See a breakdown of each football team in the Tri-County Athletic
League, as well as predictions on how each team will finish this
season.
TCAL BREAKDOWN
ALISAL – The Alisal Trojans boasted a senior-heavy team last season, especially at the skill positions. Quarterback Alfredo Aportela, running back Armando Enriquez and wide receiver Milton Grant Jr. all depart from a team that went 2-4 in the TCAL, 4-6 overall. With TCAL selections Aaron Suarez-Lopez (DB) and Jose Tapia (LB) leaving the team due to graduation as well, the Trojans will look to last season’s strong junior varsity class to fill some of this season’s varsity holes.
“We have some guys that should fill in for that and a lot of guys who didn’t get as many carries last year,” head coach Sunil Smith said. “We lost some names, but we had an extremely talented JV class and we’re very optimistic about that.”
Alisal’s strength will stem from its front line. Last year’s Sophomore of the Year, Andy Ruvalcaba, is back, and should anchor a defensive front that returns seven starters. The offensive line brings back three of its five starters.
One player expected to make an impact is RB/LB Oscar Pearson. However, Smith noted Pearson suffered a “pretty significant” injury recently, and will miss some time as a result.
ALVAREZ – A transplant from North Salinas High, where he was offensive coordinator the previous four years, first-year head coach Ralph Ward will bring his offensive prowess to an Alvarez team aching for success after a 1-9 (0-6) performance last season. Ward said his offense will showcase multiple formations anchored by an experienced offensive line led by three seniors: David Vasquez, John Villalobos and Ivan Cervantez.
“Our offensive line has good size, they play smart and have great leadership,” Ward said. “They are basically the staple of our team.”
Despite the Eagles’ unfavorable record last season (Alvarez is 1-28-1 the past three seasons), five of the nine losses they suffered were of 12 points or less, providing coach Ward with a sense that his team is on the verge of a positive year.
“We are working really hard and the kids are doing what they are asked so far,” Ward said. “To me the TCAL is easily one of the top-two leagues in the CCS. There aren’t going to be any gimmies. Every team should be considered the favorite because every year there is a sleeper team vying for the title.
Alvarez opens the season at Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville), a team it beat last year 36-21 for its lone win.
GILROY – Gilroy High’s ability to replace key players on the offensive side of the ball will most likely determine if the Mustangs can earn a third straight Tri-County Athletic League title. Gone are the quarterback-receiver tandem of Jamie Jensen and Dante Fullard, who caused league foes fits by connecting for 15 touchdowns through the air last season. Stepping into fill those big shoes will be seniors Nick Marra and Bryan Sanchez. Marra played well as a backup to Jensen in limited action last season, while Sanchez has shown flashes of becoming the next great receiver in Gilroy’s spread attack. Of Gilroy’s seven All-TCAL selections last season, four of which were came from the defense, only linebacker Logan Sweeney returns. He is expected to lead another stingy unit with linebacker Eric Vegas, safety Jordan Holler and a cast of other strong seniors who helped the Mustangs allow just 16 points per game last season. Greg Garcia has taken over the program after spending the past few seasons as an assistant. The new coach said he doesn’t plan to change anything considering the Mustangs’ recent success.
NORTH SALINAS – The Vikings enjoyed their best season in the TCAL last year, compiling a 5-1 record, 9-2 overall, to earn a share of the league title with Gilroy and Palma. The title was not only North Salinas’ first-ever TCAL championship, but also its first league crown since 1985, when it won the Monterey Bay League. North Salinas fell in the opening round of the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs to Valley Christian. The Vikings will be reloading this year as it is without the services of many of last season’s top players, most notably running back Mark Ramos. But with a great offseason under its belt, head coach Steve Zenk said, his team doesn’t need to look far for motivation; its recent success provides plenty. “We have a really good group of kids again,” Zenk said.
Running is usually North’s strength, and Marquis Brooks (47 carries, 445 yards, 5 TDs) should carry the load.
