-to-year improvement in 2011 with Michael Barron returning as the team’s quarterback. Last year, the Trojans doubled their win total from two to four, but haven’t finished a season above .500 since a 7-4 campaign in 2006, Sunil Smith’s first year at the helm. To help Barron, the Trojans return their third-highest rusher from a year ago in Tomas Taylor.
Alvarez – Coach: Ralph Ward; 2010 record: 4-6, 2-4 TCAL
The Eagles had something to cheer about during the 2010 season – the programs first two league victories since joining the Tri-County five years ago. The Eagles return leading back Miguel Melano, who rushed for 880 yards on 98 carries last year and starting quarterback Michael Turner. All-league selection Alexander Haley also returns to the defensive line, where he will have to try to replace co-league MVP Anthony McKay.
North Salinas – Coach: Steven Zenik; 2010 record: 1-9 overall, 1-5 TCAL
The Vikings’ lone victory during the 2010 season came against Gilroy High at home. The rest of the season was forgettable for the Vikings. The league champs just three seasons ago, lost plenty of players to graduation including, leading rusher Marcos Mendoza, 101 carries for 549 yards, and their starting quarterback Curt Ceralde. However, all-league selection Diego Gonzalez at tight end is back.
Palma – Coach: Jeff Carnazzo; 2010 record: 10-1-1, 6-0 TCAL
The three-time defending TCAL champions will again be favored to win the league thanks to a stout defense. The Chieftains return junior and all-state selection Noah Allen to the defensive backfield. Junior Jack Powers also returns to the defense to help stabilize the line. The Chieftains will have to replace starting running back and all-league selection Jack Baird and starting quarterback Ryan Morrison. Overall the Chieftains will need to replace eight members of last year’s All-TCAL team.
Salinas – Coach: Steve Goodbody; 2010 record: 7-4-1, 5-1 TCAL
The Cowboys burned the ground on their way to a second-place finish in the TCAL last year, but they have to replace their leading rusher John Estassi and 1,372 yards and 14 touchdowns Estassi contributed. To do that, Salinas will rely on seniors Raymond Cerda and Matt Leighton. The Cowboys graduated five all-league selections including Estassi, linebacker Christian Padilla, defensive back Beau Schuler and offensive linemen Tyler Isbill and Beau Papazian.
MONTEREY BAY
Seaside – Coach: Alfred Avila; 2010 record: 6-5 overall, 4-2 MBL
A year removed from a Central Coast Section Division III championship, the Seaside Spartans missed out on at least a share of the Monterey Bay League title for just the second time in the past eight years. The Spartans graduated 22 seniors from last season’s roster. Joseph Jakubowski, the team’s leading receiver from 2010, is listed as the No. 1 signal caller entering the year.
Monterey – Coach: Tom Newton; 2010 record: 11-2 overall, 6-0 MBL (league champions, lost in CCS Division III title game)
The Toreadors terrorized the MBL in 2010, outscoring league opponents 241-116 en route to a clean 6-0 mark. Veteran head coach Tom Newton will again have his players primed in defense of the league championship. The Toreadors rushed for 3,739 yards in 2010. Expect similar stats this time around. Defensively, Monterey returns the MBL’s Defensive Player of the Year, junior linebacker Shaunne Katoa.
Watsonville – Coach: Tom Sullivan; 2010 record: 1-9, 1-5 MBL
Watsonville’s 2010 season was the epitome of a turnaround campaign. The 2009 league champions went through a rebuilding phase and only collected one win in the process. However, a young team is now a year older, led by senior Fabian Serrano, who rushed for 882 yards on 184 carries last year. The Wildcatz top receiver, Lamar Cowans (42 catches, 773 yards, nine TDs) is also back for his senior year.
Monte Vista Christian – Coach: David Reese; 2010 record: 7-3 overall, 3-3 MBL
One of the more balanced attacks in the league will have a boost with the return of senior Raymond Rondez, who churned out 1,029 yards on 139 touches for the Mustangs last season. To make matters more pleasant for head coach David Reese, starting quarterback Taylor Cohan and top receiver Austin Daich are also poised for their senior year.
