We are three weeks into the fall prep sports season and it’s
time for a quick timeout for a few shout-outs.
We are three weeks into the fall prep sports season and it’s time for a quick timeout for a few shout-outs.
There have been a lot of positive performances stemming from Gilroy and Christopher high schools to begin the year. Both cross country teams had productive weeks. The GHS girls team swept the first league meet of the year, anchored by a trio of senior runners and former state meet qualifiers – Athena Alarcon, Savannah Silacci and Maritza Ruelas – looking to recapture some of the magic of their previous seasons. At CHS, the girls cross country team went 6-0 at the initial Monterey Bay League center meet. GHS wide receiver Jourdan Soares is on pace to compile about 1,500 yards. That just based on his first three games of the season (24 catches, 520 yards and six touchdowns.)
Here are a few other notables from what is literally and figuratively just the beginning of an exciting fall season.
Defense wins ball games
The Christopher High football team has outscored opponents 90-0 in its past two games. The 90 points is impressive. But, to me, the zero points allowed by the defense in back-to-back outings really stands out.
The Cougars’ coaching staff has done well to game plan against Live Oak two weeks ago, and again for Pacific Grove last Friday. Both teams were coming off of contests where their running game did damage on opposing defenses. Not against the Cougars. With a stealth, nose-for-the-ball linebacking core and safety roaming the second and third levels of the defense, CHS held both teams under 100 yards of offense in the convincing victories.
Five players have already recorded 20-plus tackles this season – Patrick Mank (29), Mikey Pirnik (26), Dillon Babb (23), Bryant Cid (23), Travis Franco (22.) Those numbers according to mbaypreps.com.
With a bye this week, the Cougars will no doubt use the extra time to scout Monterey High, which CHS will host to open Monterey Bay play Sept. 30.
Staying busy on the victory trail
After starting the season 1-5, the CHS girls varsity volleyball team has won eight of its last nine matches, seven of those wins in straight-sets fashion.
The Cougars have been busy since opening the year Sept. 1, averaging three matches per week.
Soccer stardom
The Gavilan College men’s soccer team is on pace to collect more victories this season than it has had in the past two years (six) combined. New head coach Justin Johnson has already instilled the will to win, and did so by recruiting locally. Eighteen of the Rams’ 22 players on the roster are from Gilroy, Hollister or Morgan Hill. The Rams are currently 4-1-1.
— Need a football fix tonight? Check out Anchorpoint High School and Anzar square off in 8-man football action at 6 p.m. in San Juan Bautista.
