Freshmen squad remains undefeated with convincing win over North
Monterey
By Michael Stevens Special to the Dispatch
Gilroy – When the undefeated Gilroy Mustangs freshman football team suited up for their clash with the North Monterey County Condors it was expected to be a battle until the end.
That never happened as the ‘Stangs routed the Condors 56-0 at Garcia-Elder Field Thursday.
During the first quarter, Gilroy showed no signs of mercy by scoring quickly and often. By the time the teams had dispersed into their respective locker rooms for the half the frosh Mustang players were well on their way to advancing to a 5-0 record.
While the Mustangs’ offense has dressed to impress throughout the first half of the season, averaging 35 plus points in their first five games, it’s their formidable defense that has been the leading catalyze in their emergence.
According to head coach Tim Lemos his team is driven by the play of his defense.
“We are extremely balanced in all three categories, (offense, defense, special teams) but we rely mostly on our defense’s ability to generate scoring chances and get our opponent’s offense off the field.”
So far Lemos’s defense has been perfect in accomplishing that task. Over the course of five games, the Mustangs have outscored their opponents 215-0. The closest they have come to allowing points this season came late in the fourth quarter against North Monterey County, when the Condors recovered a fumbled punt return and were set with a first and ten from Gilroy’s 12-yard line. The Mustangs were able to stop the advance by keeping the Condors out of the end zone.
Although the Mustangs have not played against a top tier program, their streak is impressive. Neither Coach Lemos nor athletic director Jack Daily can recall the last time a team began the first five games by keeping their opponents scoreless. Lemos does not doubt his team’s ability to beat the better teams within their division and take first place.
“Ever since our first practice, we have stressed the basics and our players have responded. Against the Palma’s and Hollister’s we just have to play like we have been playing and minimize our mistakes. If we do that, we will be successful,” he said.