MONTEREY
– Gavilan coach John Lango asked for a total team effort when
the Rams traveled to Monterey Saturday night to play the MPC Lobos
in a key Coast Conference showdown.
MONTEREY – Gavilan coach John Lango asked for a total team effort when the Rams traveled to Monterey Saturday night to play the MPC Lobos in a key Coast Conference showdown.
The Rams delivered with a 44-30 victory over the Lobos, marking Gavilan’s first win over MPC since 2003.
Two touchdowns each were delivered by offense, defense and special teams, lifting Gavilan to a 1-1 conference mark going into Saturday night’s Homecoming Game against the Hartnell Panthers at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex.
“I knew coming in that Monterey wanted to stop our running game and make us pass,” said Lango. The Rams received touchdown catches from Frank Lawson III and Timothy Harvey, both thrown by Mike Incardona.
“We were going to do the same,” said Lango. “Stop their running game and make them beat us through the air.” The result was four interceptions by the Ram secondary, including one for a touchdown.
Special teams play, a problem for Gavilan most of the season, also came up with two touchdowns. James Gaynor and Arthur Pittman both returned kick-offs for touchdowns. Arthur Velasquez topped the special teams effort with a 48-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half.
Although the Rams were able to strike for 44 points, the team needed less than six minutes to fall behind 14-0.
Lobo Zachary Heagar set up a one-yard Andrew Russo touchdown bolt by returning the opening kick-off 92 yards. Five minutes later, Heager burst for a 14-yard touchdown.
Gaynor stopped the Lobo momentum by racing 84 yards to paydirt on the ensuing kick-off. The Rams pulled even at 14-14 when Pittman caused a Lobo fumble and linebacker Alex Berry scooped up the ball and traveled the 75 yards to a touchdown.
The Lobos threatened with a drive inside Gavilan’s 35 behind freshman quarterback Daniel Connors.
“Monterey came out with a five-receiver set and we went with a blitz,” said Lango. “The rush caused a quick throw, the receiver wasn’t ready and Arthur (Pittman) cut in front for the interception.” Pittman’s first of two touchdowns gave Gavilan a lead it would not relinquish, 21-14.
Frank Lawson III slipped behind the MPC secondary to pull in a 53-yard touchdown pass for the 28-14 edge. After MPC regrouped for a touchdown, Velasquez completed the scoring for the half with a field goal.
Pittman jetted to a 79-yard kick-off return for a touchdown on the opening kick of the second half. MPC earned two points by blocking Ivan Lopez’ PAT kick, Nathan Bell traveling 75 yards to make it 37-23.
The Lobos finished scoring with a one-yard Connors sneak in the third quarter. Harvey made his fourth TD catch of the season, a 68-yarder in the fourth quarter that the wide-out grabbed at midfield and outraced the secondary.
