Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 300

CCS volleyball finals: Salinas repeats as Division I champions

PALO ALTO — Chloe Goldman wanted to leave the bench and sprint out on to the volleyball court with her sister Shelby to treasure and celebrate a milestone moment.

Yet, being nine months pregnant, and due any day, the Salinas High coach decided to hold her ground and just soak it all in while players and her assistant coaches embraced another Central Coast Section title.

“It was more emotional, more tears,” Goldman said. “This is the first year my sister and I have coached together in 12 years. This might be my last week with the girls if we have a road match. So, yes there were a lot of emotions swirling around.”

The Cowboys have extended their season into the State Northern California tournament after defending their CCS Division I title Saturday, knocking off top seed Homestead 15-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-11 at Palo Alto High.

Goldman has been a part of three of the Cowboys four section titles, one as a player in 2004 and two as a coach, becoming just the third program in the county to win back-to-back section titles in volleyball.

Of course, she was also the coach when Salinas fell to Homestead in the section finals in 2018, when assistant coach Savanna Maker was a player.

“That just added to the moment,” said Goldman, a former libero at the University of Tennessee. “This match meant something to each one of us. It was nice for mom that she did not have to split time for my sister and I.”

Sitting just a game over .500 on October 12, the Cowboys will go into the Northern California tournament riding a 13-game winning streak at 24-10.

Last year during the Cowboys run to a CCS Division I title, they ran of 12 straight wins before falling to Clovis in the State Northern California Division II playoffs.

“I think after the loss to Carmel, we reconnected and out figured who we were,” Salinas hitter Bella Storelli said. “There was a lot of stress and pressure. Chloe talked some sense into us. It gave something to work towards, to aim for.”

During Salinas’ 13 game winning streak, it has swept 10 opponents. Yet, for the first time in the playoffs, it found itself down a game after falling 25-15 in the first set.

“I just said look, let it go,” Goldman said. “We’ve gone to four and five sets before. It happens all the time. Get focused. I could feel the nerves got to us. I had to pull out a fan I was so hot.”

With Storelli, Jenny Rivera and Makenzie O’Hara taking aim off of sets from Cadee Guzman, the Cowboys bounced with a pair of wins, then bolted out to a 10-point lead in the fourth set.

“Their mindset completely changed,” Goldman said. “We started executing. I was trying not to get too anxious in the fourth set. But when we got up by 10, you could feel it. It was our night.”

A jubilant celebration signaled a reward for a program molding as one, where a different player seemed to rise to the occasion each night during Salinas’ 13 game run.

“It was intense,” said Storelli, who finished with 13 kills. “Everyone ran to the court and screamed. It was pretty cool. It felt almost better than last year. If felt like we all had a part to play in it. I’m looking forward to practicing Monday and getting better.”

Rivera finished with 16 kills, with O’Hara collecting 10 for Salinas, while Guzman produced a double-double with 43 assists and 12 digs.

The strength of Cowboys during their winning streak has been their defense, where Indy Aguilar solidified the back row upon her return 14 matches ago, finishing with 22 digs. Help came when Dylan Dominguez came off the bench and supplied 12 kills.

“We had to work hard as a staff this year and strategize,” Goldman said. “We had to have a game plan to make us a better team, to get these kids to believe. Getting to experience this with a past player and my sister, that rarely gets to happen.”

CCS girls water polo

Stevenson 13, Menlo 8: Bumped to the Open Division this fall, the two-time defending CCS Division II champion Pirates won their seventh straight section playoff match with a win over No. 6 Menlo in the quarterfinals.

The win ensures the No. 3 seeded Pirates (19-8) of a spot in the Northern California playoffs, where they are the reigning Division II champions.

Emmerson Ferriera, the schools all-time leader in goals, led a balanced attack for Stevenson with four goals. Miranda Salinger tallied three goals, while Sienna Cimoli, Arielle Dale and Charlotte Morrow all compiling a pair.

Goalie Anna Mitchell produced seven saves between the pipes for the Pirates, who will face Soquel on Tuesday in the semifinals at a site yet to be determined.

Saturday High School football: Toreadores retain Battle of the Bay trophy

SEASIDE — An atmosphere that is usually electric and fiery among alumni from decades past never came to light in a rare Saturday afternoon Battle of the Bay.

