Football projections

Mission Trail Athletic League
1. Carmel: Could have two players rush for over 1,000 yards this fall.
2. Soledad: Reigning tri-champions might have the best defense in the MTAL.
3. Pacific Grove: Not a deep roster in terms of depth, but a talented one.
4. Stevenson: The core at the skilled positions is back intact.
5. King City: Will have a more balanced look offensively this fall.
6. Gonzales: Was in the playoff hunt last fall until the final week.
7. Greenfield: More overall team speed could ignite a new offense.
8. Marina: No longer a pushover in the MTAL.

Gabilan Division
1. Palma: Until someone knocks down the door, this is the team to beat.
2. San Benito: A new coach doesn't mean the personnel or talent has changed.
3. Salinas: Will a new quarterback rewrite school records a third straight year?
4. North Salinas: Two-thirds of last year's Pacific Division title team graduated.
5. Monte Vista: Came out of nowhere to challenge for supremacy last fall.
6. Alvarez: A new coach means a transition period for a program changing its philosophy.
7. Christopher: Is 2-10 in two seasons in the Gabilan Division.

Pacific Division
1. Seaside: A suffocating defense and a dynamic ground game.
2. Alisal: Renewed optimism swirling around the Trojans campus.
3. Monterey: Coach Dan Brown has a history of turning programs around in his second year.
4. North County: Renovations to their field will force the Condors to play 10 road games.
5. Watsonville: Its last winning season in 2009 coincided with a league title.
6. Gilroy: Scored just 16 points in the first quarter last season.
7. Pajaro Valley: Showed flashes of turning the corner last season.