CASTROVILLE —It’s a wonder nametags weren’t issued on the first day of practice for North Monterey County High School’s football team.

With an estimated 12 new starters, a new head coach and a new offense, the Condors are hoping some change will help them go farther into the Central Coast Section playoffs.

Last year, North County went 6-5 overall (2-3 in Monterey Bay League play) and saw 28 seniors graduate from the program. That has opened doors for players such as quarterback Nick Jimenez and running back J.J. Hernandez, speedy seniors who will be the focal point of head coach Mike Phillips’ shotgun-based offense.

“I guarantee guys are going to look to them when times get tough,” Phillips said. “Obviously, Nick, when our backs are against the wall, they’re going to be looking at him and his composure. J.J.’s a kid that ran for a lot of yards last year, and he’s the most experienced varsity player that we’ve got coming back.”

Opposing defenses will have to treat both players as threats to run in a scheme Phillips first saw at Foothill High School, near Redding.

“There’s going to be some growing pains, for sure, but I think that as a team, we’re going to get better,” Phillips said. “We definitely think it can be an effective, explosive type of offense, but it’s the first year we’re running it, so expectations can’t be through the roof.”

Jimenez spent last season with the junior varsity team, but will give the Condors some solidarity behind center. Last season, four players combined to throw only three touchdowns, compared to 14 interceptions.

Hernandez is one of the few returning starters. He was second on the team in touchdowns with five and ran for 369 yards in 2007.

“We could be close to last year’s team; we’ve just got to work hard,” Hernandez said. “I think the team has the potential has to do whatever it wants, we’ve just got to come together.”

Defensively, North County will be led by senior defensive end Kyle Sterzer, senior defensive tackles Ryan Rudd and Jason Salas and senior cornerback Miguel Ramirez. Rudd, Salas and Ramirez saw some playing time last year, but will be starters this season.

Sterzer, a varsity newcomer, was one of six Condors that Phillips sent to a leadership camp over the summer. Phillips wants the camp to become an annual rite of passage for team leaders, fostering a winning mentality in the program through a trickle-down effect.

“I think the guys bonded and they learned a lot about each other,” Phillips said. “I tell the seniors, ‘Try to put yourself in a freshman’s situation, and I bet you can remember everything about the varsity player that played your position. So, as a varsity senior, how do you want to be remembered by the guy that’s looking at you?’”



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(Published on Aug. 23, 2008)

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Photos by Justin Lafferty/Register-Pajaronian

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