Monterey football

 Programs don't rise from the ashes and find themselves in the spotlight without barriers in their path.
 I suppose you could make the case that success came too easily for the Toreadores in their first year under coach Henry Lusk, going 10-2 last fall after winning eight games the previous three years.
 Clearly, Monterey wasn't ready Friday for the next hurdle, that being a giant leap in facing one of the top teams in Northern California, falling by 41 points.
 Keep in mind, though, it was Marin Catholic who called them, asking to play.
 Why?
 Well, because the Toreadores had earned that respect.
 Monterey wants to get to another level. Now its players -- the majority of which are sophomores and juniors -- got a taste of what the next level is.
 Wow.
 That's a giant mountain to climb.
 The Toreadores are still in the retooling stages in elevating the program into uncharted waters. There has been a culture change, as well as an attitude adjustment.
 Was it a mistake to take on a power like Marin Catholic? Not at all.
 No doubt, players were humbled, confidence was shaken. That doesn't mean lessons weren't learned.   Nothing is attainable if you don't push the pendulum.