Perhaps the fact that Monterey is headed to the Central Coast Section football playoffs for the third consecutive year, while Seaside will be turning in uniforms Monday cut into the hype that normally surrounds this game.

A rivalry now into its 59th season has also been one-sided the last two seasons, as the Toreadores tuned up for the playoffs with a 41-7 win at Seaside to retain the perpetual Battle of the Bay trophy.

Owners of four straight wins and five of the last six in the series, Monterey now holds a 31-27-1 advantage, having outscored the Spartans 91-21 in the last two meetings.

“Our theme for the week is our standard doesn’t change based on who we play,” Monterey coach Alex Besaw said. “We were not concerned about the playoffs. We were completely focused on making sure we play to our standard this week.”

Monterey, who finished 6-4 overall and third in the Gabilan Division with a 4-2 mark, could find itself facing a familiar opponent in the CCS Division II playoffs in Menlo-Atherton, who beat them 28-7 in Week 2.

“We’ve had some crucial wins to get into this position,” Besaw said. “The kids have done a good job of responding to adversity. We aren’t content.”

Besaw was referring to the Toreadores having to play their last four games without starting quarterback Preston White, who is likely out for the season with a dislocated throwing shoulder.

A more simplified offense and an opportunist defense anchored by linebacker Soakai Funaki and defensive tackle Elijah Fisher has seen the Toreadores go 3-1 in White’s absence.

“The defense has set the tone and put the pressure on their shoulders,” Besaw said. “They have stayed aggressive and have gotten off the field as quick as possible.”

Funaki is making a case for the area’s top defensive player, having been a disruptive force all season, while Fisher, Jamar Aquino, Isaiah Gonzales and Kai Vaughn all had interceptions for the Toreadores.

“It’s no big surprise that our identity on offense has changed a little bit,” Besaw said. “We continue to preach that everyone has to elevate their game. These kids can’t skip the process. Everyone has to be ready.”

That includes the 12 freshmen that Besaw brought up for the season finale, including quarterback Daniel Pena, who saw his first action in the second half, potentially creating a quarterback competition this week in practice.

“We could have a competition and not decide until game time,” Besaw said. “Daniel was composed and handled the pocket well. It was a learning opportunity. The speed of the game is different. I’m hoping both quarterbacks have a good week of practice.”

Besaw has leaned more on the Toreadores ground game, where Enobong Wirth has put together a 1,000-yard rushing season, going over 100 yards rushing for the sixth time this season.

Wirth opened the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown run, then added a 11-yard run, before sitting out most of the second half, where Funaki got a rare carry, bolting 50 yards for six.

In White’s absence, Besaw has scaled back his offense, yet not abandoning the passing game, which possesses one of the top receivers in the section in Kavon Collins.

While Collins touches have decreased since White’s injury, he did catch a touchdown pass on Saturday and provided some key blocks for the ground game.

“We can’t be one dimensional,” said Besaw, whose offense had over 4,500 passing yards in the last two years. “We have to stay balanced. We have to show we can throw on run downs.”

Even special teams got into the act in the season finale with Enrique Villalobos kicking a pair of field goals in the first half to stake Monterey to a 27-7 halftime lead.

“We started talking about the playoffs after the game,” Besaw said. “There’s a group of seniors that have been with us now for three years. I’m proud of the development of the program. The program has grown up quite a bit in the last three years.”

Prior the last two years, the last four Battles of the Bay had been decided by three points or less. Yet, a dip in numbers at Seaside has seen the program dive into a rebuilding mood after two straight playoff appearances.

“We had kids that should have been playing JV football this year,” Seaside coach Al Avila said. “But this is where the program is right now. We play with what we got. With all those Seaside kids over there, we felt like we were playing West Seaside.”

The Spartans (1-9), who had just three seniors on the field, watched their younger players grow up when Josiah Escort broke a pair of tackles and outran Monterey’s defense 44 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

“If we only had another five weeks,” Avila said. “Our kids are young. That’s part of the growing process. We need a great off season. It will still be hard. But the people that beat us this season, you better wake up.”

Stevenson 54, Marina 0: Champions of the Santa Lucia Division for the second time in three years, the Pirates tuned up for the postseason, completing an undefeated league season.

