After a year of turmoil, El Cerrito chases storybook state title

EL CERRITO — In the spring and summer months before the season, El Cerrito coach Tim Johnson saw more coaches than players on his practice field.

Twenty-three seniors gone. Thirteen players transferred out of the program. A few months removed from a North Coast Section postseason ban that hallowed the roster and cast uncertainty around the East Bay program, the Gauchos looked nothing like a team that would play December football anytime soon.

Yet, somehow, El Cerrito retooled itself into a contender. Behind an ambitious first-year head coach and a young core of hungry players, the Gauchos clawed their way from the jaws of defeat.

First, El Cerrito showed it was still the top dog of the Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division, easily cruising to a league title. Next, the Gauchos proved