Reconstruction in the Gabilan is a huge challenge for Alvarez – Monterey Herald

SOQUEL — There was an understanding in the spring that introducing a new culture wouldn’t immediately transform a struggling football program into a force.

Reality checks have crossed Alvarez’s path as he deals with the growing pains that come with a new regime – his third new football coach in five years.

One of those came Thursday when the Eagles faced defending CIF State Division 4AA champion Soquel — a 35-7 loss, the team’s fourth straight setback.

Judging progress based on the standings, the question arises: What has changed for Alvarez? If you’re in the locker room with first-year head coach Ben Newman, the answer is, “Everything.”

The heart and character of a group of players, some of whom have been dealing with their third coach since arriving on campus, were never in question.

“The progress is there,” Newman said. “We are going in the right direction. It’s just difficult to rebuild a program in the department we’re housed in.”

Which begs the question, why is Alvarez — a program that has gone 19-85 in the major leagues over the last two decades — still in the Gabilan Division?

“Kids have asked me, ‘Why are we still awake?’” Newman said. “I was hired in March. This decision was made four months earlier. We play whoever is in front of us.”

Newman believes that in time the Eagles can be competitive in the Gabilan Division. It’s simply not the job of overhauling a program that has endured five winless seasons in the last 18 years.

In fact, Alvarez has never had a successful season in a major league since 2005; in 2014, the score was 3-3.

“I think we should be a division behind,” Newman admitted. “We have to get something started first. You just don’t start at the top. We’ll come back at some point.”

The Eagles proved they are competitive against teams from both Mission Divisions by defeating Pacific Grove while losing to North County and Monte Vista.

At 0-3 in the Gabilan Division this fall, Newman hasn’t given up on the idea of ​​shocking the world and making the playoffs.

“We just ran the gauntlet of the Gabilan Division,” Newman said. “Not that it will be any easier, but we still have three games left. If we can win two, I think that will take us further.”

The problem is that Alvarez has only won two or more league games six times during his tenure in the top flight and has never beaten Aptos or Palma, two of his three remaining opponents.

“One thing these kids haven’t done is complain,” Newman said. “Our seniors know that they are the foundation for the future. Most have accepted the changes. But it was hard.”

There was no intimidation facing the defending State Division 4AA champions, as the Eagles were actually tied at 7 in the second quarter when Abel Bailon hit Ramon Garcia on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

However, the Knights are undefeated in the Gabilan Division for a reason. From that moment on, they took control and scored the next 28 points of the game by outpacing Alvarez.

“Soquel plays old-school football,” Newman said. “It seems like they only have four formations. But they execute them almost perfectly. It’s another teachable moment.”

Newman, a former Monterey High lineman, has seen enough moments to feel like Alvarez is making small strides despite losing four straight games.

One of those moments came two weeks ago in a loss to Salinas, where the Eagles had a two-point game before a turnover turned into a touchdown and a possible 14-point swing.

“We were in the red zone six or seven times against Salinas,” Newman said. “We just didn’t do anything with it. The progress is there. We just need to learn how to finish drives.”

Alvarez has been hit by adversity in unique ways this fall, such as coming down with food poisoning just hours before the game against Monte Vista.

“I saw a kid get sick and thought it was nerves,” Newman said. “Then another and another. It affected the entire team. We had kids go to the hospital after that game.”

Still, the Eagles trailed by a point between the restrooms and behind the stands before giving up a kickoff return in the final six seconds of a 42-34 loss.

While Newman believes the future holds promise and potential, he has remained in the present and looks for intangibles to build on in the future.

The playbook continues to grow as Garcia chases 1,000 rushing yards by scoring six of Alvarez’s seven rushing touchdowns while catching two touchdown passes.

“He’s just a junior,” Newman said. “It’s a beautiful piece to build around. But we lose most of our offensive line. They are the heartbeat of our offense.”

When Newman looks at the lower levels, he sees the growth of a junior varsity team that is 2-5 and has many first-year players. And a freshmen team that is now learning its system.

“The lower levels all bought in,” Newman said. “That’s where you start. I can’t change this overnight. Overall we were there for most of the games.”

What has pleased Newman down the stretch is the energy in practice. He called the last week and a half of training some of the best Alvarez has had since the foot poisoning.

“It was tough at first,” Newman said. “But the children persevered. You see the vision. We were looking forward to playing in the state championships. Our goal is still ahead of us.”