Pajaro Valley – Coach: Joe Gregorio; 2010 record: 0-10 overall, 0-6 MBL
The Grizzlies had a difficult time scoring points in 2010, posting just 46 all season. However, John Paul Holbert (104 carries, 335 yards) returns as the team’s most reliable threat. Holbert was also named to the All-MBL team as a linebacker.
North Monterey County – Coach: Sean Gomes; 2010 record: 10-2, 5-1 MBL
North Monterey County finished runner-up to Monterey, the only team to beat the Condors in 2010. North County’s season came to an end in the CCS Division III semifinals. The Condors return the MBL’s Offensive Back of the Year Mike Lopez, who scooted his way for 807 yards and 14 touchdowns on 71 carries. Leading receiver Stephen Walker is also back.
BVAL MOUNT HAMILTON
Independence – 2010 record: 9-3 overall, 6-1 Santa Teresa Division
Independence has made tremendous progress in three years under for mer Sobrato assistant coach Norm Brown and is primed to compete in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mount Hamilton Division behind six returning starters on offense and five on defense. Led by two-way senior linemen Fernando Villanueva and Edgar Cervantes, the 76ers are big and experienced up front but are mostly unproven at the skill positions. Expect a big year from senior quarterback Tony Ulu, who guided the team to a share of the Santa Teresa Division title in 2010.
Leland – 2010 record: 8-4 overall, 5-2 league (tied for third)
Though short on depth, Leland should once again compete for a top-three finish behind Chris Santini (fullback/linebacker) and Jason Habash (quarterback), who have drawn the attention of several FBS college programs. Santini was the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player as a junior. Mike Carrozzo’s Chargers return eight starters on offense and seven on defense, but their depth is an issue.
Junior running back/defensive back Kenny Portera and sophomore linebacker Jack Pizzo made first-team all-league in 2010, with Portera earning the league’s Sophomore of the Year Award.
Oak Grove – 2010 record: 8-3 overall, 6-1 league (tied for first)
Despite graduating 17 players from last year’s team that qualified for the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs, Oak Grove is once again the league favorite. Winners of seven of the last eight Mount Hamilton Division titles, coach Jay Braun’s Eagles return 33 varsity veterans, including star wideout/defensive back Cleveland Wallace, the league’s 2010 Junior of the Year. Oak Grove is also led by running back Jacari Carr, tight end Eugene Taylor, quarterback Ray Rivera, defensive back Kenny Nolley and fullback Deion Johns. Those five made the all-league list as juniors.
Piedmont Hills – 2010 record: 11-2 overall, 6-1 league (tied for first, won CCS Division I title)
The pieces fell into place perfectly in Piedmont Hills’ run to the 2010 CCS Division I championship. The loss of league MVP Stephen Anderson (wideout/linebacker), Most Outstanding Linebacker Jonah Moon, Most Outstanding Offensive Player Juquelle Thompson and first-team all-league quarterback Jason Harms will be tough to overcome this fall, but the Pirates return their leading rusher from 2010 in Johnny Beard, a first-team all-league running back who totaled 1,107 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. The Bucs return five starters on offense and defense.
Pioneer – 2010 record: 3-7 overall, 2-5 league (sixth)
The Mustangs struggled during Eric Perry’s first year as coach but can right the ship in 2011 behind seven returning starters on offense. Running back Curtis Tanquary should put up big numbers after an all-league junior year. Pioneer also welcomed back seniors Tommy Fickett (guard/defensive end) and Ronald Gezzi (guard/inside linebacker). Pioneer’s junior varsity team finished 8-2 in 2010.
Santa Teresa -2010 finish: 7-4 overall, 5-2 league (tied for third)
Replicating last year’s success could be a tall order for coach Nick Alfano’s Saints, who graduated seven all-league honorees. Santa Teresa does return seven starters on offense and defense, including first-team all-leaguer Michael Thomas (wide receiver) and second-team all-leaguers Andre McClelland (defensive back) and Josh Rojas (running back). The Saints are also led by senior center/defensive lineman Josh Anaya and junior fullback/linebacker Stephen Neri.
