The Monterey Bay area is buzzing with anticipation as the latest preseason top‑10 high school football rankings have been released, setting the stage for a competitive season ahead.
Among the highlighted programs, Palma stands out for its talented tailback who already holds Division I offers, while two of its offensive linemen are drawing serious interest from top college programs.
Salinas, despite a thin bench beyond its starters, is chasing its 18th consecutive playoff berth, a streak that reflects both consistency and the pressure to maintain a storied tradition.
Soquel enters the conversation with a remarkable recent record, having compiled 32 wins and only seven losses over the past three seasons, including a league championship and a state title that have raised expectations.
Carmel’s size advantage could keep it competitive in the Gabilan Division, even though a late July start may cause a slow beginning to the campaign.
King City, which broke several droughts last year, returns with a group of players eager to build on that momentum and make an even bigger impact this fall.
North Salinas overachieved in its return to the Gabilan Division last fall, securing its third straight playoff appearance and adding a narrative of resilience.
Alisal’s Trojans rode the legs of Jayden Duarte to another postseason birth and will now need to adopt a committee approach to sustain their momentum.
Hollister’s return to the postseason for the second time in 17 years serves as fresh motivation for the team as they look to capitalize on recent success.
Quarterback Concerns and Other Critical Issues
Monterey has been hampered by a lack of a true quarterback after Week 4, a setback that contributed to a seven‑game slide following a promising 3‑0 start.
Stevenson has shown steady improvement in the win column over the last three years, but the graduation of key offensive weapons may test that progress.
Meanwhile, teams such as Scotts Valley, Soledad, Aptos, San Lorenzo Valley and Alvarez sit on the bubble, reminding observers that the June rankings are fluid and should be taken with a grain of salt.