EDITOR’S NOTE: Herald sports writer John Devine is spending most of this month visiting Monterey County schools to get a sneak peek of their football teams. This and other previews will be available at www..
SALINAS – The memories of North Salinas High’s last appearance in football in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Gabilan Division are, well, forgettable.
A winless league season sent the program spiraling into a complete rebuild that witnessed two winless seasons over a three-year period after being dropped to the less competitive Mission Division.
Getting players to believe, trust the process and be a part of the foundation for the future meant sacrifices, a commitment to restore the pride.
Two straight playoff appearances have catapulted North Salinas back into the Gabilan with arguably the fewest players among the eight teams.
“It’s an opportunity,” North Salinas coach Ben Ceralde said. “That’s been the message. It’s one play at a time. Let’s not focus on the end results, but small results. You always have the next play to prove yourself.”
Eight years in the Mission Division were needed to rebuild that confidence at North Salinas, which has produced more NFL players than any other program in the county.
“I feel this team is prepared,” sophomore tailback Dylan Reynoso said. “We know we’re the underdogs. We relish the role. We know people are calling us a media (on social media) team. We’re not letting it get into our heads.”
Despite having success in three of the past four years in the Mission Division, the Vikings never won a league title and went 1-3 in the playoffs.
“There are mixed emotions about moving up,” Ceralde said. “There is also excitement about the challenge. That’s what life is about. It’s about making yourself better. Let’s raise the bar.”
Ideally, North Salinas could have used another season in the Mission Division to improve its depth, having relied on a pair of freshmen — including Reynoso — last year to put together a seven-win season.
Instead, the Vikings have chosen to embrace the challenge of playing in a division where all nine teams went to the playoffs last year.
“The message is we’re all from the same town,” Ceralde said. “Why can’t we be competitive? Let’s work a little harder. You get what you put into it.”
During 7-on-7 games over the summer, Ceralde saw the confidence grow as the Vikings were effective in moving the ball. Of course, that’s without pressure.
Ceralde has no doubt that his squad is capable of competing against any opponent. The concern is a lack of depth will force him to start several players on both sides of the ball.
The physicality of the Gabilan Division adds to the worries for North Salinas, which has roughly eight linemen for both sides of the ball. Ceralde will likely bring up a couple of players from the JV team.
“We’ll have several guys going both ways,” Ceralde said. “So how do we rotate? There will be coaching decisions. We’re not that deep. Our focus in the off-season was conditioning. We’re addressing it.”
No question the Vikings understand the challenge that awaits them. Over the past two years, the program is 1-5 against teams that are in the Gabilan Division this fall.
“When we learned about the move up, as a group we said ‘let’s go!’” said Reynoso, who earned all-Mission Division South honors last year after leading North Salinas in rushing.
What North Salinas has displayed in its revival is trust in each other, playing perhaps with a chip on their shoulder.
No one made a bigger impact last year on the defensive side than Nathan Barajas, who came up as a freshman and became the heartbeat of the defense.
The Mission Division’s Defensive Player of the Year, the linebacker led the team in tackles last fall, helping a defensive unit record three shutouts in a season for the first time in 30 years.
“He has an edge to him,” Ceralde said. “He became a leader. He has a motor. He has a chip on his shoulder. He has that spark in him.”
Reynoso was another freshman who arrived last season, providing the offense with a game-changing attack and high football IQ, along with tailback Kamari Hunter, the younger brother of current University of Nebraska receiver Nyziah Hunter.
“He (Reynoso) sparked a little competition in the backfield,” Ceralde said. “But he also gained the respect of his teammates. With the aid of his offensive line, Dylan provided results.”
Reynoso averaged 8 yards each time he touched the ball, validating Ceralde’s decision to bring him up, while Hunter recorded a 100-yard rushing effort last year as a junior.
It didn’t hurt that Reynoso had a trio of dominant offensive linemen to run behind in Armando Esquivel, Brandon Guerra and Daniel Godinez, all of whom are back.
“If we’re lacking anything right now, it’s leadership,” Reynoso said. “I’m not your typical sophomore. Being a leader comes pretty naturally for me. I prefer to lead by example. Being a vocal leader is something I can improve upon.”
For the Vikings to have any success offensively in a more punishing division, it starts up front with the three returning starters.
All three added strength in the weight room in the off-season, with Esquivel taking on a leadership role on both sides of the ball.
“I don’t think it’s a false narrative to say the offense starts up front,” Ceralde said. “That’s been our focus. We have three seniors that anchor the line. I’m excited to see them play.”
If the Vikings have depth at one position, it’s quarterback, where Kai Ceralde has returned from an injury, with Izaiah Gonzales being a capable backup, along with a potential freshman prospect.
When Ceralde went down with an injury midseason, Gonzales was inserted, helping the team go 4-1 down the stretch to get into the postseason.
Ceralde, a three-year starter, is more of a pure quarterback with his pocket presence, while Gonzales is capable of making plays with his legs and arm.
It’s possible that both are on the field at the same time, as Gonzales is listed as a running back/slot receiver, while starting as a defensive back.
“If the situation arises, you could see both playing,” Ben Ceralde said. “We believe we have three guys capable of handling the situation. Competition is brewing.”
As much as Ceralde likes to rely on the team’s physicality to move the ball, success through the air only enhances the running game.
With a roster hovering around 40 players, injuries can deplete a team real quick when several players are starting on both sides of the ball in a punishing division.
“Depth is probably our biggest concern,” Ceralde said. “I don’t want to pull players up if they’re not ready. We may not have a choice. It could be trial by fire.”
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