Non-league football thoughts

 We can speculate all we want. Make bold predictions that are only used on bulletin boards. The truth is there is more uncertainly going into league play this year because of the new divisions.
 That's not a bad situation.
 Non-league play isn't always a true indicator of what lies in store when the league season unfolds in seven days. It's a fresh start.
 Think about this. Salinas was 1-2 in non-league last fall, shutout 27-0 in its final tuneup. So who had them running off 10 straight wins and winning a CCS Open Division I title?
 Guess what? The Cowboys are 1-2 going into the start of Gabilan Division play again this year. Can they repeat the feat? Are you willing to bet against them?
 Oh, non-league play gave us some indication of who is a contender. But we already knew Palma was going to be in the mix for a 34th straight playoff appearance. Being 3-0 isn't a shock.
 With Carmel having its entire arsenal of offensive weapons, speculation was it would be a contender this fall in the Mission Division. I'm not sure beating Salinas was on anyone's radar.
 Lets not hand the Cypress Division to Monterey just yet. Lets see how the program responds after it fell from the unbeaten ranks to North Salinas on Friday.
 Speaking of the Vikings, first year coach Ben Ceralde has them riding a three game winning streak going into Mission Division play, putting a nine-game losing streak in the closest with the old gear.
 Gonzales will go into Santa Lucia Division play undefeated at 3-0 and the favorite. Yet, head coach Art Berlanga has pointed out they were the favorites last year and things didn't pan out.
 Of course, the difference this year is confidence. That started last fall when the Spartans won three of their final four games.
 No one needs a fresh start more than defending MTAL champion Soledad, who is winless going into the start of Mission Division play, and riddled by injuries and instability.
 Seaside is doing some sole searching after an 0-3 non-league season, in which it has been outscored 76-13 in its last two games. Has a last second loss to Monterey lingered mentally?
 One of the more improved teams in the area has been Pacific Grove, who has already produced more points than all of last year in just three games.
 Top to bottom, the Mission Division will be the most competitive among the four divisions. If I had one sleeper team among the four divisions -- it's Alisal.