APTOS—The Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division is packed with some of the most talented football players in the area on a yearly basis.
That’s why picking the league’s top player is, at times, the hardest decision to make during the annual coaches meeting.
Aptos High senior and two-way player Caden Prichard made a big case for himself this season.
Not only was he a threat on both sides of the field, but he also helped the Mariners to their first-ever Gabilan Division title in the program’s history.
Along with his skillful play, Prichard’s leadership on and off the field was another key factor why coaches within the league named Prichard the Gabilan Division’s Most Valuable Player for 2022.
“I’m extremely proud and honored to be among the other players that have been named before me,” he said. “There’s a lot of talented players in our league, to be named the most valuable is pretty surreal.”
Aptos coach Randy Blankenship broke the news to Prichard a day prior to their Central Coast Section Division II playoff game against St. Ignatius on Nov. 18.
The longtime Mariners coach got a little choked up when he told Prichard, who then jumped for joy knowing he was the division’s best player this season.
“I had a smile ear to ear and he gave me a big hug,” Prichard said.
Prichard walked down to the parking lot where he told some teammates and they began chanting “MVP”.
According to the MontereyBay Preps website, Prichard had 1,038 yards rushing on 101 carries this season. He was 12 yards shy of Palma senior JC Escutia, who had 1,050 yards on 196 carries for the division rushing title.
Prichard made up for it with 464 yards receiving and 16 catches, giving him 1,502 total yards on offense this season.
He led the Gabilan Division with 17 total touchdowns– 13 rushing and 4 receiving –this season.
Prichard was also a huge presence on defense, helping the Mariners during crucial situations with the game on the line.
Outside of football, Prichard said he knows to stay humble and having a good head on his shoulders is what makes players great.
But once he hits the football field, Prichard wants to be the best football player out there and will do whatever it takes to prove it.
“Oddly enough, I kind of always feel like I’m the best,” he said. “It’s kind of a mindset that I want to take into every game.”
Last year, Prichard had a breakout performance with 124 yards rushing on 18 carries and two touchdowns in the CCS D-I first round playoff game against St. Francis.
Blaneknship noticed that his stud running back was playing at a different level than he had that season.
Blankenship told Prichard to keep playing with the same intensity, as well as setting goals for the team and individually.
Prichard said they all made it pretty clear that a Gabilan Division championship was on the list. The Mariners achieved that goal by finishing as tri-champion along with Palma and Salinas.
“Personally I wanted to lead the league in rushing and touchdowns, I wanted to become the MVP,” Prichard said. “I made that happen.”
Prichard said being recognized as the top player in the league means a lot, especially because the countless hours he put in is paying off.
He’s hopeful this award opens up some doors because he wants to continue his football career at the next level.
Before that, he’ll be on the Mariners’ track team competing in the 100-meter, 200, 4×100 and the shot put in the upcoming 2023 spring season.
“I’m just happy to make the people surrounding me proud and I hope that my dad is, too,” Prichard said. “I was supported by a great cast of people and players and I don’t think I could do it without them.”
Below is a list of All-PCAL players who were given individual awards and named to their respective teams within the four divisions.
Gabilan Division
Most Valuable Player: Caden Prichard, Aptos
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Adam Shaffer, Salinas
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Logan Saldate, Palma
First team
Adam Shaffer, Salinas, QB
Matt Hood, Aptos, QB
Caden Prichard, Aptos, RB
Dante Aranda, Aptos, RB
JC Escutia, Palma, RB
Nyziah Hunter, Salinas, WR
Emmerson Menjivar Cortez, Salinas, WR
Isaiah Molina, Hollister, WR
Logan Saldate, Palma, WR
Jose Escutia, Palma, OL
Michael Curto, Hollister, OL
Ben Bruno, Aptos, OL
Alex Campbell, Aptos, OL
Jake Freitas, Salinas, OL
Second team
Thomas Nunes, Palma, QB
Abel Galindo, Hollister, RB
Diego Chaidez, Alisal, RB
Lawrence Ingram IV, Aptos, RB
Dayven Marquez, Salinas, RB
Myles Reber, Santa Cruz, WR
Zach Ball, Salinas, WR
Kain Holly, Alvarez, WR
Jesus Maciel, Alisal, WR
Gael Garcia, Alvarez, OL
Anthony Saldana, Salinas, OL
Matthew Villareal, Hollister, OL
Thomas Ducker, Palma, OL
Mander Miller, Aptos, OL
First team defense
Aidan Flynn, Salinas, LB
Collin Mennie, Aptos, LB
Alex Valencia, Hollister, LB
Noah Orozco, Palma, LB
Alex Sewell, Salinas, LB
Emmerson Menjivar Cortez, Salinas, DB
Gabriel Sanchez, Hollister, DB
Blake Byers, Aptos, DB
Drew Molinari, Palma, DB
Asher Kearns, Hollister, DL
Chance Brown, Hollister, DL
Jordi Martinez, Aptos, DL
Thomas Ducker, Palma, DL
Malakai Ross-Graves, Santa Cruz, DL
Second team defense
Owen Sargenti, Palma, LB
Isaiah Romero, Salinas, LB
Maliki Harrison, Hollister, LB
Jacob Peinado, Alvarez, LB
Damion Gonzales, Alisal, DB
Angel David Mandujano, Alisal, DB
Myles Reber, Santa Cruz, DB
Josiah Garnica, Salinas, DB
Dominic Chaidez, Palma, DB
Diego Chaidez, Alisal, DL
Franz Pohlmann, Santa Cruz, DL
Quinn Kerko, Aptos, DL
Ashton Ballesteros, Salinas, DL
Josh Na, Salinas, DL
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Anthony Enriquez, Alisal
Devon Gonzales, Alvarez
Alex Bjorn, Aptos
Diego Villalpando, Hollister
Bradley Collins, Palma
Chris Carreon, Salinas
Franz Pohlmann, Santa Cruz
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship team: None chosen.
