There’s only one league in the CCS where every team from 2014 made the post-season.
Not the WCAL or SCVAL-De Anza, but the MBL-Gabilan.
This year for the first time in the MBL-Gabilan’s four-year history the equity is right where it should be.
“The equity in the MBL-Gabilan is quality top to bottom,” said Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo. “Everything is set and is really strong. I don’t see it changing much either as both Monte Vista Christian and Christopher aren't going anywhere. Our league is very strong.”
Christopher won the MBL-Pacific last year and MVC had its most successful year in advancing to the CCS Division IV title game where it fell to Terra Nova.
While the MBL-Gabilan as a whole see’s a change, one thing that will stay the same and that’s Palma’s status as the team to beat.
This year the Chieftains — who have captured at least a share of the MBL-Gabilan three years in a row — understand that there will be no cakewalks this season.
“Competition is fun and sometimes our league is considered weak,” Barry said. “I think this year with our new schedule we are playing a lot of tougher teams, so there’s going to be no games to take off and no games to really slack. We have to stay focused.”
The Chieftains open the year with Sutter, which has gone 13-1 the past two seasons, before taking on three other sections champions all from the CCS in St. Francis (D-II), Sacred Heart Prep (Open) and Aptos (D-III) in nonleague play.
“We have some good returning kids; we have to remain healthy that’s a key,” said Carnazzo. “Depth-wise we have great starters but depth-wise we are getting better every day.”
The Chieftains will have the luxury of having back one of the best quarterback-running back duos in the entire section in senior Jack Richardson and junior Emilio Martinez.
Richardson threw for 1,947 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions and Martinez rushed for 1,501 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“We’ll see whatever the situation is we’ll do what we need to do,” said Richardson, a 6-foot-4 Division I prospect. “Me and Emilio have been working hard this off-season and the whole team has, so I’m fired up to see what we can do this season as a team. It’s going to be a good time.”
Added Carnazzo: “I definitely think Jack’s a Division I prospect and a catch for somebody. But more than anything he’s a consummate team player."
An indication of the new and tougher MBL-Gabilan is the Chieftains will open league play at Christopher on Oct. 2 and at home against MVC on Oct. 16.
For a team with CIF-State bowl aspirations, Palma has the talent, the schedule and the wherewithal to go very far this year.
“There’s not one weak team on our schedule and I love it,” said Martinez. “I really feel like we’ll get a lot better as a team and mature as the season goes along because of all the tough games we have.”
PALMA (9-3, 5-1)
The Chieftains return one of the top quarterback/running back duos in Richardson (6-4, 205) and Martinez (5-9, 185) who combined for nearly 3,500 yards of offense and 40 touchdowns. Along with having his top target in Adrian Valdez (17 catches, 440 yards, five touchdowns) back, Richardson has junior center Drew Dalman (6-3, 250) to anchor the offensive line.
SAN BENITO (9-4, 3-3)
The defending CCS D-I champions will look for continued success. After dropping three straight games to open MBL-Gabilan play last year -- including two in the final seconds -- the Haybalers responded by winning their next six games including triumphs against Palma and Salinas. Senior quarterback R.J. Clark is back to lead a Balers offense. Clark had nearly 1,500 yards of offense and 19 touchdowns. San Benito will return two all-league first-team selections on its offensive line in Will Gularte and Tristian Medina. Andrew Sotelo and Isaac Regalado who combined for 10 interceptions last year will anchor the defense.
SALINAS (8-5, 5-1)
After falling just short of capturing its first CCS title since 2001, the co-MBL-Gabilan champions look to repeat its success from last season. It won’t be easy as the Cowboys will be replacing league MVP Zach McDermott who managed 2,866 yards of offense and 27 touchdowns last season. The Cowboys have to also replace leading rusher Bruce Leighton who rushed for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns while also catching 25 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
Matt Casteneda is the new Cowboy quarterback. All-league MLB Kyle Martorella and tackle Adrian Villalobos will lead the defense.
ALVAREZ (8-4, 3-3)
The Eagles will see a major overhaul on both sides of the ball including losing MBL-Gabilan Offensive Player of the Year in Edric Gamble. Gamble rushed for over 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns last year and running back Cesar Ramirez rushed for over 650 and nine touchdowns. Brandon Yassay will be the new feature back for Alvarez this season who look for holes opened by returning all-leaguer Aldo Flores who will anchor the offensive line. Senior Anthony Venegas will be a dual threat running the ball and making tackles for the Eagles.
MONTEREY (8-3, 4-2)
Monterey will be breaking in a new coach in Dan Brown who got hired in June and had previously coached at Wilcox. Brown will inherit a team that has made the post-season in eight of the last 10 years.
The Toreadores will be led by senior running back Akili Jones who rushed for over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. Teams will be keying on Jones after Carter Aldrete decided not to play football after committing to play baseball at Arizona State. Matthew Wright, an all-league selection, will be the defensive anchor while Cameron Sligh and Michael Armstead will be counted on heavily for a defense that didn’t allow more than 28 points in a game all of last season.
CHRISTOPHER (9-2, 6-0 MBL-Pacific)
After going a perfect 6-0 in MBL-Pacific play, the Cougars got the nod to come up to the much tougher MBL-Gabilan this year. For a team that loves to spread it out and throw it, Christopher will have senior quarterback Matt Adamkiewicz back. Adamkiewicz threw for 3,279 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, but the 5-10, 190-pound quarterback loses his top four receivers from last season to graduation. Protecting Adamkiewicz will be Jared Huddleston (6-4, 285) who garnered Offensive Lineman of the Year last year. Middle linebacker Brendan Lerma (6-0, 225) will anchor the Cougars' defense.
MONTE VISTA CHRISTIAN (10-3, 5-1)
Coming off its most successful season in program history -- one that included a trip the CCS D-IV title game -- MVC got the bump up to the MBL-Gabilan. In its previous stint in the Gabilan two years ago MVC went 1-5, but this time the Mustangs are more equipped for the rigors of the Gabilan. The Mustangs return D’Shawn Hopkins who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, quarterback Ryan Spohn who threw for 1,238 yards and 15 touchdowns along with Spohn’s leading receiver in Mustafa Majeed (42 catches 429 yards, five touchdowns). Leading MVC’s defense will be the MBL-Pacific’s Defensive Player of the Year Christian Rebottaro who is also an all-state wrestler.
