Gilroy, Live Oak endure disappointing seasons.
The Live Oak and Gilroy football programs found out this year how tough the new Tri-County Athletic League can be.
“Both teams were obviously looking to turn their season around and end on a high note,” said Live Oak coach Glen Webb after Friday’s matchup between two teams. “It is a fact of life that it can only happen on one end.”
Both programs recorded losing records this year as Live Oak finished 0-9-1 and Gilroy finished 2-8. Gilroy recorded a 33-13 win over Santa Cruz in the second game of the year and a 28-18 win over Live Oak in the last game. For the Acorns, the only “bright” spot of the year was a 20-20 tie against North County on Oct. 4.
“Live Oak was in the playoffs a few years ago, and we were there last year,” said Mustang coach Darren Yafai. “I would like to be both of our programs turn around within a few years.”
Palma (9-1, 4-1 TCAL) and Salinas (9-1, 5-0 TCAL), the two league powerhouses, combined to outscore Gilroy and Live Oak 111-13. Salinas, who won the head-to-head contest against Palma, claimed the league title and, as the No. 2 seed, will face No. 7 Independence at Salinas High on Nov. 22.
No. 3 Palma will square off against No. 6 Bellarmine Nov. 23 at the Salinas Rodeo Complex. Both Division 1 games are at 7 p.m.
Alvarez and Seaside, both No. 6 seeds, are the two teams representing the Monterey Bay League in Division 2 and Division 3.
Gilroy had to be creative to win the last game of the season against Live Oak. Coach Darren Yafai could talk 10 minutes about all the changes and substitutions he had to make in the game after five players (three starters including running back J.L Mangono) were out because of grades.
“We were doing a musical juggling act,” Yafai said. “We actually had to call our last timeout in the fourth quarter to try to get a backup kid on the field.”
Gilroy has had a lot more player issues with players not being able to play or not wanting to play. But nothing on Gilroy’s side compares with the kids from San Benito High who were caught smoking on the bus on the way back from a game.
“We haven’t really had any problems with that,” Webb said. “It is a real credit to the character and caliber of the kids we have. We survived a very difficult unfulfilling season with no one quitting. It tells you they are playing for the love of the game and they are not here just to wear a jersey. They are doing all they can, so I proud of them.”
Both Live Oak and Gilroy have had their share of injuries this year. While most teams suffer injuries in a football season, sometimes injuries can hurt some teams more than others.
“The season is a long season and there is a lot of wear and tear,” Yafai said. “Usually injuries start to pile up in the end because kids’ bodies are worn out from a long tough season.”
Live Oak was decimated at running back for several games this season with the absence of Keith Cooke, Daniel Salinas and Michael Wolfe. And Gilroy finished the season with no reserve line backers.
“I think that even if we were a healthy team, there would be quite a few games this year that we were overmatched,” Yafai said. “We would have had to play really spectacular over our heads to win. Live Oak and us have played real scrappy.”
Gilroy played teams like Terra Nova and SLV, which both finished with 10-0 records. Live Oak also played against some of the top teams in the area during the preseason like Milpitas, Oak Grove and Seaside.
“We’re playing some of the powerhouse of the league,” Yafai said. “It’s not that us and Live Oak are poor teams. I think we are good teams. Just look at all the teams Live Oak and Gilroy played in the preseason and regular season. It’s not how you start it is how you finish.”
The coaches should not blamed. High school coaches as successful as Webb and Yafai don’t just all of a sudden lose their touch or their knowledge of the game.
“It goes in cycles,” Yafai said. “Two seasons ago we both made it to the CCS playoffs. Last year we were 7-3 and Live Oak was down. This year both our squads are down. Maybe next year they are both back up. You just never know from one year to the next.”
It all depends on the personnel.
“Sometimes you get a real stellar crop of athletes and ball players for a year or two,” Yafai said. “Other years you might not have a lot of depth on the offensive line. Maybe you only have one or two tremendously skilled players whereas before you had eight or nine.”
