Gabilan Division
Seaside (6-5, 3-4)
Whether the Spartans belong in the Gabilan Division or not with the smallest enrollment among the seven public school teams, they have proven they can play when they grind on defense.
Seaside was 6-0 when it held an opponent under 21 points last year, winless when it did not. That figure climbs to 14-0 over the last three years.
Yet, Seaside coach Al Avila felt the team and program lost some of its identity last year for what he perceived as a lack of physicality on defense.
"We've always been a physical team going back to my days as a player in the 1970's," Avila said. "In my opinion, we didn't have that last year. Teams put it to us. That's hard to shallow."
Of course, some of that physicality that Avila was speaking about was hampered by injuries, which comes when you play in a powerful league with a roster of 35 players.
"We don't belong in this league based on our numbers," Avila said. "But we're not afraid to play any of these teams. I just wish we had their depth. No one outside this division wants us in their division."
Avila realizes if the Spartans are going to survive the grind of the Gabilan Division, he has to limit the number of plays for those starting on both sides.
"We are going to try and play more guys and hope they develop and make an impact," Avila said. "We wore down in the second half in a lot of those games last year."
Seaside, who has been to the playoffs 11 of the last 14 years, could be down a pair of starters for the first few games of the season as it awaits the CCS clearing players that have transferred.
"We have players that can make an impact," Avila said. "We just don't have the numbers, especially if someone goes down. But we don't want to go away from our style of football."
One of those impact players Avila is speaking about is Gabe Tulua, who when healthy, is one of the more gifted pass rushers in the county.
Injuries limited the 6-foot-3 Tulua to four games last year. Two years ago as a sophomore, he had two interceptions -- one pick six -- and five sacks in two playoff games.
"He could be one of the area's top tight ends as well," Avila said. "We need to keep him healthy. So he'll likely only play on the defensive side of the ball."
Jeremiah Kolone is one of the strongest lineman in the county, using his 280-pound frame to take up space as a nose tackle.
Help eventually will come from transfer Kefu Leander, a 317-pound beast, who was a standout over the summer at two college football camps.
"Oh man, he's a difference maker," said Avila, in speaking of Leander. "He's learned so much since he's gotten here. His technique is still raw."
Leander became the first Marina High player to be named to The Herald's All-County football team last year as a sophomore, and was the Lineman of the Year in the old MTAL's Coastal Division.
Terrance Hawkins has come back in the best shape of his life and will create havoc as a defensive tackle for Seaside.
"Getting back to where we were defensively starts in practice," Hawkins said. "You have to have that look in practice. We need to swarm to the ball."
Having Elijah Robinson for a full season will help solidify the secondary along with returning starter James Davis.
"It's a blue collar attitude out here," the 240-pound Hawkins said. "We have three section champions on our schedule. Nothing is going to come easy with our schedule."
One that will include eight playoff teams from last year, including Bishop O'Dowd, who was 9-3 last season, falling in the North Coast Section playoffs to Marin Catholic.
If Seaside has a concern, it's that several of its top defensive players are also critical components to the offense this coming fall, starting with Robinson, who will lineup at tailback.
"You have to take a beating to deliver one," Avila said. "But when you are a physical team, your body wears down. Because of that, we'll have to spot players that normally wouldn't come off the field."
When Robinson returned to the field after a seven game absence, he scored three touchdowns of 35 yards or longer. He's going to see some openings with Leander and Tevita Kamitoni up front.
Davis is a fleet receiver that's elusive in the open field, streaking down the sidelines to haul in passes in practice from quarterback Tristan Cortez.
"We'll be more balanced," Avila said. "Our quarterbacks are better this year. We have 75 to 80 kids in our entire program. Some schools in our division have that for a varsity roster. We just have to stay healthy."
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