I didn’t have a chance to watch the tape of Gilroy-Atascadero
until late Monday night, so I wanted to add five final thoughts
about the game.
I didn’t have a chance to watch the tape of Gilroy-Atascadero until late Monday night, so I wanted to add five final thoughts about the game.
(Full disclosure: I was in San Diego for the wedding of a close friend this past weekend, which is why I wasn’t able to attend. I promise, it will be the only GHS football game I miss this season unless I lose a limb. Even then, I’d just get someone else to keep stats for me.)
1. The defense was excellent.
Containing the Greyhound’s running back Nick Tenhaeff was certainly no easy task, but limiting him to one gamebreaking play – a 65-yard touchdown run – was impressive. The kid has a full ride to San Diego State and it’s easy to see why. He’s a fluid runner that doesn’t come down easy.
Gilroy’s run blitzing was awesome, though. The Mustangs consistently penetrated the line, shifted before the snap to make sure Atascadero never knew where the pressure was coming from, and swarmed to the ball to gang tackle.
If I had to choose a Defensive Player of the Week (and I do), I would go with Adrian Melendez. Silent in the first half, in the final two quarters Melendez had a sack, a tackle for loss and also broke up what looked like a trick play when the game could have gone either way. He’s not a big guy, but the junior obviously has plenty of athleticism, which could allow him to be a real playmaker as the season progresses – just as long as he doesn’t get any more personal fouls like he did in the first game against Mitty. The penalty wiped away a punt return for a touchdown by Dante Fullard, making GHS coach Rich Hammond livid to say the least.
Of course, Fullard still got his score a few plays later, catching a pass for a 58-yard touchdown.
I also think defensive end Chris McMurray has a chance to be a very good pass rusher this season. Cutting down on a tendency to overrun the play on runs will decide how good he can be as an overall defender.
2. Gilroy can’t make so many mistakes and expect to keep winning.
Those fumbles were absolute killers. Especially the one on the 1-yard line by Fullard. Saying that, I think Fullard and Sean Hale coughing up the ball is more of an aberration than anything. The two are too good to make those kinds of mistakes very often.
As far as penalties go, sometimes the breaks don’t go your way, especially on the road. But had Gilroy cut a few of them out, the margin of victory likely would have been far more impressive to those who simply saw the score.
3. Sean Hale was very, very good.
I gave Player of the Week honors to fullback Peter Guenther, but Hale could have won the award had a touchdown catch not been called back. He made plays all over the field for four quarters.
4. Coach Hammond has some hops.
For someone who has no MCL in his right knee and is currently wearing a brace to keep it immobilized, Hammond was still able to jump a couple feet off the ground when the refs incorrectly awarded possession to Atascadero when Gilroy should have had a fourth-down play to run out the clock.
I’m sure his knee – as well as GHS trainer Jennifer Spinetti – wasn’t happy about the move, but I rewound the tape several times for entertainment value.
5. Practice has to be better this week than last week.
Coaches complained about focus and it seemed to result in a closer score than anticipated. It’s incredibly important for the Mustangs to finish out the preseason part of their schedule undefeated. It won’t be easy.
Friday’s opponent, Palo Alto, is considered a top-5 team in the section by Hammond. The Mercury News’ Dennis Knight has Palo Alto ranked 8th as of last week.
While the Vikings only beat Archbishop Mitty by two scores, 41-27, Friday night, they were up 27-6 at one point. Gilroy also had a lull that allowed the Monarchs to get back in it during their Week 1 game, but then put them away in short order for the rout.
Gilroy’s pass defense will get its first true challenge from Palo Alto quarterback Will Brandin, who finished 20-for-26 for 259 yards and four touchdowns against Mitty, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
