Published October 2, 2025
BY DANIELA FOLEY
After going undefeated (6-0 in league, 15-0 overall), becoming league champions and winning the CIF State Division 5AA Football Championship last season, CHS varsity football was moved up to the Gabilan Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League, where they stand 1-2 in league and 2-2 overall, while remaining optimistic about winning the Shoe for an 11th straight year.
Now competing in the higher caliber Gabilan rather than the Mission Division in which the Padres dominated in 2024, Carmel lost their first league game Sept. 13 against Soquel, last season’s Gabilan champions (2-0, 4-0). The Padres were shut out for the first time in a couple of decades, losing 49-0, while Soquel achieved 209 passing yards and 274 rushing yards.
In their first league game against Soquel, Carmel was defeated 49-0, the Padres’ first shutout in more than 20 years. Photo by PETE NOTO
“It was a good moment for the kids,” said Carmel head coach Golden Anderson following the Soquel loss. “The reality check is over. Now the players understand that they are on a different team from last year with different opponents. Some of the guys on the team hadn’t lost a game in two and a half years, which is unrealistic. ”
Against North Salinas on Sept. 20, after ending the first quarter of the game 14-14, the Vikings eventually surpassed the Padres, who took a 45-26 loss.
Despite difficulties during the first two league games of the season, Carmel brought home a 57-13 league win against Aptos on Sept. 26. After that homecoming win and an early 33-21 non-league win against Soledad, who didn’t score until the third quarter, the Padres are eager to see what the rest of the season will bring.
Despite the Padres hard work in the higher Gabilan Division, Soquel left Carmel to their first shutout in years. Photo by PETE NOTO
“It was a great team win and got us good momentum for the rest of the season,” says senior quarterback Kaleb Herro.
Coming off of such a successful season, the Padres are eager to strengthen their training in order to come back stronger in upcoming games. Practicing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and using Friday as a brief runthrough, Anderson integrates feedback from each prior weekend’s game in order to best improve week by week.
“Now being a senior on the team, I need to set the tone for the younger players in how I practice, prepare and act,” says senior left tackle Robert Beverly, who has committed to University of California, Davis. “With losses, we use them as lessons. We watch film, figure out what went wrong and correct it.”
After their first league loss of the season, the Padres are looking forward to training for the Shoe Game, hoping to win for the 11th consecutive year. photo by PETE NOTO
Beyond the Gabilan Division, Carmel is focused on keeping the Shoe at home for the 11th year in a row. With no losses at the Shoe Game since 2014, the team is eager to defeat Pacific Grove once more on Nov. 8.
“Number one, we want to win the Shoe,” Anderson says. “A lot of our preparation comes from daily improvement and stacking good days on top of good days. When we get to the Shoe Game, the more prepared we are as a team overall, the better shot we have for it because we know how important it is to the community.”
For the Padres, maintaining success long term is vital. After a historic 2024 season, the players are motivated to surpass the goals they have previously set for themselves.
“Coming back from winning state last year has been motivating for us,” notes Beverly. “We know teams are coming after us, and that target on our back pushes us to prepare harder and play better. With big wins, we enjoy the moment but stay hungry.”
The Padres identify weaknesses from each weekend’s game in hopes of making long-term improvements. photo by PETE NOTO
While last year CHS had a large group of varsity seniors, most of whom had been playing since their sophomore year, the team this year is much less senior heavy.
“We only have three or four kids right now who are on their third year on the varsity team, while last year we had around 12,” explains Anderson. “What I have noticed from our players this year is they are always here, have good attitudes, are all good teammates, and when you’re a new group together, you have to grow together. and then sometimes that’s not always glamorous. It’s a lot of hard work and time.”
For senior defensive end Indy Gabrielson, showing up for his teammates is necessary in order to help the team thrive.
“I definitely feel more responsibility to set the tone for practice as a senior,” says Gabrielson. “Coming back from such a successful season last year, it set a standard for how we need to show up every day and work our hardest. I’m looking forward to moving on from the losses, seeing what went poorly, seeing what we did right and seeing what changes we need to make.”
On Oct. 3, Carmel High Varsity Football will face Palma with hopes of a second Gabilan Division win, while bringing home the Shoe once more on Nov. 8 remains a priority.
