1. M.V.C. (7-2, 5-1): The Mustangs lost a triple-overtime heartbreaker against Seaside High in the regular season finale.
Monte Vista Christian now has to share the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission division title with the Spartans and Alisal High, which hadn’t won a league title in 16 years.
The loss also hurt them a bit in the Central Coast Section seeding for the playoffs.
Next up, the No. 7 mustangs play at No. 2 Branham High (9-1, 6-1) of San Jose in the opening round of the CCS Division IV playoffs.
2. Aptos (5-5, 4-3): The Mariners lost two straight games to end the regular season.
Both of those losses were hard-fought battles against CCS D-II playoff teams.
Aptos High is going into the CCS D-III playoffs as the No. 4 seed.
It will take on a familiar foe in No. 5 San Benito (4-3, 5-5), which beat the Mariners in their league opener.
It’s a brand new season and coach Randy Blankenship knows how to hit the reset button for the playoffs.
Plus, they’ll be looking for some redemption against the Haybalers.
3. St. Francis (7-3, 5-1): The Sharks finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak and were by far the most improved team at the end of the year.
St. Francis High was runner-up to Pacific Grove High (7-3, 6-0) in the PCAL Santa Lucia division.
The Sharks will have a solid team next season with hopeful returners such as juniors Josh Hernandez, Pedro Valencia and Davin Avila along with sophomore breakout Johrdan Garibay.
4. N.M.C. (6-4, 3-3): North Monterey County High won the first three PCAL Cypress division games and then lost the final three to close out the season.
The most frustrating part had to be the penalties they piled up throughout the season.
Many penalties came in situations that stalled big-time drives on offense or the defense gave opponents a new set of downs.
They did show glimpses of a what a championship team can look like.
The Condors were led by seniors Brandon Ducusin and Riley Anderson for most of the season. But they also had some breakout players in juniors Kobe Hatten and Jason Mellin and sophomore Nico Torres.
5. Pajaro Valley (2-8, 2-4): The Grizzlies were on a roller coaster that seemed to be going downhill for most of the season.
They were shutout four times, including their season finale against Stevenson School. They also played against some tough teams in the preseason (Mendota High and Soquel High).
Pajaro Valley High won two league games in the same season for the second time in the program’s history, which was a plus for them.
And they have some hopeful returners such as junior Martin Gonzalez, who was their M.V.P. this season.
6. Watsonville (3-7, 1-5): The Wildcatz closed out the season with one of the biggest upsets of the year. A win against long-time rival Santa Cruz High.
Watsonville High spoiled a perfect season in PCAL Cypress league play for the Cardinals at home in their season finale.
The Wildcatz will lose several seniors such as captain Ryan Itamura, Daniel Carlos and Blake Mares.
But juniors Nasser Sabla and Anthony Lozano should lead the way for a group of up-and coming players coming from the J.V. squad, which won a league title this season.
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Editor’s Note: This article will be published in the Nov. 15 edition of The Pajaronian.