Stevenson (7-2), who is making just its second playoff appearance in the last 25 years, closed the season with five straight wins, including a win over then 8-0 San Lorenzo Valley.

Unlike its last playoff appearance, when the Pirates fell in the opening round of the Central Coast Section Division V tournament to Palo Alto — and ‘A’ league program, only ‘B’ and ‘C’ league teams will be put in the Division V bracket.

“We have kept the focus on a week-to-week basis,” Stevenson coach Kyle Cassamas said. “We feel people have forgotten about us here. We have a chip on our shoulder.”

Stevenson, who is 20-2 over the last four years in the Santa Lucia Division, swept through the division, with the average margin of victory being 26.8 points — including a narrow 24-21 win over Gonzales.

“We’ve been playing this style of football for a while,” Cassamas said. “The hard work overtime is starting to pay off. Now we have a group of student-athletes that are football players. We have a sense of urgency, seeing what we have grown into as a program.”

Fin Mink was sharp behind center for Stevenson, completing 15-of-22 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns, two of which went to Caden Olson. Flint Dickson and Jett Jones also caught touchdown passes.

Jones also rushed for a touchdown, along with Derek Diniz and Tono Borgamini, while Kekoa Williams ran back a fumble for six.

Gonzales 42, Harbor 6: The Spartans improved in the win column for the fourth straight year, producing their first winning season since 2019, finishing the fall 6-4.

With renovations to its stadium and field under construction, Gonzales played 10 road games, using four different sites to call home, including its season finale at Salinas High.

“This team finished the season the way we’ve been playing all year and that is playing for each other and being a family,” Gonzales coach Eddy Ramirez said. “It has been hard saying goodbye and taking all these pictures.”

Quarterback Ray Blanco rushed for a pair of touchdowns for the Spartans, while Juan Luis Arriola, Tony Garcia, Ely Cisneros and Jason Tejeda all added rushing touchdowns.

“It was a special group that played on the road with the mindset anytime, anywhere, anyone,” Ramirez said. “We came back with the megaphone (win over King City) and had a winning season.”

Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: Personal property in estates can be a flashpoint

Question: When our dad died, my sister cleaned out his condo and “donated” most of his personal property to charities. My siblings and I wanted some of his personal items but now they are gone. I don’t know why she did this, is this how it is normally handled?

Answer: Well, like so much else in the estate administration world, it depends. Is your sister the trustee or executor of your father’s estate? What does his will or trust say about the distribution of personal property? In my 30-plus years of administering estates, I find that how personal property is handled can be a flashpoint and cause serious problems in families. Personal property needs to be treated with care.

Most estate planning documents address personal property in one of three ways. Some will state something like, “I may leave a list of personal property to be distributed to certain individuals on my death. If there is no list, then I leave my personal property to my children to be divided equally, as they shall agree.”

Other documents may be silent on the distribution of personal property and leave “all assets equally to my children.” A bit less clear on what was intended, but in this case the trustee or executor should make every attempt to equally distribute personal property to the kids.

And then there are documents that instruct the trustee to sell, donate or discard personal property at the trustee’s discretion. In this case, a trustee should offer personal items like family photos, jewelry or family heirlooms to the children, if any, and then follow the instructions to sell, donate or discard the rest. Because the language allows the trustee discretion, personal property can be offered to the family. When personal property is sold, a trustee will usually realize pennies on the dollar so if a family member wants items and could use them, they should go to family.

As you can imagine, when one family member wants most of the personal property and the rest of the family wants it sold so they get the proceeds, problems can arise. In this case a trustee can have the items appraised and then reduce that child’s share of the estate by that amount. All the beneficiaries should agree this is the way it will be handled. Unless expensive artwork or other collectibles are on hand, the value of personal property is usually de minimis.

Most documents, when addressing personal property, will outline what is meant by stating something like, “Personal property shall include jewelry, artwork, furniture, clothing” and so on. If the documents are silent on what is considered personal property, then everything that is tangible (something you can touch), is included. Along with art, jewelry, furniture, etc., this would include automobiles, travel trailers or coin collections.

One holiday when my sister and I were visiting with my mother, Mom came out from her bedroom with both hands behind her back and told us to “pick one.” She then handed each of us a beautiful box with approximately half her jewelry in each. It is called “giving with warm hands” and, as you can see, so many years later it is still a fond memory. It may have also sidestepped later disputes between my sister and I as to who gets which piece.

