Carmel football

 Clearly this is a program that could make some noise in the Division V playoffs.
 But was Carmel's surge in the last month too late?
 Assuming the Padres get past 1-7 Pacific Grove on Friday, it will finish the season with four straight wins and a 6-4 record.
 However, Carmel will likely only have 19 points. Last year 19 1/2 points was the cutoff.
 That's not to suggest 19 points won't be enough. But there are only eight at-large spots open for both the Division IV and Division V brackets.
 The Padres four losses this year are to legitimate teams. Gilroy is 8-0. Soledad and Scotts Valley are going to share the Mission Division title. And Christopher is headed towards an 8-2 season.
 Still failing to hold a 21-0 halftime lead to Gilroy and letting a 14-point second half lead evaporate in Soledad could come back to haunt Carmel.
 "We've had to go through some adversity,''  Carmel coach Golden Anderson said. "Winning just does not happen. Losing those games made these kids understand what it takes to get better.''
 The Padres second half resurgence stems from getting three starters back, notable sophomore Dakota Mornhinweg, who missed the first six games because of the transfer rule.
 Mornhinweg has scored eight touchdowns in three games this fall for Carmel, who has outscored opponents 149-32 since his return.
 Mornhinweg's return has enabled Anderson to put players back in their normal positions. You're seeing a more fluid offense behind quarterback Kai Lee -- one with confidence.
 That in turn has ignited a young and maturing defense, as evident by junior Zach DeZee picking off three passes against King City.