One thing's for sure this year in the Monterey Bay League Pacific Division. That thing is nothing's for sure.
Since the MBL formed its two-tier equity league in 2012, each year the Pacific — the MBL's lower division — has had an unbeaten league champion. This year that seems highly unlikely seeing that all six teams that return, and the league's newcomer Monterey, all finished with a .500 or worse record.
“There's not a lot of star players in league this year," Pajaro Valley coach Joe Gregorio said.
Last year, Alisal and Seaside both went 5-5, while the Trojans and North Monterey County tied for second place in league going 4-2. With all this uncertainty going into the 2016 season it gives many teams hope of ending playoffs droughts and possible a league title.
“It's open,” Gregorio said of who's the favorite to win the MBL-Pacific. “It breaks down to injuries and what teams gel the best once league play starts.”
As the 2016 season approaches there's renewed optimism at all seven schools heading into the season and that's what should happen in an equity league where's there's no clear favorite.
Alisal (5-5)
Alisal will have the benefit of returning the most experienced quarterback in the MBL-Pacific behind three-year starter and senior Raul Garnica. Garnica took great care of the ball last year throwing for 10 touchdowns to only two interceptions.
Garnica will be learning his third new offense in as many seasons as Cesar Chaidez entered his first-year as coach of Alisal.
Senior Julio Galeane will anchor Alisal's defense. Galeane will be counted on to make plays again after leading the team in sacks the previous year.
Gilroy (3-7)
In Jubenal Rodriguez's first season as coach of Gilroy it was all about changing the culture, this season it's about returning the program back to winning ways. Junior Jon Jon Castro is back to lead Rodriguez's Wing-T offense.
The Mustangs will kickoff it's season with a bang in taking on crosstown rival Christopher on Aug. 26.
If Gilroy plans to be a contender in the MBL-Pacific they will know early as they open league with a pair of road games, visiting Alisal and Seaside both of them are considered among the preseason favorites in the league.
Monterey (2-8) * Played in the MBL-Gabilan in 2015
When your hire a head coach just five weeks before the start of the year while competing in one of the toughest leagues in the CCS, success was going to be a difficult road. After going 1-5 in MBL-Gabilan play, and losing a ton of senior talent, Monterey was demoted to the MBL-Pacific.
This year, under second-year coach Dan Brown, the Toreadores will look to turn the lumps it faced in the Gabilan into success against teams in the Pacific.
Monterey will battle low numbers but return quarterback Anthony Cortez, who split time with quarterback Nakeshlon Wills, who has since graduated.
North Monterey County (4-6)
After a sluggish preseason North Monterey County came alive in league play winning four of its six games last year. This year NMC looks to build off that into more league success and a possible MBL-Pacific title.
NMC will play a factor in who wins league this year. Whether they themselves are in the mix, like the rest of this league, will be up in the air.
The Condors will play all their home games at Alvarez as their field is getting a much, much needed upgrade from grass to synthetic turf.
Pajaro Valley (4-6)
Pajaro Valley showed promise last year going 4-0 in its non-league games but a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Jesus Fernandez in that final non-league contest derailed those plans. Jacob Martinez, who took over as quarterback following the injury to Martinez will lead the Grizzlies' spread attack.
The Grizzlies also return both their entire offensive and defensive lines anchored by Daniel Perez and Alfonso Melgoza while Kevin Suarez will man the secondary. P.V. will likely have another strong non-league record after games against St. Francis Central Coast Catholic, Stevenson, Soquel and Greenfield.
Question is can they find success once league play starts.
“That's what we're hoping for,” Gregorio said. “We return both our offensive and defensive lines and that's where it starts.”
Seaside (5-5)
Seaside hasn't made the playoffs since 2013 which for Al Avila's program must feel like forever. One of the most successful programs in the Monterey Bay in recent memory has had a bit of decline since the equity-league formed.
The Spartans return the league's top rusher in senior Keishawn Robinson (818 yards, six touchdowns) who was named the MBL-Pacific Player of the Year who will be counted on heavily if Seaside hopes to return to the playoffs. Seaside will also return senior and last year's co-Underclassman of the Year lineman T.J. Monu and fellow all-league selection defensive back Malik Jeter.
The Battle of the Bay game against rival Monterey takes place in the final game of the season and a league title could possibly be on the line.
Watsonville (4-6)
Ever since Ron Myers returned for his second stint as coach of Watsonville the build back to success has been slow but steady. In Myers' first year the ‘Catz went 3-7 followed by a 4-6 outing last year and this year along with its roster expectations have been raised.
Myers will have roster with over 50 players — the most of any team in league — including quarterback Jose Rocha to run his double wing offense. Rocha won't be asked to throw it often but when he does Watsonville hopes to make the most of it. When not passing Rocha will handoff to a bevy of backs like Danny Olivarez, Juan Chavez, Manny Garcia and Matthew Barcelo.
The ‘Catz will again open its season against Pacific Grove who made it to the CCS Division V title game last year.
After a trio of games against Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League opponents Watsonville will open league play with a pair of league games against teams with MBL-Pacific titles aspirations themselves in NMC and Alisal.
