A look at 2008

To early to look towards the fall of 2008?
Not at all.
I expect a changing of the guard in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
I know Pacific Grove has won five straight MTAL titles and 30 consecutive league games.
But Carmel's time has come. Quarterback Ken Johnston and his 2,800 passing yards and 1,000 yard tailback Andrew Keyser will be back.
So to will be four of the five offensive lineman for the Padres.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not writing off Pacific Grove completely. Not as long as Buck Roggeman is still coaching this team. Graduation, though, will gut them at the skilled positions.

Seaside's failure to get out of the first round will serve as incentive. More than 30 kids are already in the weight room. And the season is still eight months off. This team will be back to make a run at a fifth straight Monterey Bay League crown.

It appears that Palma will have Cardinal-Newman of Santa Rosa on its schedule next fall along with Del La Salle.
Both went to the State finals in their respective divisions in 2006. While I applaud the Chieftains for beefing up their schedule, at some point they will have to take a look at their yearly battle with De La Salle.
The last two games have been blowouts. And four of the five have been decided by 14 points or more. Cardinal-Newman will be a better assessment of whether Palma is a state caliber team.