GILROY—The Golden Coast League portion of Gavilan’s 2014 football experience ended on a high note Saturday night as the Rams raced past the Monterey Peninsula College Lobos 45-41 at the Garcia-Elder Sports Complex.
Coach Spencer Gilford logged his first win over MPC in four tries as the Rams snapped a six-game losing streak. Gavilan takes a 3-6 mark into the Nov.15 finale against non-league foe College of the Redwoods Corsairs in Eureka.
“We played well at times and we won the turnover battle,” said Gilford. “If you look in the past, when we’ve lost the turnover game we’ve gone on to lose the game.”
The Rams gave up one fumble against the Lobos, while the visitors gave up two fumbles, two interceptions and a blocked punt.
Halfback Anthony Brooks had a breakout performance for Gavilan, dashing to 164 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries.
Deniko Carter, carrying much of the load for the Rams in the receiving department, came up with eight catches for 107 yards.
Carter was also instrumental in the Gavilan return game. After MPC went nine plays with the opening kick-off to take a 6-0 lead, Carter bolted untouched for a 97-yard kickoff return and a 7-6 Ram advantage with 11:20 left in the first quarter.
Once the Rams stopped the Lobos on the next series, Brooks ran 90 yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage.
“I owe that one to the offensive line,” said Brooks of the quick opener that found the runner past all of the defenders at the 20-yard line. “Once the blockers did their jobs, I was gone.”
Brooks added touchdown runs of two, four and 17 yards.
Gavilan’s lone turnover, a fumble at midfield with 3:26 left in the first quarter, set up a four-play drive to paydirt. Keon Marsh threw a 36-yard TD pass to Jameel Kirkland to leave the Lobos down 14-13.
“For the most part, our secondary played well,” Gilford said of his improving unit.
Pat McQueen, whose play highlighted the Rams’ ability to hold onto the lead, echoed Gilford’s comments.
“Give credit to the defensive line and linebackers,” McQueen offered. “They made the secondary’s job easier.”
The versatile McQueen aided the Rams offense by converting six PAT kicks and threading a 41-yard field goal.
As a cornerback, McQueen came up with a timely interception.
The Lobos had one final lead, 20-14, when Marsh snuck over from one yard out with 12:57 left in the first half. Gavilan regrouped to take a 21-20 lead with 7:29 left in the half on a Brooks’ two-yarder.
Gavilan quarterback Drew Fryhoff connected on 14 consecutive pass attempts to start the game. Fryhoff’s 24-yard pitch to Carter at the two set up the Brooks scoring run.
Fryhoff connected with Carter for 26 yards early in the second half to help Gavilan to a 28-20 lead. Marsh pulled the Lobos even at 28-28 with a 32-yard TD pass and a successful two-point PAT with 11:16 left in the third quarter.
Brooks blocked a Lobo punt at the 8:12 mark. Mike Pirnik picked up the loose football and ran 22 yards to a 35-28 Rams lead.
McQueen’s talent was most evident in the first minute of the fourth quarter. The defensive back cut in front of a Lobo receiver, made the interception and ran 69 yards to the Lobo 20.
“I saw they kept doing the screens and wheel routes,” McQueen said. “Once I made the interception, Dillon Babb gave me a great block to help the return.”
McQueen made the 41-yard field goal with 13:05 left in the game. “That’s very much in my range,” said the versatile McQueen. “The best kick in my career was 55 yards.”
Given the 38-28 lead, Gavilan matched a Lobos scoring march with a Brooks 17-yard TD run with 1:03 to play. Linebacker Darche Jordan had a fumble recovery with 2:40 left to quell the potential Lobo go-ahead drive.
The Lobos earned a touchdown on the final play of the game.
