Next up on the slate for the Gavilan Rams, members of the Coast
Conference, is Modesto, which is off to a 3-0 start under veteran
coach Jim Young. The Pirates host Gavilan Saturday at 6 p.m.
Once the next two weeks of non-conference football are played, it is likely that every one of the coaches in the Coast Conference will be ready to review their rosters and playbooks in search of a title in what is typically a five-week series of showdowns.
The six-team Coast Conference has been on the short end of most games through three weeks of pre-conference activity.
With teams from ‘A’ and ‘B’ conferences stacked early in the season against every one of the members of the ‘C’-classified Coast Conference, it is not surprising that the conference has a combined 3-15 record entering this weekend’s games.
Next up on the slate for the Gavilan Rams, members of the Coast Conference, is Modesto, which is off to a 3-0 start under veteran coach Jim Young. The Pirates host Gavilan Saturday at 6 p.m.
“We’re a very young team,” Young said before Wednesday’s practice. “I’m personally surprised at our start, but the good sophomore leadership has helped.”
The Pirates defeated Coast Conference stalwart Hartnell 37-22 two weeks ago, then continued past Laney 31-16 last week.
“Ernie Fields has given our offense a lot of energy,” Young added. “We rode him against Laney. Seemed like every time he touched the ball, something good happened.”
Out of action the first week because of a broken thumb, Adams, a 5-foot-10, 200-pounder, has rushed 38 times for 272 yards in two outings, including a 64-yard touchdown run.
Gavilan, coming off consecutive shut out losses, will be out to move the football against the Pirates and continue to show discipline on defense.
“We had a big reduction in penalties, from 23 down to nine, so we want to maintain that discipline this week,” said Gavilan coach Spencer Gilford.
“Our offense needs to start executing better,” the coach added.
The Rams had negative yardage in a 56-0 setback to College of the Sequoias last week.
“Modesto runs the ball very well, using a spread offense. It’ll be our defense’s job to continue to show improvement. The defensive unit gave up 24 points against Sequoias.”
The Rams will have one ‘C’ conference test, Contra Costa at home next week, before beginning conference play at San Jose City College.