Should your sister have donated personal property before you had a chance to receive something you may have cherished and that would forever bring you fond memories of your father? No, she should not have but, is it possible that your dad instructed her to do this before he passed? Had he previously given most of his treasured personal property to you kids “with warm hands?” It is unfortunate she didn’t discuss it with all of you before she took this step, but hopefully you can move past this.

To parents reading this, estate plans are personal to us and should be written to reflect our wishes. Also, we know our kids best so consider how they will interact if a document says to “equally divide personal property” on our death. Disputes in estate settlement can result in years, if not lifetimes, of hurt feelings and conflict between siblings. We should do everything we can to avoid or at least reduce this possibility.

Liza Horvath has over 30 years experience in the estate planning and trust fields and is the president of Monterey Trust Management, a financial and trust Management Company. This is not intended to be legal or tax advice. If you have a question call (831) 646-5262 or email liza@montereytrust.com

NFL fines 49ers’ Nick Bosa for his MAGA hat following Dallas game

The nation spoke on Tuesday, with the NFL rendering its verdict on Saturday.

Nick Bosa, the 49ers star defensive end, was fined $11,255 according to a league source for being in violation of the NFL uniform and equipment rules for wearing a hat that contained a personal message.

The hat in question displayed the message “Make America Great Again” in support of presidential candidate Donald Trump.  Bosa put the hat on before he photobombed a postgame ESPN interview that included analyst Melissa Stark with quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and running back Isaac Guerendo following a 30-24 win by the 49ers.

According to Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook: “The League will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages . . . which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns.”

Kittle was found in violation of the rule last season when he wore a T-shirt on the field following a win over Dallas with a profane message directed at the Cowboys. Kittle was fined $13,659.

Bosa wasn’t fined immediately, as the league waited until after the national election in which Trump defeated Kamala Harris. In any event, Bosa wasn’t too worried about it when he spoke to the media on Wednesday, the day after the election.

“If it comes, it comes,” Bosa said, adding, “it would be well worth it . . clearly the nation spoke and we got what we got.”

Bosa can more than afford the fine.

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Since signing a five-year extension worth a maximum of  $170 million before the 2023 season, Bosa earns a salary of $1.125 million this season, or $62,500 per week spread out over 18 weeks.

When bonuses are factored in, Bosa’s average per year of $34 million ties him with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb of Dallas as the 20th highest paid player in the NFL and he remains the highest paid defensive player.

Ahead of Bosa and Lamb are Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson at No. 19 ($35 million APY). Quarterbacks, led by Dak Prescott of Dallas ($60 million APY), account for the first 18 spots and will likely be where 49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy resides after he receivers an offseason extension from his original rookie deal.

Election 2024: Monterey council vote remains close

Jean Rasch is still clinging to a razor-thin lead over Eric Palmer in the race for the District 3 seat on the Monterey City Council according to the latest results released by the Monterey County Election Department Friday afternoon.

Rasch has a 12-vote lead over Palmer with 1,998 votes counted according to  Election Department. Votes, including vote by mail and provisional ballots, are still being counted, with results expected to be certified by Dec. 5.  The deadline for counties to receive vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day is Tuesday. According to a Wednesday press release issued by the Election Department, there were still 56,300 votes to be counted in the county.

Another tight race was for the third seat on the Pacific Grove City Council, where Tina Rau holds a 40-vote lead over incumbent Luke Colletti. Measure CC, which would ban the use of all fireworks in Seaside, is leading but only by 176 of the 7,274 votes that have been counted.  Seaside currently allows fireworks with the “safe and sane” label.

The Election Department reported a 49% turnout among 214,883 registered voters. The most popular way to vote was by mail, something nearly 100,000 people took advantage of. In contrast, a little under 10,000 voted at the polling place according to Friday’s report.

49ers put McCaffrey on 53-man roster, elevate Tashaun Gipson from practice squad

Nothing crazy happened on the plane ride to Tampa.

That much was evident Saturday when the 49ers, as expected, took running back Christian McCaffrey off the injured reserve list and placed him on the 53-man roster.

McCaffrey will play Sunday for the first time this season when the 49ers (4-4) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4).

