SALINAS >> More than two decades after playing his final soccer game at Alvarez High School, the passion and pride still burns deeply inside Gabriel Campos.

Having returned to campus 21 years after helping the program to a league title — now as a head coach — Campos came in with a plan three years ago that included a culture shift and re-instilling pride in the program.

“My coach (Susano Marquez) and athletic director (Chuck Noroian) left a big impression on me, helped mold me into who I am today,” Campos said. “I have a lot of fond memories from playing. I wanted these kids to have the same experience.”

A shift in power in the Pacific Coast Athletic League is occurring as the Eagles will fly into the Central Coast Section playoffs as Gabilan Division champions.

Unbeaten in 20 matches this year, the likelihood is the reigning CCS Division III champion Eagles (18-0-2) will be moved into the Division I bracket.

“Where this really started was in my first year,” Campos said. “The seniors from that class set the tone, bought an atmosphere into the locker room. They made the sacrifices to change the culture. Those seniors are the reason we are here today.”

Yet, the flashes that Campos saw in his first year were not consistent last season. In fact, the team was on the verge of missing the playoffs until salvaging a tie with perennial power Alisal.

“I go back to that match as a turning point,” Campos said. “We’re down 2-0 late in the game and came back to tie it. That got us into the playoffs. We’ve lost just once since that match.”

That came in the Northern California Division III tournament, which the Eagles have used this season as incentive — an unfinished business approach.

“We began this season with a blank slate,” Campos said. “I don’t like to blurt out what my goals are. I want them to measure themselves. The only team that’s circled is our next opponent.”

Perhaps.

But Alvarez came into the season with momentum. The core from that section title team were back along with a big addition in senior midfielder Edwin Moreno.

Having sat out last season while playing with the San Jose Earthquakes Academy and Monterey Bay FC2, Moreno came back out this winter for his senior season.

“I did gain a lot of experience knowledge-wise,” Moreno said. “I understand the game more. I also appreciate playing with my friends again.”

While playing for the Earthquakes Academy, Moreno was homeschooled through the academy. Returning to campus has improved his academic goals.

“Learning virtually is better than online,” Moreno said. “I wanted to make sure I have something to fall back on after soccer. It feels so much better being back on campus.”

The measuring stick that Campos used came earlier in this season when the Eagles were invited to take part in the Mission City Invitational in San Rafael.

Facing two perennial playoff powers from two different sections, the Eagles went 2-0 in the tournament, beating Redwood, which won a North Coast Section title last year.

“That tournament set the tone for our season,” Campos said. “I believe there were eight section champions. After that tournament, we felt we could dominate.”

That’s been evident in the Gabilan Division, where the Eagles have doubled their win total from last season in league play, earning their first league title in 12 years.

“This league is a gauntlet,” Campos said. “These teams are well-coached and organized — have a style of play that defines them. You have to have a full range of players to compete.”

The Gabilan Division has seen three different programs win CCS divisional titles in the past three years, including two Northern California division titles by King City.

Moreno, who has eight goals and a team-high 10 assists, has deepened an already talent-laden roster that includes junior Luis Macias and his team-leading 24 goals, including a goal in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Alisal.

“He’s (Macias) a wingman that’s a magician,” Campos said. “He has speed, can dribble and is technically sound. The kid is just gifted. He’s a next level player.”

The 6-foot-1 Macias, who had seven goals last year, including the game-winner in the Division III title game, has produced goals in 19 matches this season for Alvarez.

As dynamic as Macias has been, production has been balanced with Jorge Hernandez, last year’s team leader in goals — having registered a career-high 15 this season.

“Jorge has been doing this for three years,” Campos said. “He’s unstoppable up front. He is just better than you in the air or on the ground. He steals balls and turns them into a one-on-one with the goalie.”

The architect of this offense, which has outscored opponents 62-14 this year, is center-forward Fernando Matias, who has nine goals and 10 assists.

“He’s great at setting up his teammates,” Campos said. “He associates all the pieces around him. He’s an unselfish kid that is always providing his teammates with opportunities.”

As a team captain, Moreno has preached the importance of not getting overconfident, rather remaining focused, disciplined and continuing to improve as a unit.

“I could tell after my first practice back that we had a chance to do something special,” Moreno said. “It’s almost the same team as my sophomore year. Just more mature.”

The balance that Campos speaks of includes a defense that creates energy, starting with goalie Alvaro Reyes, who has nine shutouts and 122 saves.

“He’s a very important piece to this team,” Campos said. “We haven’t lost any games to this point because of Alvaro. He’s been put into action, where he has performed.”

Spearheaded by a wall that includes Eric Guzman, Omar Lopez and Christian Castro in front of Reyes, Alvarez has allowed just nine league goals in 12 matches

“I played on two really good teams here,” Campos said. “We weren’t as mistake free as these guys. I don’t think we could stop this top line. This roster is a melting pot of magic soccer happening.”

With just its fourth league title in the program’s 30 years, Alvarez needs one win in the CCS playoffs to be extended an invitation to the Northern California tournament.

Ranked No. 3 in the CCS, the only teams ranked ahead of the Eagles are top-seed Bellarmine of San Jose, which missed the playoffs last year, and Mountain View. Both have just one loss on the season.

“We’re not taking the foot off the gas pedal,” Campos said. “We don’t talk about records or being unbeaten. We understand each match is a huge challenge. We’re not changing the script.”

Yet, as the milestones continue to pile up, why not establish a few more along its path toward a historic record-breaking unbeaten streak.

“No doubt, we felt a little empty on how last season ended,” Campos said. “We’re still a young group, but a hungry group. There’s still a long road ahead. These kids want to leave a legacy.”