This year is different.
Among the Gilroy High football coaches and players, it seems to
be the running theme.
This year is different.
Among the Gilroy High football coaches and players, it seems to be the running theme.
The Mustangs, who are back home to take on San Lorenzo Valley High at 7:30 tonight, are undefeated after three games for the fourth time in the last five years.
So why does this season have a different feel to it? Why won’t this one turn into another disappointing tailspin, like last season’s 1-4 showing in the Tri-County Athletic League?
It depends on who you ask.
Junior free safety Sean Velasques?
“We feel more united,” he said. “It’s more like a family this year.”
Senior Z-back/cornerback Louie Gutierrez?
“We have a lot of determination this season,” he said. “Last year we didn’t always take it seriously.”
Junior center and captain Bobby Best?
“I think we tried a lot harder in the offseason,” he said. “We rested on our laurels last year. This year we’re not satisfied until we’re 10-0. Or 13-0.”
But perhaps Tim Pierleoni, who has been Gilroy’s offensive coordinator during all four of those quick starts, summed it up most effectively.
“These guys are bigger, stronger and faster than all those other teams,” he said. “Plus, they’ve worked harder collectively than any other group.”
So the talk inside the Mustang camp does seem convincing.
“This is the year,” senior Z-back/cornerback Shea Lemos said. “We’re not folding this time.”
But like every other season, the proof will play out on the field.
Tonight, Gilroy looks to move to 4-0 with a win over the 0-2 visitors from Felton.
The Cougars, who have dropped close games to San Benito and St. Ignatius this season, are carried on offense by the versatile Matt Kiel. The junior not only leads the team in rushing and receiving, but also threw a 66-yard touchdown in Hollister during Week 1.
Led by longtime coach Doug Morris, SLV has traditionally been an area powerhouse. From 1995 to 2002, the Cougar program won three Central Coast Section titles, seven straight Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League titles and enjoyed a 46-game unbeaten streak in division play.
But last year it all came tumbling down for the Cougars, who finished 4-6 overall and missed the playoffs for the first time in years.
Although the game was later forfeited because of an ineligible player, the Mustangs handed the Cougars one of those losses with a 30-6 beating in Felton.
“We’ve told the guys to be prepared … these guys aren’t going to lay down,” Pierleoni said. “They’ve got a good coaching staff and I’m sure they’ll use last year as motivation.
“I’m sure there’s a payback factor with them.”
As for Gilroy’s motivation, don’t expect the forfeit fiasco from a year ago to play much of a factor.
“I don’t think that’s a big deal,” Best said. “We’re approaching it like it’s any other game.
“We’re going to protect our home turf and do whatever it takes to smash them into the ground.”
