GILROY —The goal of the Gavilan football program isn’t to win games—though it likes it when that happens, too. Head coach Spencer Gilford said the goal is to help his young student-athletes to the next level and achieve their goals of playing at a four-year institution. On Friday, two more players were able to do that.
Offensive lineman Kevin Taylor signed his letter of intent to play football at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Tex., while quarterback Brandon Pickens inked a financial award letter to play for Whittier College in Whittier next season in the Gavilan P.E. office.
“At the end of everything that we do, there’s this,” Gilford said. “They achieve the goals and move on to the four-year level and that’s where we really hang our hat at the end of the day. We’re preparing them for this eventual success—and this is just the realization of it. We’re very happy to see two more guys go.”
It’s been a long road for Taylor, who graduated from Sobrato in 2008. He spent a few years at his alma mater helping the Bulldogs staff before joining the Rams team in 2012. He was a two-year starter, earned All-Conference and team captain honors his first year. Taylor also received All-Region and Region III selections for his performance on the O-line.
“It’s a long time coming; I’ve worked really hard for it,” Taylor said. “When I first started at Gav, I didn’t think I was going to go anywhere in football—I was just playing to play. After being named All-Conference and team captain my first year, it became a big possibility so that’s what I strived for.”
Taylor will join the Division III Cowboys who went 4-6 last season and are looking to return to their glory days—much like the current Gavilan squad. Hardin Simmons last won the ASC Championship in 2004 and had an NCAA appearance in 2008. Taylor said he’s hoping to apply what he’s learned at Gavilan to his new team.
“What I’ve learned here is team is everything,” he said. “Nothing gets accomplished if you’re not together as a team. This program (Gavilan) is definitely on the rise and I like to think that I had a little bit to do with that.”
Taylor will major in history education with a minor in coaching. When asked if returning to the area to put his minor to work, he simply smiled and said: “It’s a possibility.”
Pickens, on the other hand, hasn’t been waiting quite as long for his signing day to come. A graduate of the Christopher High class of 2012, Pickens was a standout player for the Cougars. He was a three-year varsity starter and was named First Team All-League quarterback and CHS Offensive MVP in 2011. He also played in the Monterey County All-Star Game. Pickens was also a three-year starter on the baseball team and earned First Team All-League honors at second base in 2012.
The Poets went 1-8 last season and Pickens said their coach was excited about a QB of his caliber joining the staff. Pickens said he knows the system and is confident he’ll find success on the field. Pickens didn’t see much playing time with the Rams this season, but still saw success. He racked up 447 yards and a touchdown through five games.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “It’s always something that you want to do. I started from Pop Warner—I started at Mighty Mites—went to high school and it’s pretty exciting. I’ve played in Gilroy my whole life, too. It’s kind of fitting that I’m signing here at Gavilan today. It’s neat. It’s good to have family, friends around to see the whole thing.”
The sophomore QB said he’ll major in psychology, but hasn’t decided whether he’ll pursue a masters degree in that or go for a law degree. One thing is for certain, however—Pickens is ready to start the next phase of his life.
“It’s a good experience for me to go away and grow as a person down south, be on my own and play some football,” he said. “It’s just a stepping stone in getting my degree from a good private school and to move on in my life.”
