Monterey football

Pacific Coast Athletic League

Cypress Division

Monterey (3-7, 2-4)

 The last time the Toreadores brought an alum back to be the head coach, they rattled off five straight postseason appearances, even reaching the Central Coast Section Division III finals.

 Henry Lusk's hiring has created expectations. But are they realistic? This is a program that went 2-8, 3-7 and 3-7 over the last three years, dropping its last three games last fall.

 Lusk, a former New Orleans Saints tight end, doesn't see this as a reclamation project. He's back to restore order in a prideful program.

 "We have a lot of work to do," said Lusk, a 1990 Monterey graduate. "Not just with X's and O's, but philosophies on and off the field, particularly as far as discipline is concerned."

 Change not only creates expectations, but nervousness. Players have been held accountable for their actions on and off the field since Lusk was hired back in April.

 "We talked about the importance of being on time for practice and school in our first meeting," Lusk said. "I don't need excuses. We're bringing back an old school mentality to the program."

 With an open mind to utilizing the speed that this program possesses. Lusk has a state qualifying 400 relay team that will open up an offense that struggled with its execution last season.

 "I'm a prodigy of Pete Noble," said Lusk, who played under Noble at Monterey. "And we're going to run his defense. But the offense is going to be up tempo and fast."

 No one was more explosive than Azjani McGill, who averaged 7.8 yards each time he touched the ball last year as a sophomore.

 McGill, who also reached the state meet in the 200, had the two longest touchdowns last year for the Toreadores with an 88 yard run and a 71 yard catch.

 "He's explosive," Lusk said.

 So it Eris Hutchins, who was also a part of that 400 relay team. He's coming off a 19 catch, 219 yard season, and had a 70 yard touchdown run.

 "We're not a smash mouth unit," Lusk said. "We don't have that kind of size up front. It's not about driving people. It's about our quickness. If we hold our blocks for two seconds, we'll be fine."

 The ground game has a grinder in Jonias Thomas, who rushed for 380 yards and caught 17 passes out of the backfield, while Darius Garrard is a punishing fullback.

 "Players have bought into the discipline aspect of the game," Garrard said. "The atmosphere out here is so different. Rules are being enforced."

 What also has changed is the interest level. While most schools are dealing with lower numbers this fall, Lusk had to ask Stevenson and Pacific Grove for equipment for his lower levels.

 "We're building it back up," Lusk said. "We'll have three teams and over 100 kids in the program. We have created a new attitude and a different environment that kids want to be a part off."

 The Toreadores had their moments putting the ball in the air last season with 6-foot-4 Evans Charles throwing for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 "We have a lot of weapons," Lusk said. "Not everyone is going to have a big night. But that doesn't mean they don't have a role in what we're trying to do."

 In this offense, Charles could double those numbers, providing he stays upright. It's possible that he could also line up at tight end on occasion with Chase Curry being an adequate backup.

 "There will be stretches where things don't always go right," Lusk said. "It's part of the process. But our offense has been installed. We'll be something to watch a month from now."

 No question the Toreadores have quick strike potential with all their speed. Some of that speed will spend time on defense, which allowed over 40 points a game in seven losses.

 Stevie Bull returns as a starting defensive back while Charles could also start at safety, a position that has colleges peaking at him. Garrard will also see time on defense at linebacker.

 "The last couple of years have been hard," Garrard said. "I'm a senior. This is the year it changes and we bring that pride back to Monterey."