College of the Redwoods scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to down Gavilan College 32-31 on Saturday.
“We weren’t focused enough to finish and let them back in,” head coach Spencer Gilford said. “You can never take a team lightly and we have to learn how to finish the game.”
The Rams (1-3) put themselves in position to kick a game-winning field goal at the end of the contest, but that effort was blocked.
Redwoods also blocked a punt for a touchdown late in the third quarter. That moved Redwoods to within five points at 31-26.
“We need to shore up our special teams,” Gilford said. “I’m disappointed in our lack of execution.”
A late fourth quarter touchdown on a trick-play-double pass from Sonny Ryles to Aubrey Reed put Redwoods (2-2) ahead 32-31.
“Hopefully we can learn from these mistakes and put it toward next week,” Gilford said.
Gavilan quarterback Omar Kharroub (20-of-33, 211 yards) threw two of his three touchdown passes in the first half – a 34-yard connection to Marcus Harrell and an 18-yard play to Danny Maiello.
Jeff Smith had an interception turned 30-yard touchdown and the Rams took a 21-14 lead into halftime.
Harrell (eight catches, 177 yards) hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass and Dominic Changco converted a 25-yard field goal to lift Gavilan to its 31-14 advantage.
NOTES: Donovan Weatherspoon rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries…William Lee had two sacks and Shawn Paul had one…Jose Sanchez also had an interception for the Rams.
