CASTROVILLE >> It’s one thing for a coach to have flashbacks of what happened the last time North Monterey County High’s football team was sitting in this position.

It’s another for a player from that team five years ago — who is now a coach — to talk to the current corps of Condors about the importance of coming to football practice and remaining focused.

“I told the kids to ask coach (Cyrus) Coffelt about the past,” North County coach Juan Cuevas said. “Ask him how it felt, how much it hurts, even to this day. It’s a horrible feeling.”

Although the celebration music gets a little louder in the locker room after each win, the job is far from finished as the Condors will look to remain undefeated in the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division North on Friday when they host Seaside at 7:30 p.m.

North County (4-2 overall, 2-0 in division) is one of two teams still undefeated in league play after knocking off preseason favorite Alisal last week. Two weeks earlier, it beat defending champion Scotts Valley.

“We’re in a position of control,” Cuevas said. “But there is some pressure that comes with that. I personally feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I lose sleep at night.”

Perhaps it’s because Cuevas was the offensive coordinator in 2019 when North County needed to win just one of its final three games to ensure a playoff spot.

The Condors lost all three games by a combined 13 points, including a 14-13 season-ending loss to Gonzales, resulting in uniforms being turned in much sooner than expected.

“We were 6-1 overall, undefeated in league and couldn’t finish,” Cuevas said. “We had kids that started to miss practice, not show up to class. It left a bad taste in our mouths.”

Losing 18 months to the pandemic turned Cuevas’ debut as the head coach four years ago into a complete rebuild, where trust and establishing a culture has been a slow progression.

“What we’ve done to this point is nice,” Cuevas said. “Now it’s about finishing the last month of the season and making a statement. Missing practice isn’t acceptable.”

Seaside, meanwhile, has been having problems keeping the numbers up on its roster. After suiting up 20 kids the previous two weeks, finishing one game with 17, Seaside had 25 players in uniform in last week’s 26-17 win over Watsonville. It was the Spartans’ (1-5, 1-2) first win of the year.

‘The hardest part of this rebuild is making kids believe,” Seaside coach Al Avila said. “What is the purpose? Well, we’re still moving. Kids are hustling and enthusiastic. We’re improving.”

Cuevas is aware of that, having seen video of Seaside. He’s also aware of the big play potential of a handful of players, as shown by Seaside scoring eight touchdowns of 50 yards or longer this fall.

“No question their skill guys scare me,” Cuevas said. “They like the quick pass, and let their playmakers make plays. They fly around on defense. They play fast and hard. It’s still Seaside.”

What Cuevas preached in practice this week is it’s not the same North County. It’s a program that has bought in and plays at a high level when it’s disciplined.

“They are big and physical,” Avila said. “It’s like an old-school North County football team. They are better coached this year, more disciplined. Coach has done a nice job with those kids.”

What’s different about the Condors this fall is their resilience. That was evident in the season opener when they overcame a 19-point deficit in the second half to beat Alvarez.

Three weeks ago North County was down 12-0 to Scotts Valley, outscoring them 14-0 in the second half for its first road win.

“We’ve proved we know how to win,” Cuevas said. “What we can’t have is silly penalties. I’m not going to tell the kids not to show emotion. I love energy. But getting personal with an opponent can’t be our ultimate goal.”

Cuevas was referring to over 100 yards in penalties last week, in which a 27-7 lead in the second half ended up being a 27-20 win over Alisal.

“We’re in a position right now to where we can contend for a title,” said Cuevas, whose Condors still have a game with unbeaten St. Francis on Nov. 2. “When is the last time that happened?”

You’d have to go back to 2003 to the last time the Condors — who have the second-most league football titles in the county — won a league championship.

“What I reminded the kids this week is just because you’re not a starter doesn’t mean your role doesn’t matter,” Cuevas said. “We need every piece to make this happen.”

There have been flashes all season of the Spartans’ potential, starting with Julius Escort returning three kickoffs for touchdowns, leading the team with seven touchdowns.

In last week’s win over Watsonville, Escort’s younger brother Josiah had a big game with three rushing touchdowns, while the defense got a pick-six from Kean Ealey.

“Size-wise, we are outmatched by everyone,” Avila said. “But we believe we have some of the best skill guys in our league. We’re trying to speed things up and spread guys out. We took a big step forward. But it’s a long process. We have to understand that.”

Part of the adjustment in the Spartans’ attack starts at quarterback, where Avila started freshman Elijah Romero for the second straight game.

“When you’re a team that’s young, struggling and going through a rebuild, we decided to go with the freshman,” Avila said. “We put him into the fire, with an eye on next year. The good news is we’re getting better. Our puppies are starting to bite.”

Cuevas can attest to experience at quarterback being critical, having done something similar three years ago when he brought AJ Gomez up as a sophomore.

Now as a senior, Gomez is not only a leader but has turned the Condors into a pass-first team. He threw a career-high four touchdowns last week.

“Two of AJ’s four touchdown passes was him going away from his first read, keeping the play alive by scrambling, then finding the second or third option,” Cuevas said. “He and the offensive line have been on the same page.”

The same can be said about receiver Kenji Mellin, who is playing high school football for the first time, partly because of Gomez, who is a teammate of his in basketball.

“Kenji has made some big-time athletic plays that have helped us,” Cuevas said.

Don’t mistake the Condors for being one-dimensional, as tailback Chris Rasmussen is still a dynamic runner who just happens to catch a few more passes.

“Our passing game is working because of the threat of the run,” Cuevas said. “I thought Friday was a great example of who we could be. We were moving bodies up front.”

Somewhat overshadowed has been the Condors defense, which has shutout three teams in the second half behind linebacker Leo Cruz and defensive lineman Arnie Jimenez.

“We have teams look at where #74 (Jimenez) is and run the other way,” Cuevas said. “So we moved him to nose guard.”

Having given up an average of 50.1 points a game in their first four games, the Spartans defense allowed just 17 last week.

Part of that is the return of defensive end/linebacker Jeremiah Laui, who has come back from an injury. Last fall the 6-foot-2 pass rusher had 12.5 sacks as a sophomore.

“He has been the heartbeat of our defense since returning,” Avila said. “He just makes plays. And Keon (Ealey) is the best defensive back in the area.”