PALMA – Jeff Carnazzo expects this season’s Tri-County Athletic League title chase to be “a dogfight,” which is why the Palma coach scheduled four out-of-league opponents that will be anything but cupcakes for the Chieftains. Taking on Spanish Springs of Nevada, Saint Francis and Cardinal Newman in the first three weeks, and Seaside in Week 5, Carnazzo expects such tests to better prepare his squad for the rigors of league play. A long list of contributors return from last season’s team, which shared the TCAL title with North Salinas and Gilroy. Receiver/safety Bruce Taylor is expected to be the Chieftains’ premiere playmaker on both sides of the ball, while Justin Olivarria should shoulder the rushing load after gaining 1,033 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns as a junior. Austin Fales replaces his older brother, David, at quarterback now that last season’s TCAL Co-MVP is playing for the University of Nevada. While Palma’s offense will be explosive — sophomore tailback Jack Myers is another player to watch — Carnazzo said a linebacking core led by Mike Sarmiento and John Andrus should be the team’s biggest strength.
SALINAS – A year removed from posting a 3-3 TCAL record (7-5 overall) and its first CCS playoff berth in five seasons, the Salinas Cowboys will rely on senior speedster Alvin Jelks on offense and a rebuilt defense led by senior inside linebacker Blake Aldrete to propel them to the top of the standings in 2009. Jelks’ 1,421 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns earned him TCAL Junior of the Year honors, a distinction he shared with Palma’s Bruce Taylor. The 6-foot-1 190-pound senior running back will shoulder the bulk of the offensive load, again scampering behind 6-foot-5, 260-pound offensive tackle Chandler Hubbard for a team that amassed more than 2,300 yards on the ground in 2008.
“Every week is like a rivalry game,” said fourth-year head coach Steve Goodbody of the gritty TCAL. “The league is competitive every year and we like it like that. It’s anybody’s, it’s up for grabs. It prepares all the teams for the playoffs.”
The Cowboys defeated Andrew Hill in the first round of the CCS Division I playoffs before being bounced in the second by top-seeded Wilcox.
The Cowboys open up the ’09 campaign with four road games, including a Week 2 date with Live Oak on Sept. 11.
SAN BENITO – The key to the Balers’ success this season could revolve around its offense, and perhaps even more specifically, around the offense staying healthy. Limited to a TCAL-low 70 points last season, San Benito’s attack was plagued by injuries. Even its emergency third-string quarterback took a few snaps under center.
“I’m gonna keep every finger and toe crossed as I can to keep that going,” San Benito head coach Chris Cameron, who is entering his 16th season, said about staying healthy.
Having missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the Balers, which went 1-5 in the TCAL last season, 3-7 overall, will look to break that streak this year. With key returners such as quarterback Trevor Fabing, running back Nick Acosta, wideout Andre Cornell and offensive lineman Courtland Thompson making an impact on the offensive side of the ball, San Benito also returns plenty from last season’s stout defense. The linebacking corps remains nearly intact, anchored by Michael Murphy, Taylor Coustette and Robert Pinedo. San Benito’s secondary includes returners Alex Alvarez, Jordan Ashford, Sal Ornelas and Conner Stevens.
2009 PREDICTIONS
Team 2008 TCAL Record
1. Palma 5-1
Palma lost less contributors than the teams it shared the TCAL title with last season, making the Chieftains the early favorites in the TCAL. Bruce Taylor is the frontrunner for league MVP.
2. Gilroy 5-1
Gilroy’s offense and defense lost many of its top players, but a strong senior class should keep the Mustangs competitive. The defense should be the team’s strength this season.
3. North Salinas 5-1
Steve Zenk got his program going in the right direction last year by getting kids to buy into his tough, smashmouth style.
4. Salinas 3-3
The Cowboys play a pretty straightforward style of football but running back Alvin Jelks could make this team a sleeper for TCAL title contention.
4. San Benito 1-5
The Haybalers have had a rough couple of years due to injuries and improved programs in league. If the team stays healthy, it should improve on last season’s three wins.
5. Alisal 2-4
The Trojans are hoping a strong junior varsity program can boost up the varsity after losing key players following several less than stellar seasons.
7. Alvarez 0-6
The Eagles are under new direction with coach Ralph Ward, who inherits a program that has done little else than lose games in recent years. Ward’s years at North Salinas provide him unique insight on how to turn a program around quickly.