The 49ers also made one practice squad elevation, putting safety Tashaun Gipson on the roster with rookie free safety Malik Mustapha dealing with a calf strain and listed as questionable.

McCaffrey had been trending toward playing all week after having his practice window opened Monday. He practiced Wednesday, Thursday and Friday without any setbacks. Shanahan said McCaffrey would be “good to go” unless “something crazy happened on the plane ride.”

Speaking to the media Friday for the first time since Sept. 12, McCaffrey proclaimed himself ready to play.

“I feel good now,” McCaffrey said Friday in a brief interview. “I wouldn’t be out here if it was still bothering me. I feel great.”

Gipson, who started 33 regular-season games for the 49ers in 2022-23 at free safety, originally signed with Jacksonville but missed six games under suspension for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

In his 12th season, Gipson has 33 career interceptions, including five for the 49ers in 2022 and one last season.

Although Gipson didn’t play in a game for Jacksonville, Shanahan liked what he saw from the 33-year-old veteran.

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“He is in the mix. Especially with Mustapha being questionable,” Shanahan said. “He got a week in practice at Jacksonville, he’s done awesome this week in his three days. He looks good enough to do it, it just depends on the health of everyone else.”

The 49ers also downgraded guard/center Jon Feliciano from “questionable” to “out.” Feliciano had his practice window opened Monday along with McCaffrey after spending the first eight games on injured reserve.

California gas prices could rise with toughened climate regulations

California air quality regulators late Friday approved a plan to strengthen limits on the planet-warming emissions from gasoline and diesel fuels, a move expected to raise gas prices while bringing public health benefits.

Members of the California Air Resources Board approved amendments to the state low carbon fuel standard during a meeting in Riverside that stretched 11 hours and featured scores of public speakers. Twelve of the appointed board members voted for the changes and two voted against. The new standard will carry lower limits for the carbon intensity of transportation fuels that can be sold in the state without penalty.

The tougher regulations will reduce asthma symptoms for more than 70,000 Californians, according to the board’s estimate, and pump $100 billion of private investment into clean energy infrastructure over the next two decades. Board chair Liane Randolph said that will help protect residents from air pollution and climate-fueled natural disasters — as well as price hikes by gas companies.

“We cannot afford to continue with the status quo,” Randolph said.

But the change is controversial. State Republicans have pilloried the board and Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose appointees dominate the board, for driving up gas prices, a hot-button issue throughout the state, which currently has the country’s second-highest price per gallon, behind only Hawaii, according to AAA.

The vote came amid a moment of intense political debate about inflation. That helped fuel the walloping Democrats received locally and nationally in Tuesday’s election, observers say.

It also comes a month after a special legislative session that saw Democrats pass a plan to create a state fuel reserve. The board decides air pollution and climate policy for California, which is often followed by other states. Of its 16 members, 12 were appointed by Newsom and confirmed by the state Senate. The other members are appointed by state lawmakers.

Last year, the board estimated that the proposed change could drive a 47-cent price increase in 2025 that could reach 79 cents in 2035, as refineries pass costs to customers. The board’s’s executive officer, Steven Cliff, and board staff now say it’s impossible to know if the changes will raise gas prices.

Currently, the fuel standard adds about 8 cents per gallon of gas, said Aaron Smith, an economics professor at University of California, Davis. He estimates that the toughened regulations could add between 20 cents and 84 cents per gallon by 2030, depending on the regulatory market.

“We do not need lower CARB emissions — good grief!” said California resident Melanie Arace in a public comment. “If this is all about the air quality, one sliver of our country isn’t going to clean the air of the entire planet. Quit taxing us to death!”

Environmentalists and economists contended the program is flawed in its design during the marathon meeting on Friday, when more than 100 people spoke to the board. Many were parents of children with lung diseases and environmental justice activists who said the standard doesn’t go far enough to reduce air pollution and climate change.

Although California prioritizes the adoption of electric vehicles, the lion’s share of the $22 billion of private investment generated by the fuel standard has largely benefited biofuels companies. That’s helping fund deforestation and large-scale dairy farms, the critics said.

“We need clean air,” Jose Avalos, a San Bernardino resident and member of the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice, told the board. “Both you and I know that these fuels are generating polluting emissions that lead to more people suffering from asthma and cancer.”

