Gavilan gridmen travel to Marin on Saturday at 1 p.m.
GILROY – The Gavilan Rams are the heavy favorite in Saturday’s 1 p.m. showdown in Kentfield against the College of Marin. Just ask the Mariners coach, Tim Adams.
“Gavilan’s a well-coached team, led by an extremely effective defense,” said Adams, beginning his second year at the helm of the Mariners.
“I’ve had headaches the past two days after watching the Gavilan game film (a 28-14 win over Merced),” continued Adams. “Roy Sims (defensive lineman) is a stud. You could tell watching the film once to see that he was head and shoulders the best football player on the field.”
Gavilan coach John Lango, taking a 1-0 mark into the Marin tilt, is eager to watch his defensive unit matched against the Geary Davenport-led Marin offense. Davenport was among the state’s leaders in passing and total offense last year, then opened this season with a 32-for-40 effort worth 370 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-30 loss to Coast Conference member DeAnza.
“We need another strong game from our defense if we are to contain Davenport,” Lango said. “He wreaked havoc on us last year. We’ve got our work cut out for us. They’re a lot like us. They keep rebuilding. They have 60 guys on their roster.”
Lango predicted a more balanced Marin offense than last year after watching film of the DeAnza game. The fourth-year Ram coach added that Saturday’s game offers a good test for the improving Ram defensive unit.
“This game is important because it will show if we can stop a passing team. We found out Saturday that we could play well against a running team in Merced.”
Marin defeated the Rams 30-26 in Kentfield in 2001, then suffered a last-second 23-21 loss on a Brandon Almaguer TD-pass reception that began on a tipped pass from Ram quarterback Ajene Palmer.
“That game was a bitter pill for us,” said Adams.
Marin struck for 530 yards of total offense against DeAnza, but was burned by five turnovers and 16 penalties.
“We’re a very young team, with five freshmen on offense and five starting on defense,” said Adams. “We have some very good talent, we just made too many freshman mistakes last week.”
When Adams elects to call a running play, he will choose between Matt Furuli and Tyke Moore (19 carries, 117 yards and one TD). Brian Shanahan, a sophomore linebacker, leads the College of Marin offense.
“I’m happy with our progress,” Lango stressed after reviewing the Merced game film. “I’m happy with where we are now. It’s a matter of continuing to work, to get that much better each week.”
The Rams were ninth-rated on defense among state community colleges after allowing 172 yards to Merced. Marin gave up 314 yards to DeAnza. including 276 on the ground.
Gavilan will conclude the two-game road portion of its pre-Coast Conference schedule on Sept. 20 in Rocklin against the Sierra College Wolverines.