Mission Division
Co-Most Valuable Player: Jeter Olivares, Seaside
Co-Most Valuable Player: Jordan McCord, Soquel
Defensive Player of the Year: Justice Grauel, Soquel.
First team offense
Preston White, Monterey, QB
Niko Iles, Scotts Valley, RB
Jamie Ledesma, Monte Vista Christian, RB
Enobong Wirth, Monterey, RB
Jordan McCord, Soquel, WR
Kavon Collins, Monterey, WR
Jeter Olivares, Seaside, WR
Levi Elmore, Monterey, WR
Luke Akiyama, Soquel, OL
Jackson Lloyd, Carmel, OL
Nick Klaric, Soquel, OL
Raul Robles, Seaside, OL
Marshall Dodge, Scotts Valley, OL
Luke Lange, Monte Vista, TE
Second team offense
Cole Johnson, Soquel, QB
Simeon Brown, Carmel, WR
Quinn Turoski, Scotts Valley, WR
Ty Arnold, Carmel, WR
Nico Downie, Monte Vista Christian, WR
Jake Sporleder, Soquel, OL
Dakota Smith, Seaside, OL
Isaac Crivello, Monterey, OL
Jesus DeAlfaro, North Salinas, OL
River Deschenes, Monterey, OL
Defensive first team
Nathan Schwener, Seaside, LB
Nate Cruz, Monterey, LB
Jess Ringel, Scotts Valley, LB
Justice Grauel, Soquel, LB
Soakai Funaki, Monterey, LB
Jeter Olivares, Seaside, DB
Brady Seichen, Scotts Valley, DB
Ashton Rees, Carmel, DB
Demajae Roberson, North Salinas, DB
Erik Lualemana, Seaside, DL
Roland Foliaki, Seaside, DL
Chesser Keegan, Scotts Valley, DL
Tanner Towbridge, Soquel, DL
Cade Petersen, Soquel, DL
Second team defense
Jason Martorella, Soquel, LB
Kevin Zarazua, Carmel, LB
Kyle Recotta, Monte Vista Christian, LB
Christian Campos, North Salinas, LB
Colton Dureson, Scotts Valley, DB
Ryken Resurrection, Monte Vista, DB
Jose Chavez, Soquel, DL
Toby Strawser, Carmel, DL
Javier Moran, North Salinas, DL
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Kevin Zarazua, Carmel
Ryan Santillian, Monterey
Reagen Rivera, Monte Vista
Javier Moran, North Salinas
Nick Arcangeli, Scotts Valley
Dakota Smith, Seaside
Tyler Smith, Soquel
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship team: Carmel
Cypress Division
Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Hatten, Rancho San Juan
Defensive Player of the Year: Andy Valdez, Soledad
Lineman of the Year: Miguel Orozco, St. Francis
First team offense
Jjey Martinez, King City, QB
Dominic Chavez, Soledad, QB
Peyton Hatten, Rancho San Juan, RB
Diego Wolfe, St. Francis, RB
Adrian Garcia, King City, WR
Daniel Raso, Soledad, WR
Christian Magana, St. Francis, WR
Christian Abdoo, St. Francis, TE
Noah Pacheco, King City, OL
Richard Fuentes, Rancho San Juan, OL
Anthony Trevino, Soledad, OL
Miguel Orozco, St. Francis, OL
Joel Salas, Watsonville, OL
Ivan Salcido, Soledad, Utility
Second team offense
Nolan Tompkins, Rancho San Juan, QB
Kyle Dyer, St. Francis, QB
Chris Rasmussen, North County, RB
Francisco Ballestero, Soledad, RB
Adan Garcia-Loa, King City, WR
Julian Pineda, Rancho San Juan, WR
Victor Ruano, Soledad, WR
Raul Garcia, King City, TE
Ethan Yates, North County, OL
Pete Gamecho, Pacific Grove, OL
Jacob Ruiz, Rancho San Juan, OL
Erick Parra, Soledad, OL
Steven LaGrange, St. Francis, OL
Ryan Ruiz, North County, Utility
First team defense
Adrian Garcia, King City, DB
Ian Rey, Rancho San Juan, DB
Jaiden Blanco, Soledad, DB
Diego Ramirez, St. Francis, DB
Isaac Benavides, King City, LB