Biofuels companies, including Nebraska ag-tech giant Green Plains and Brazil-based Raízen, urged the board to approve the new standard.

The fuel standard sets a limit for the carbon intensity of fuels. Companies that abide by the limits earn credits, and companies that don’t — like oil refineries — must buy credits from those that do. Over time, the limit decreases.

The new standard lowers carbon intensity limits and accelerates those limits into the 2040s. The limit will increase by 10% in 2030 and decline to 90% in 2045.

The board says the standard has driven major changes in the state’s fuel market — in particular, the rapid adoption of renewable diesel made from vegetable oil. Two Bay Area petroleum refineries are currently being converted to produce renewable diesel.

The rapid adoption of renewable diesel produced a glut of credits, which reduced the incentives under the program, experts told Bay Area News Group. That’s one reason why the board lowered the standard.

Renewable diesel is considered lower-carbon than traditional diesel and has come to dominate the state’s market for heavy truck fuels. However, it’s increasingly made from palm oil and soybean oil produced abroad in deforested areas. Loss of forest globally is a critical threat to biodiversity and climate change.

In response, the board is implementing “guardrails” that limit the use of these oils in renewable diesel produced through the standard. But the rule is unlikely to prevent deforestation abroad because this international market is booming, Colin Murphy, co-director of the UC Davis Low Carbon Fuel Policy Research Initiative, said in a public comment.

On Thursday, the board delayed a planned hearing on fuel standards for gas-powered motorcycles and what would be the nation’s first requirements for the sale of electric motorcycles.

Horoscopes Nov. 9, 2024: Eric Dane, keep money and emotions separate

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Nick Lachey, 51; Eric Dane, 52; Susan Tedeschi, 54; Lou Ferrigno, 73.

Happy Birthday: Keep money and emotions separate. A moderate, disciplined attitude regarding financial and domestic matters will help you lower your overhead, leaving room for what matters to you. You may crave change, but maintaining balance and security will ease stress and clear your head when dealing with situations that influence lifestyle, personal gains and overall happiness. Do what’s best for you. Your numbers are 8, 14, 20, 27, 33, 41, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stick to basics. A last-minute plan will put you in a vulnerable position. Research is essential if you want to make the right choice. Use your intelligence and make smart money and health choices. Don’t limit yourself for the sake of someone else’s feelings; do what’s best for you. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep your eye on what’s unfolding, and be ready to take charge and do whatever is necessary to preserve your rights and prospects. Anger is not the answer; reasonable action and common sense will help you get what you want. A change appears to be emotional but necessary. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gather the facts and adjust whatever is necessary to maintain control and integrity. An opportunity to use your physical attributes to your advantage is apparent. Be upfront regarding your intentions, but refrain from sharing secrets. Refuse to let anyone pursuing you romantically to take advantage of you. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Get familiar with something or someone who interests you, and you will discover how to use what you find out to help you get ahead personally or professionally. Use your attributes to impress those you encounter. A unique display of what you can offer will pay off. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pick up the pace and show everyone what you can do. Engage in rhetoric that’s challenging, charismatic and caring. The picture you paint with words will impact those who share your beliefs, concerns and desire to improve the world. Romance is favored. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You are overdue for a change. Consider your options, and don’t hesitate when faced with a choice. Size up situations swiftly. It’s time to distance yourself from anyone who puts you down or tries to manipulate you. A positive attitude and change will get you back on track. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Plan an adventure or spread some cheer to those having a tough time. Your input will elevate others and help you regain faith in who you are and what you believe. Learn from the experience you encounter, and something good will come your way. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take the path that leads to peace of mind. Put a cap on spending and home improvements. Refuse to let an emotional situation cost you. You can’t buy love, so protect your assets, possessions and reputation. Turn a negative into a positive by taking advantage of an investment opportunity. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Think and respond accordingly. Refuse to let anyone back you into a corner or lead you astray. It’s up to you to create opportunities and follow through. Don’t count on anyone to do things for you. Personal gain comes from taking the initiative. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Leave nothing to chance. Consider obscure ideas or offers, and you’ll devise a creative way to turn something that interests you into a lucrative or uplifting alternative. Make decisions that complement your lifestyle and bring you in contact with people who share your beliefs and interests. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be open about your feelings and desires. A positive change will encourage you to explore new possibilities. You’ll find refuge in the truth, no matter how disappointing it may be about someone or something close to you. It’s a new day; look for the positive, and something good will transpire. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Dig in; your accomplishments will pay high returns and offer recognition. Say no to temptation and to those trying to slow you down or interfere in your personal life. Protect your health, wealth and reputation from anyone trying to take advantage of you. Be kind, but not naive. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, compassionate and loyal. You are creative and outgoing.1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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High School football: Carmel caps undefeated season by capturing ‘The Shoe’

