The Gavilan Rams slipped to 1-1 in Coast Conference football
play Saturday night in Salinas, dropping a 31-6 decision to the
Hartnell Panthers.
Salinas – The Gavilan Rams slipped to 1-1 in Coast Conference football play Saturday night in Salinas, dropping a 31-6 decision to the Hartnell Panthers.
The Rams will have little time to regroup in an effort to remain in the conference title chase. Defending champion Monterey Peninsula College and current co-leader Cabrillo come to Gilroy the next two Saturdays to face coach John Lango’s charges.
A 14-yard touchdown pass from Gavilan’s Matt Virus to Rickie Mhoon in the final 45 seconds of action avoided a shut-out loss to the hosts.
The Panthers built a 10-0 lead by the close of the first quarter.
Gavilan’s first possession faltered, then a botched punt attempt left the Panthers in control at the Ram 20. Branden Olden threaded a 10-yard TD pass with 10:27 left for a 7-0 lead.
The Panthers covered 55 yards before settling for a 37-yard Vincente Rico 37-yard field goal with 5:10 to play in the quarter.
Salinas product Xavier Ceballos picked off an Olden offering in the Ram end zone to thwart a Hartnell effort early in the second quarter. Rico missed a field goal attempt later in the quarter, then returned to the field for a successful extra-point boot after Selwyn Daye rambled 22 yards to paydirt with 1:26 left.
After punting seven times in the first half, the Gavilan offense showed some improvement over the final 30 minutes.
