Carmel
Living up to enormous expectations becomes a mental block.
The Central Coast Section Small Division champion Padres have a bullseye on their backs this year as big as -- dare I say -- Palma's.
Carmel didn't just beat teams last fall en route to a perfect 12-0 season. It crushed them, averaging 53.1 points a game -- 58 points a game in three playoff wins.
Duplicating that feat will be a tall order, although I see no one in the Mission Trail Athletic League that can match the Padres' offensive firepower, anchored by quarterback Devin Pearson.
Pearson put up fantasy-like numbers last year as a sophomore, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns. He did not toss an interception in his last eight games. And he added nearly 500 rushing yards.
What made Carmel so dominating last year was its balance on offense, and a defense that allowed just 20 points in the first half in its first 10 games.
There are holes, notably at running back, where 1,700 yards and 32 touchdowns graduated. But there are also 53 players on the roster. And 35 were showing up on a regular basis for a summer passing camp.
A 12-game MTAL winning streak will become 19 by the end of the season. But there is a lot of work in front of the Padres if they have aspirations of defending their CCS title.
John Devine has been writing about high school sports in Monterey County since, well, practically since he was an athlete at King City in the days just after leather helmets. In PrepNation, John has even more in-depth analysis of the latest results and news he's brought to you in The Herald and in his weekly videos.
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7 comments:
Here might be a more impressive stat for Carmel's defense in the MTAL last year.
They gave up 45 points to MTAL league opponents.
21 to Gonzales
12 to RLS
6 to Soledad
6 to PG
In the first half of their MTAL league games they gave up just 6 points. (The 6 to Soledad)
In the first three quarters of MTAL league games they gave up 12 points total. (The 6 to Soledad plus the 6 to PG)
33 of the 45 points they gave up in league play were in the 4th quarter.
I fully understand that football is easily the most popular fall sport. But how about some respect for the others? And honestly, how many sports can say they have multiple CCS champions from our area? I know of one, cross country. How about some respect for the kids who go out and run every day in our hottest weather. I think they deserve some recognition for what they do.
Be patient
It's coming.
Thank you, I do appreciate your time.
Look out for Menlo School, they play Carmel in September and lost to Carmel in the CCS title game last year, putting up 35 points on the defense. With 7 starters returning on defense, a reloading offense, and a packed house up at Menlo, this game will be the toughest test for Carmel.
I agree with James, and frankly think Carmel Volleyball and Water Polo may just as good seasons this fall.
And enough with old stats from last year, thats old glory for old men! That team was good but it's old news.
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