MONTEREY — Chasing perfection for a record seventh time in 15 years was not a topic of conversation all week in practice or in the school hallways. Neither was the league title.

All that mattered to a group of teenagers playing football — some for the last time in a rivalry game — was keeping ‘The Shoe’ on the Carmel campus for another year.

“All that these kids have ever wanted to do since setting foot on campus was win ‘The Shoe’,” Carmel coach Golden Anderson said. “There were a lot of nerves, particularly for the seniors. These kids care a lot about this.”

Having been battled tested earlier in the season in coming back from deficits, the Padres found themselves trailing late in the third quarter Friday before rallying for a 44-41 win over Pacific Grove in the 77th meeting at Monterey Peninsula College.

“It was celebratory,” Anderson said. “It always is when you win this thing. Our student body was taking it on the chin most the game. It means a lot to both schools, to the communities. We’re humbled to be here. These don’t happen every year.”

Perhaps.

The Padres, however, have won the last 10 meetings between the two programs, whose high schools are separated by four miles of forest.

This was also Carmel’s second straight undefeated regular season, stretching its record-breaking winning streak to 22 straight wins in the regular season in capturing its ninth league title in the last 15 years.

“We didn’t look at it as our playoff game,” Pacific Grove coach Jeff Gray said. “We looked at it as ‘The Shoe.” We just didn’t have the depth. But our kids are Warriors. Our guys wanted to compete.”

With the wild win, the Padres hold a 42-33-2 series lead. Prior to Anderson’s arrival at Carmel, Pacific Grove held a 32-28-2 series lead.

Ironically, the last time these teams faced each other at MPC, it was the Breakers prevailing, albeit in a playoff game — the only loss of the season in 2012 for Carmel.

The Padres (10-0), who are expected to get the No. 1 seed in Sunday’s Central Coast Section seeding meeting in Division III, are averaging just under 47 points a game during their 22-game regular season winning streak.

Yet, for as dynamic as Carmel’s offense has been during this record stretch of wins, it was its ability to control the ball over the final six minutes, converting a pair of third downs to keep Pacific Grove from getting another possession in running out the clock.”

“We practice for these scenarios,” Anderson said. “It might be something we don’t normally do. But you have be prepared for any type of situation.”

That includes punting, which Carmel did for just the third time in league play.

This wasn’t the first time Carmel found itself trailing in game in the second half, although it had been a while, going back 11 weeks to its season opener against Christopher, where it rallied for a 35-31 win.

“Part of that is it’s a rivalry game and playing a well-prepared opponent,” Anderson said. “We have been in these situations. We just wanted to be able to hang around and see what the game did.”

Pacific Grove opened the game with a five-plus minute drive — all on the ground behind Gideon Llantero, capped with Garret Kuska scoring from 3 yards out.

“I think we surprised them with some plays they had not seen on film,” Gray said. “Our game plan was to run heavy between the tackles with several blockers.”

When Llantero took off on a 69-yard touchdown run around the left corner — the first of his three touchdown runs, the Breakers had opened up a 13-0 lead in the second quarter.

For as much as Pacific Grove slowed the game down and controlled the clock with its ground game, it only baited Carmel into biting on the run, setting up Brody Edmonds 39-yard touchdown pass to Kuska in the second quarter.

“There was no secret adjustments or new game plan at halftime,” Anderson said. “We pointed out as sloppy as we were, it was still close. We had been in this position before. We liked that we were getting the ball to start the second half.”

With the aid of an unsportsmanlike penalty for coming out of the locker room late before the start of the second half, Carmel didn’t waste time as Hudson Rutherford connected with Ty Arnold on a 44-yard scoring strike.

Moments later after the Padres defense stopped Pacific Grove for the first time on the night, Ashton Rees produced the second of his three rushing touchdowns to put them in front for the first time.

