Monterey Bay Prep Report Article

Friday, October 25, 2002
Salinas At Palma	07:30pm
North Salinas At Live Oak	07:30pm
Hollister At Gilroy	07:30pm
North County At Seaside	07:30pm
Monte Vista Christian At Alisal	07:30pm
Greenfield At Santa Cruz	07:30pm
King City At Pacific Grove	07:30pm

Saturday, October 26, 2002
San Lorenzo Valley At Soquel	02:00pm
Watsonville At Scotts Valley	02:00pm
Aptos At Harbor	02:00pm
Soledad At Carmel	02:00pm
Gonzales At Stevenson	02:00pm
Monterey At Alvarez	02:00pm

Friday's Games

Salinas (5-1) At Palma (6-0)

Game Time:	7:30	Location:	Salinas Sports Complex
Last Year
Salinas High's "PIT" was filled to capacity for this early season showdown between rival neighbors and eventual sectional champions. With the terrorist attacks of 9/11 still fresh on everyone's mind, Palma's Nick Noroian led the Chieftains into the "PIT" carrying the American flag, Olympic style. Cowboy running back Andy Palacio struck first for the Cowboys with a 5 yard run midway through the first quarter. Palma turned to its ground game to keep the dangerous Cowboy offense off of the field. Palma rushed the ball 55 times in the game. A key turnover late in the second quarter resulted in a Luis Amaral keeper and a 13-6 Palma lead going into halftime. Each team traded touchdowns in the hard-hitting second half, with Chieftain tight end Patrick Martin hauling in a 4 yard Amaral touchdown pass with 4:30 remaining in the game to put Palma up 21-13. Palma was then able to hold Salinas on downs. The Salinas defense returned the favor, and on 4th and 2 with under a minute remaining near midfield, Palma lined up for a punt. Amaral took the punt snap and sprinted for the sidelines and a game ending first down, denying the Cowboy's one last shot at tying and/or taking the lead.
Notes

Will the last person to leave South Salinas Friday night please turn the lights out. With an anticipated crowd of 10,000, it doesn't get any bigger than this game. Defending CCS Division 1 Champion Palma enters the game ranked #1 in the CCS (SJ Mercury Coaches Poll), #13 overall in the state (Cal-Hi Sports), and #5 overall in Northern California (Cal-Hi Sports). Defending CCS Division 2 Champion Salinas enters the game ranked #6 in the CCS (SJ Mercury Coaches Poll), and was ranked as high as #2 before losing to Alvarez. Since this series was revived back in 1994, Palma has taken all 8 contests, but non closer than last year's 21-13 thriller. Salinas' top-ranked run defense has allowed just 80 yards per game. The Palma offense is averaging 247 yards rushing per game. Salinas has a -4 turnover ratio (13 takeaways, 17 giveaways); Palma has a +5 turnover ratio (14 takeaways, 9 giveaways). Second in the area in team rushing, the balanced Chieftain rushing attack has produced just one 100 yard individual rushing effort in a game this season. Salinas receiver Chris Choate has hauled in six of the Cowboy's seven touchdown receptions.

Hollister (3-2-1) At Gilroy (1-5)

Game Time:	7:30	Location:	Gilroy High
Last Year
The glistening Prune Bowl trophy was prominently placed on the Hollister sidelines as a reminder to the upstart Gilroy Mustangs as to who reigned supreme in this MBL rivalry. A capacity crowd filled both sides of the stadium with an enthusiastic buzz of anticipation. Both teams came into the game with something to prove. Hollister seemed to have put an embarrassing loss to Alvarez behind them with a blowout win over Monterey, and wanted to show that they were still the team to beat in the MBL. Just last season Gilroy had rolled up a 5-0 record before facing the elite teams in the MBL, losing 3 of their last 5 games to Palma, Alvarez and Hollister and stumbling into the playoffs. Again this season Gilroy had marched undefeated through its first four games against teams with a combined 2-14 record - a win over Hollister would legitimize the Mustangs as a true contender for the MBL title. Gilroy did just that with a 37-21 romp over the Balers in a game dominated by the Mustangs on all fronts. Gilroy running back J.L. Mangono was unstoppable, breaking tackle after tackle and shredding a usually fierce Hollister run defense for 201 yards rushing and 3 TD's. The Gilroy defense completely shut down 2000 league MVP Nick Buzzetta, limiting him to 6 yards rushing and 13 yards passing, including two interceptions that led to Gilroy touchdowns. The game was not as close as the score indicated, with Gilroy holding a 37-7 lead with 9:49 remaining in the game. Two late Hollister touchdowns made the final result respectable.
Notes

The Gilroy offense lost two valuable weapons - running/receiver back Isaac Gonzales left the team, and leading rusher J.L. Mangono is injured and his availability for this week's game is in doubt. As a result the Mustang offense has struggled, suffering two consecutive shutouts and scoring only 14 points in the last 16 quarters. The Balers come into the game riding a two-game winning streak, but the combined record of the opponents in those two victories is just 0-11-1. A win by Hollister would place the Balers in a tie atop the TCAL alongside the winner of Friday's Salinas/Palma game, and right in the thick of the league title hunt.