Noah Garry, Pacific Grove, LB
Anthony Abarca, Rancho San Juan, LB
Andy Valdez, Soledad, LB
Nehthaniel Madrigal-Hernandez, St. Francis, LB
Raul Garcia, King City, DL
Evan Woods, Pacific Grove, DL
Jacobo Ruelas, Soledad, DL
Damien Matos, Soledad, DL
Nicolas Ibarra, St. Francis DL
Second team defense
Branden Villasenor, King City, DB
Julian Pineda, Rancho San Juan, DB
Dominic Chavez, Soledad, DB
Pedro Ibarra, St. Francis, CB
Alex Guzman, North County, LB
John Wood, Rancho San Juan, LB
Adam Velarde, Soledad, LB
Christian Abdoo, St. Francis, LB
Gavin Valencia, St. Francis, LB
Max Morales, King City, DL
Isaiah Garife, North County, DL
Ryan Bell, Pacific Grove, DL
Peyton Hatten, Rancho San Juan, DL
Manny Sanchez Vega, Soledad, DL
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Jace Espino, King City
Steven Poudrier, North County
Kai Hatton, Pacific Grove
Nolan Tompkins, Rancho San Juan
James Lara, Soledad
Reece Borrmann, St. Francis
Vicente Baltazar, Watsonville
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship team award: St. Francis
Santa Lucia Division
Most Valuable Player: Trent Toole, Stevenson
Offensive Player of the Year: Champ Flores, Gonzales
Defensive Player of the Year: Tony Fuiava, Marina
First team offense
Charlie Conner, Stevenson, QB
Christian Zavala, Greenfield, QB
Champ Flores, Gonzales, RB
JJ Guevara, Marina, RB
Alonso Barsenas, Greenfield, RB
Ferris Vitali, Harbor, WR
Adrian Perez, Gonzales, WR
Tomas Vargas, Greenfield, WR
Trent Toole, Stevenson, WR
Nathaniel Olivas, Greenfield, OL
Omar David, Marina, OL
Hugo Soto, Gonzales, OL
Noah Persal, Stevenson, OL
Amani Wilson, Stevenson, OL
Second team offense
Ray Blanco, Gonzales, QB
Nico Edeler, Harbor, QB
Juan Macias, Pajaro Valley, RB
Jeo Linares, Harbor, RB
JJ Willis, Marina, RB
Isaac Garcia, Gonzales, WR
Eric Andrew Hernandez, Greenfield, WR
Noah Heath, Marina, WR
Thomas Lansbury, Stevenson, WR
Carlos Alvarez, Gonzales, OL
Alfonso Morelos, Marina, OL
Misael Silva, Greenfield, OL
Alex Carroll, Stevenson, OL
Robert Federico, Pajaro Valley, OL
First team defense
Harrison Fung, Stevenson, DL
Jose Viorato-Castillo, Gonzales, DL
Jonathan Anaya, Greenfield, DL
Michael Thomas, Marina, DL
Eric Viveros, Pajaro Valley, DL
Nathan Cox, Greenfield, LB
Tony Fuiava, Marina, LB
Ely Cisneros, Gonzales, LB
Kai Kobrak, Stevenson, LB
Damian Torres, Pajaro Valley, LB
Ferris Vitali, Harbor, DB
Trent Toole, Stevenson, DB
Jorge Carriedo, Marina, DB
Naythen Hernandez, Greenfield, DB
Second team defense
Aiden Higgens, Harbor, DL
Nico Montes, Gonzales, DL
Marco Silva, Greenfield, DL
Miguel Cano, Marina, DL
Christian Henry, Stevenson, DL
Tommy Dayton, Stevenson, LB
Audon Forgus, Stevenson, LB
Carlos Gonzalez, Greenfield, LB
Jeo Linares, Harbor, LB
Abel Villegas, Gonzales, LB
Sean Ishii, Stevenson, DB
Champ Flores, Gonzales, DB
Tomas Vargas, Greenfield, DB
Gabriel Nolasco-Shah, Pajaro Valley, DB
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team
Alex Gianola Cook, Stevenson
Jovanni Vasquez, Greenfield
Shahel Singh, Marina
Dylan Uribe, Gonzales
Alberto Fernandez, Harbor
Franky Gomez, Pajaro Valley
Elgie Bellizio Team Sportsmanship Award: Harbor