“We go right down and score, get a stop and scored again,” Anderson said. “Then they ran back the kickoff for a touchdown and it was a game again.”

Anderson was referring to Ben Garry’s 80-yard kickoff return that put the Breakers back up 34-30 with three minutes left in the third quarter.

It would be the last time the Breakers would lead as Carmel answered with Rutherford finding Stanford bound pitcher Matt Maxon on 40-yard touchdown pass. Rees’ fourth touchdown of the game staked them to a 44-34 lead in the fourth.

“The biggest factor is we kind of wore down,” Gray said. “A lot of our players go both ways. The difference between the numbers is a factor. We just don’t have that depth. We got beat up a little bit in the end.”

The Breakers (6-4) defense spent a lot of time on the field in the second half, as Carmel controlled the tempo, limiting them seven plays on offense in the third quarter.

High School football: Condors capture first league title outright in 25 years

CASTROVILLE — As players from the sidelines sprinted towards Arnie Jimenez in the end zone, reality began to sink in for North County football coach Juan Cuevas.

While a share of the title had already been locked up a week earlier, having it to yourself for the first time 25 years was a moment Cuevas didn’t want to let go off.

“I’ve been starring at the floor in the locker room trying to process it all,” Cuevas said. “I stayed on the field a little longer after the game, soaking it all in, letting it sink in.”

The Condors wrapped up the Mission Division North title Friday, using two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter for a 34-13 win over rival Watsonville, likely securing a home game in the Central Coast Section playoffs as well.

Owners of the second most league titles in the county behind Palma, North County is going back to the postseason for the first time since 2010.

“I might order a double of flap jacks tonight,” said Cuevas, who in his four seasons at North County, has improved in the win column in each of his last three years.

Before the season started, Cuevas felt the culture was in place. The discipline of a once proud program had returned. Yet, what he wanted was for his players to create their own identity, not recreate the past.

“We hear about the tradition here,” Cuevas said. “We’re reminded of it. But this wasn’t about their uncle or a relative that was part of those glory years. I remember telling these kids it’s your turn. These kids deserved their moment. Now they’ll get talked about.”

If Cuevas ever needed a game to point towards as a turning it, the season opener set the tone after rallying from a 19-point deficit to defeat Alvarez by a point. Or the come-from-behind road win against reigning league champion Scotts Valley.

Yet, nothing feels better then beating a rival, particularly a Watsonville squad that had won two of the previous three meetings and was coming off a confidence building win over playoff bound Alisal.

“I ran into two former coaches before the game that just happened to be in Castroville at the Giant Artichoke,” Cuevas said. “They asked how we were doing and who we were playing. When I told them Watsonville, they decided to take the game in.”

Playing the role of spoiler, the Wildcatz tied the game at 13 when they turned a fake field goal into a touchdown with 8:30 left in the third quarter.

What transpired after that was a run of 21 unanswered points by North County, two coming on defensive touchdowns when Gabe Raya returned a fumble for six.

On the ensuing series, Jimenez met the runner and ball at the same time on a pitch in the backfield. The defensive lineman took the ball and turned into a sprinter, racing 57 yards for a touchdown with 1:34 left in the game.

“At that point, I couldn’t keep calm,” Cuevas said. “That’s when it hit me. It was a real emotional moment. I think after the game it hit the players.”

Quarterback AJ Gomez continued his breakout year with three more touchdowns passes, giving him 20 on the season, the most by a Condors quarterback since AJ Jimenez tossed 21 in 2010.

The senior captain broke up a tie game in the third quarter with a 24-yard scoring toss to Jacob Read. He also opened the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chris Rasmussen.

Yet, the play that Cuevas talked about came just before halftime when he showed confidence in his quarterback. Rather than taking a knee in the final seconds, the Condors coached called for a screen pass.

“I wasn’t going to go home with nothing left,” Cuevas said. “I had all these plays and scenarios scripted. This was for a title. I believe in our kids.”

Gomez hits Marcos Mendoza with a short toss and senior did the rest, going 65 yards as the first half expired to give North County a 13-7 halftime lead.

“I am going to let this sink in tonight,” Cuevas said. “Maybe even Saturday before turning our focus to the playoffs. We are not done. Lets see how far we can take this.”