Outside of Palma and Salinas, no one football program has made more postseason appearances in the county in the last decade than the Padres.
So naturally, after winning eight league titles in the last 10 years, Carmel is the sacrificial lamb this fall, bumped to the Gabilan Division.
"I don't know if it's being penalized for success," Carmel coach Golden Anderson said. "Look at our body of work. We're honored that their opinion is that high on us."
What wasn't taken into consideration nine months ago when this decision was made by a board, was the projected numbers this fall for the entire program for Carmel, which sits at 45.
"We knew what our numbers could potentially look like," Anderson said. "That was explained before the vote. Football is seasonal here. We don't have an off-season training program."
The ramifications of the move have already been felt. In an effort to field a roster beyond 35 players, Carmel will not have a junior varsity program this year.
"As of now, we only have one team," Anderson said. "We hope that will change and we'll field frosh-soph football. There's no youth football in Carmel. Most of our freshman have never played."
In the meantime, the objective has not changed. Relishing the underdog role or playing with a chip on their shoulders, the Padres will be competitive -- at least this year.
During its run of supremacy as a 'B' League team over the last decade, Carmel posted non-league wins over Palma, Salinas, Alvarez and Christopher, all members of the Gabilan Division -- but in separate seasons.
Adding to the adjustment of playing in a more physical and talented division is the fact that the Padres will have eight new starters on offense and defense.
"We haven't spent one minute talking about our division," Anderson said. "The challenge is replacing them. We may be forced to have a few more guys going both ways."
How Carmel holds up playing teams of this caliber on a weekly basis will be a true test of endurance and health?
"The depth is what we normally have," Anderson said. "In this sport, health is always a concern. It's still 11-on-11. Those that are out here are relishing the challenge."
If you're going to start an offense, it doesn't hurt having a three-year starting quarterback in the fold in Kai Lee, who tossed 30 touchdown passes last year.
The 6-foot-3 signal caller has thrown for nearly 4,000 yards and 45 touchdowns in two seasons at the helm for Carmel.
"I just understand the game so much better," Lee said. "I've grown so much mentally. I'm not staring down my primarily receiver any longer. I'm trying to influence the defense with my reads."
The Padres, who went 12-0 last season before falling 41-14 to King's Academy in the Central Coast Section Division V title game, have a entirely new offensive line to protect Lee.
"Guys (Lee) in their third year process things faster and have better command," Anderson said. "Kai keeps us coaches grounded. I'm proud of his development."
Lee will have one of the premier receiving targets in the county in J.T. Byrne, an imposing target at 6-feet-5, with deceptive speed and good hands.
On the outside are a pair of sprinters that ran on the school record setting and state qualifying 400 relay team in Benicio Cristofalo and Lavar Edwards.
"We have got a lot of track speed that can play football," Anderson said. "Based on our personnel, we will try and take advantage of that."
Teams that may drop another defender in the secondary must still account for Carmel's ground game, which includes 1,000 yard tailback Dakota Mornhinweg.
In 17 career games with Carmel, Mornhinweg has rushed for nearly 1,900 yards and 32 touchdowns, while catching 35 passes for seven more touchdowns. He also has six picks on defense.
Defensively, Byrne is a sideline-to-sideline type linebacker while sophomore Amir Brown will be a menace in the trenches. Edwards and Charlie Von Sund are back in the secondary.
"You lose leaders every year," Anderson said. "New ones emerge. We feel we have some seniors that are real good leaders. This is a motivated group."
And with the new format adopted by the CCS, finishing in the middle of the pack could put Carmel right back where it belongs in the postseason in terms of divisions.
"When we do well, everyone hates us," Lee said. "When we lose, everyone is happy. I honestly don't know why. My focus is on just winning games."
No comments:
Post a Comment