Cypress Division
Pacific Grove (1-9, 0-6)
Growing pains were expected last season. But 1-9 wasn't. Neither was going winless in its final year in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
For the first time since 2010, the Breakers didn't produce a winning record, mustering just 54 points all season.
"It was a freakish year," Pacific Grove coach Chris Morgan said. "Our numbers were low and those that were playing had not come through the program. We didn't have a lot of continuity."
Injuries also took its tole. At one point, Pacific Grove suited up just 17 players for a game, forcing some players to play out of position.
"We were learning on the fly," Morgan said. "There was no one for the younger players to look up to. I'll just leave it at that."
If there was a silver lining in taking their lumps last year, it's that the growing pains have subsided. A new league, a new helmet color scheme and a new attitude has created a new outlook.
The roster is nearly double in size this year with 33 players in uniform. Pacific Grove has assembled a cast of unknown characters determined to right the ship and erase last years hardships.
"You don't forget last year," Pacific Grove linebacker Chase Podell said. "But you have to move past it. If anything, it drives us to work harder to make sure it doesn't happen again."
It won't hurt having Podell back on the defensive side of the ball for the Breakers, along with Matt Alvarado and Gavin Whiteside.
Whiteside reached the Central Coast Section finals last year as a wrestler.
"He's used to being in one-on-one battles," said Morgan, in speaking of Whiteside.
Improvement will come in all phases of the game for the Breakers. It has too. Yet, what they would like to eliminate is the horrific starts.
Slow starts crippled Pacific Grove last year, having been outscored 81-6 in the first quarter. It trailed in every game.
"We don't bring up last year," Morgan said. "A lot of these kids grew up seeing the success of the program. These kids have their own expectations."
Pacific Grove, who failed to score a touchdown in five games last year, will be a little more creative with its roster this fall, utilizing a deep backfield, where as many as five different players could get touches this season.
"We have a little more depth at the skilled positions and on the line," Morgan said. "At some spots, there is no drop off. Competition makes people better."
The quarterback job is coming down to Ben Minik and Freddy Albert. Both saw time behind center last fall for the Breakers.
"I can't give you an answer," Morgan said. "It's that competitive. Ben is athlete. We'll find a spot for him if he's not starting at quarterback."
Look for Blake Moore to be more active on offense as a tight end or receiver. He's also a punishing run blocker.
Moore will likely see time on both sides of the ball, providing a presence at linebacker, along with holdover Podell, and Parker McNally and Chiante Carter.
"We didn't have a lot of heavy leadership last year," Podell said. "We're a completely different team this season. The chemistry was never there. That's not the case with this group."
Playing in the Cypress Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League this fall creates a vision for the Breakers.
"We are where we need to be," said Morgan, now in his 10th season. "It gives us a chance to rebuild and get going again. We have been down this road before."
The last time Pacific Grove went through a 1-9 season, it showed improvement in the win column six straight years -- five of which ended up in the postseason.
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