North Salinas (2-4) At Live Oak (0-5-1)

Game Time:	7:30	Location:	Live Oak High
Last Year
North Salinas rallied for 15 fourth quarter points and a 21-7 victory over Live Oak.
Notes

Since losing to Oak Grove two years ago in the CCS D1 playoffs, the Acorns have been mired in a 2-13-1 tailspin. While the Live Oak offense has put up some very impressive offensive numbers, the defense has struggled. Live Oak surrendered 167 points all of last season; through only six games the Acorns have already surrendered 162 points. North Salinas' Ronnie Drummer continues to impress: the junior speedster has now produced four consecutive 100+ yard rushing games. The Vikings now need to run the table in the TCAL if they expect to entertain any serious CCS playoff thoughts.

North County (1-4-1) At Seaside (4-2)

Game Time:	7:30	Location:	Seaside High
Last Year
Teams did not play.
Notes

North Monterey County is actually 3-2-1 on the field. This game has many similarities to the Aptos-Watsonville game played last week in the SCCAL. With the addition of the new Tri County Athletic League, the Central Coast Section is now comprised of twelve leagues. 32 CCS playoff spots are available: each league receives two automatic playoff berths, leaving only 8 at-large (down from 10 last year) bids. With Alvarez being the early favorite to take the MBL title, the winner of this game will have the inside track to at least 2nd place in the MBL and an automatic playoff bid. The loser will be forced into a must-win mode vs. Alvarez, and will likely be left sweating out the CCS power point system, which rewards teams for strength of schedule. Most at-large bids will be gobbled up by the stronger CCS "A" leagues, which are comprised of the WCAL, TCAL, DeAnza, PAL and MHAL.

Monte Vista Christian (3-3) At Alisal (2-4)

Game Time:	7:30	Location:	Alisal High
Last Year
Teams did not play.
Notes

The MVC Mustangs were limited to120 yards of offense,13 rushing yards and six points in their two consecutive losses to area defensive heavyweights Salinas and Alvarez. Alisal quarterback Johnny Mariscal and receiver Marco Macias have developed into one of the area's top passing/receiving combinations. Mariscal has thrown for 754 yards and 7 touchdowns, with Macias hauling in 21 Mariscal passes for 422 yards and 4 touchdowns.

King City (3-3) At Pacific Grove (2-4)

Game Time:	7:30	Location:	Pacific Grove High
Last Year
Pacific Grove pulled out a thrilling 27-22 victory over King City. With just under 6:00 remaining in the game, Mustang running back J.D. Lisk broke off a 44 yard touchdown run to put King City up 22-21. Pacific Grove took the kickoff and drove down to the King City 24 yard line with 2:00 remaining in the game. Breaker receiver Brooke Emanuel hauled in a 24 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jon Grant to win the game and remain undefeated in MTAL play.
Notes

Both teams desperately need a win to remain within striking distance of league leaders Carmel and Gonzales in the MTAL race. A loss here will likely eliminate either team from postseason play.

Greenfield (1-5) At Santa Cruz (3-3)

Game Time:	7:30	Location:	Santa Cruz High
Last Year
Teams did not play.
Notes

Santa Cruz's three losses come at the hand of SLV (6-0), Watsonville (5-1) , and a 33-13 loss to pre-implosion Gilroy. In last week's mild upset of Scotts Valley, the Cardinal defense limited the Falcons to -5 yards rushing and forced five turnovers. After registering a 34-7 week two win over Harker, Greenfield has now dropped four straight games. In those four losses, the Bruins have surrendered an average of 39 points per game.

Saturday's Games

San Lorenzo Valley (6-0) At Soquel (2-4)

Game Time:	2:00	Location:	Soquel High
Last Year
San Lorenzo Valley rolled to a 35-0 shutout over visiting Soquel.
Notes

San Lorenzo Valley enters the game ranked #4 in the CCS (SJ Mercury Coaches Poll) and #5 in the state in Division 3 by Cal-High Sports. The Cougars have allowed an area-fewest 45 points this season, with only 33 points surrendered by the defense. Quarterback Mike Crisler is 3rd in the area in passing yardage, and is ranked 8th overall in the CCS by the San Jose Mercury. Soquel ranks last in the area in points scored (55), points allowed (196) and rushing yards allowed (1394). The Knights ground attack had a breakout game last week, as Nick Alvarez and Dwight Lowery combined for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns in Soquel's 20-16 victory over Soledad..

