The reigning Region 4/1A champion Monterey Wildcats are preparing for the 2020 football season full of youth, question marks and potential.
The Wildcats return four seniors, two who have played and two who have not, from a 2019 squad that went undefeated in the regular season.
“We still have so many question marks,” said MHS head coach Scott Hughes. “I really like my team. I like the dynamic that we have. We’re a young football team. The big thing is not having scrimmages to go see the competitive side.”
Hughes said having a young team combined with no scrimmages due to the COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges, but his team is working hard.
“I feel this year with that short window and not being around our guys for five or six months, that really caters to the teams that have a ton of starters coming back,” said Hughes. “They probably all understand the terminology, and you don’t have a lot of time for install… I will say this, our guys have invested. Our guys are asking questions. They’re studying. They’re wanting to be good.”
The Wildcats are replacing their starting quarterback from 2019, Jordan Key. Key was a dual-threat quarterback who also played defensive back. Hughes said sophomore Matthew Montgomery is the current leader to become the next starting quarterback at Monterey.
“If we had to play tonight, Matthew Montgomery is my guy,” said Hughes. “Going into his sophomore year he’s physically developed. Mentally he’s way ahead of where I thought he would be. Football matters to him, his teammates matter to him, he’s a very prideful young man and he wants to do a good job.”
Hughes said Montgomery worked hard in the offseason to prepare.
“When he rolled back in here day one, in June, he was a different young man,” said Hughes. “From a physical standpoint to a mental standpoint, he really has improved, and probably has improved as much in a six-month span as much as any kid I’ve ever coached. I’m very proud of him.”
The young Wildcats do have significant experience at the skill positions. Monterey returns four tailbacks from 2019, most of whom also played at wide receiver and defensive back, including senior starting RB Antony Soberanis.
“Antony kind of sets the tone for us. He’s our guy,” said Hughes. “Mason (Bowman)’s sitting right there with him. The two guys who are kind of written off sometimes are Michael Allred and Eli Saylors. Both those guys got some carries last year but both of them started at receiver. Both of them ended up starting as freshmen, so that’s a testament to their commitment to their team and wanting to be good.”
Hughes said he is pleased with his team’s depth at running back.
“I do feel that we’re pretty deep at running back,” said Hughes. “I feel good about those guys and any of those four guys I think we can win with.”
The Wildcats lost their top receiving threat from 2019 in the graduation of Kevin Borjas, but with players like Allred, Saylors, and junior Chandler Bowden returning, Hughes said he is confident in his skill players on the outside.
“We do have some skill guys out on the perimeter that can run,” said Hughes. “Chandler Bowden was all-region for us, he’s back. A young man we’re excited about is Logan Sparks. He’ll be a junior for us. We’re just young. When you look at that group there’s no seniors in that group.”
One of the biggest question marks for Monterey in 2020 comes on the interior along the offensive and defensive lines. Hughes said they have some work to do in the trenches before the season begins.
“We’ve got some work, and that’s where the scrimmages and physicality really come into play,” said Hughes. “We’ve got to replace a couple of guys there. We return some good guys. Now the question is ‘what’s the mix?’ What’s our better combos and who plays better with who? There’s a lot of question marks right now on both sides of the ball.”
The Wildcats will look to defend their Region 4/1A championship in 2020, but Hughes said in 2020 Gordonsville and Clay County each have strong squads.
“Our guys know they were blessed to win it last year,” said Hughes. “(Gordonsville) and Clay County are probably 1A and 1B. I’m going to say you flip a coin and whoever wins that game is probably going to win the region. Both of them have tremendously talented rosters. Both are exceptional football teams.”
Hughes said he is excited about the future with a young, talented football team as the Wildcats look to build a winning tradition.
“We’re excited about our future,” said Hughes. “When you look at what we have on our roster, you’re probably looking at upwards of 94% of your roster coming back next year. Our middle school numbers are really good right now. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sustain some success for quite a while.”
The Wildcats will take the field on August 21 against Sale Creek. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.