Willow Glen – 2010 record: 11-2 overall, 6-1 Santa Teresa Division (tied for first, won CCS Division II title)
MVP quarterback Mitch Ravizza (3,357 yards passing, 37 touchdowns in 2010) is back for the defending CCS Division II champs, but his supporting cast is largely new, save for all-league tight end/linebacker Mark Amann. Coach Oscar Caballero’s Rams also return first-team all-league defensive back Bret Bigger second-team all-league honorees Joe Gotelli (wideout/defensive back), James Johnson (running back/linebacker) and Nick Oreglia (offensive line/linebacker).
BVAL Santa Teresa
Branham -2010 record: 1-9 overall, 1-6 league (tied for seventh)
One of three Santa Teresa Division teams with first-year coaches, Branham has reason to anticipate a turnaround in 2011 under Nick Gardiner.The Bruins return Darnell Sankey, an athletic tight end/linebacker who made first-team all-league as a junior, and junior running back/defensive back Darren Brown, a second-team all-league honoree in 2010.
Gunderson – 2010 record: 4-6 overall, 2-5 league (sixth)
Nick Melchor (running back/outside linebacker) earned the Grizzlies’ captaincy in 2010 as a sophomore and was named the league’s most outstanding player for his class. He will lead first-year coach Steve Papin’s squad alongside fellow returning all-league honorees Cody Kielty, a senior fullback/outside linebacker; and juniors Francisco Rodriguez (quarterback/safety) and Aaron Catacutan (wingback/outside linebacker).
Hill – 2010 record: 0-10 overall, 0-7 Mount Hamilton Division (eighth)
The Falcons hope to challenge for a second Santa Teresa Division title in three years behind four returning starters on offense and defense. Senior running back/wideout Cedric Graves leads the charge for coach Jake Redmond’s team after earning second-team all-Mount Hamilton Division acclaim in 2010.
Leigh – 2010 record: 1-8 overall, 1-6 Mount Hamilton Division (seventh)
First-year coach Kyle Padia takes over a Longhorns team that was outmatched in the Blossom Valley Athletic League A division a year ago but managed to produce second-team all-league honorees in Jammar Lee (offensive line/defensive line) and Gabe Davis (quarterback), who are both back for 2011. Leigh also features junior running back/cornerback Lavon Donald and sophomore offensive/defensive lineman Charlie Nelson.
Lincoln – 2010 record: 7-3 overall, 6-1 league (tied for first)
Lincoln graduated all but two starters on offense and five on defense from its 2010 squad that shared the Santa Teresa Division title with Independence and Willow Glen – both now in the Mount Hamilton Division. Coached by Kevin Collins, the Lions return a pair of second-team all-league outside linebackers in Justin Grant and Raymond Prado, who will double at running back and wide receiver, respectively. Senior fullback/defensive tackle Leo Torres is primed for a big season.
Mount Pleasant – 2010 record: 8-4 overall, 6-1 West Valley Division (tied for first)
Coming off back-to-back West Valley Division titles, coach Frank Lopez Jr.’s Cardinals are led by 2010 first-team all-leaguers Thai Truong (running back/defensive back), Drake Oyao (wide receiver/defensive back), Sam Anzaluda (fullback/inside linebacker) and Omar Gonzalez (running back/inside linebacker). Cory Lucchesi (tight end/outside linebacker) should also have a big season for Mount Pleasant, which returns four starters on offense and five on defense.
Westmont – 2010 record: 5-5 overall, 3-4 league (fifth)
The Warriors feature a talented offensive backfield led by senior running back Ian Harvel, who made second-team all-league in 2010 with 542 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and 396 receiving yards and four scores. Coached by Eric Buran, Westmont also returns its leading tackler from 2010 in senior Trevor Ross (running back/linebacker).