Watsonville (5-1) At Scotts Valley (4-3)

Game Time:	2:00	Location:	Scotts Valley High
Last Year
Watsonville quarterback Mel Martinez tossed two first quarter touchdown passes en rout to a 47-7 victory over Scotts Valley.
Notes

After losing an emotion game last week to rival Aptos, Watsonville will be looking to take their frustrations out on a Scotts Valley squad suffering through a three game losing streak. Scotts Valley was held to -5 yards rushing last week by Santa Cruz. Falcon quarterback Andrew Wick is 1st in the area in passing yardage and touchdowns, and is ranked 4th overall in the CCS by the San Jose Mercury. While Watsonville leads the area in team rushing with 1528 yards, they are ranked last in the area with only 60 passing yards. The Wildcats have completed 3 passes this season on just 18 pass attempts..

Aptos (5-1) At Harbor (3-3)

Game Time:	2:00	Location:	Harbor High
Last Year
Aptos turned a close 28-21 halftime lead into a 49-21 rout of visiting Harbor. Harbor rushed for 265 yards in the first half, but was shut out on the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.
Notes

Fresh off of an emotional 21-13 victory over previously unbeaten Watsonville, Aptos has put themselves in position to make the CCS playoffs for the first time since 1998. The Mariner's have allowed only 53 points this season (8.8 points per game), third best in the area. Harbor will face an Aptos defense that is ranked #4 in the area, having allowed only 1136 yards (189 yards per game) through six games. Harbor ranks last among area teams with 356 rushing yards (59 yards per game).

Soledad (2-4)At Carmel (6-0)

Game Time:	2:00	Location:	Carmel High
Last Year
The 2000 campaign saw Carmel go 0-10. Soledad entered the 2001 season as a co-favorite to take the MTAL title. The Padres picked up two preseason wins against struggling SCCAL opponents. The league opener against Soledad would be a true test of the Padre's mettle. Carmel passed that test with a huge 20-13 victory over the favored Aztecs. Padre running back Toby McCleod compiled his first 100 yard rushing effort of the season (one of 6 on the year) to go along with 2 touchdowns, and eventual MTAL Defensive Player of the Year Tim Covington returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown to put Carmel ahead for good.
Notes

Carmel enters this week's contest ranked #13 in the CCS in the San Jose Mercury Coaches Poll. It is believed to be the first such ranking for the Carmel football program in the last 25+ years. Impressive wins over explosive Seaside and undefeated Aptos have succeeded in bringing some deserved section-wide attention to Padre football. Running back Chris Brown leads the area with 846 rushing yards and is 10th overall in the CCS in that category according to the San Jose Mercury. Quarterback Pat Johnston is 2nd in the area in passing and is ranked 7th overall in the CCS.

Gonzales (5-1) At Stevenson (1-6)

Game Time:	2:00	Location:	Stevenson High
Last Year
Gonzales topped Stevenson 26-20 in a wild game that produced 734 yards of combined total offense. Stevenson quarterback Chris Jackson threw for 225 yard and 2 touchdowns, but also tossed 4 interceptions. The Gonzales rushing tandem of Peter Maturino and Ishmael Gudino combined for 272 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Notes

Gonzales has racked up an area-best 2121 yards of total offense. The Stevenson defense (through an extra 7th game) has allowed an area-worst 2122 yards. The injury-depleted Stevenson offense has committed an area-worst 19 turnovers. Gonzales is scoring an average of 40 points per game; Stevenson is averaging 15 points per game.

Monterey (0-6) At Alvarez (3-2-1)

Game Time:	2:00	Location:	Alvarez High
Last Year
Galen Perry exploded for 182 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns in a 50-14 humbling of Monterey. Perry's three first-half runs helped the Eagles to a commanding 43-8 halftime lead.
Notes

Alvarez is currently ranked #11 in the CCS in this week's San Jose Mercury Coaches Poll. The Alvarez defense has allowed only 6 points in the last eight quarters, and that score was the result of a fumble by the Eagle offense on its own 1 yard line. Alvarez running back Ray Diazleal is 7th in the area with 564 rushing yards. While the Monterey defense has played well at times, the Toreador offense has scored the third-fewest points (70) in the area, committed 15 turnovers, and has yet to score a point in the first quarter. Monterey's CCS-worst losing streak now stands at 16 games.