GHS opens home schedule against Leland tonight
Dawning blue shirts with bold white lettering on the front spelling “EXECUTE”, the Gilroy High coaching staff was sending out the not-so-subtle message to the players at practice this week.
“We have to execute,” head coach Greg Garcia said. “It’s not like we are having bad practices. It’s about putting all the pieces together during the game.”
GHS welcomes Leland to Garcia-Elder Sports Complex tonight in the Mustangs (1-1) home opener.
Paramount for success against the Chargers (1-1), who lost a nailbiter to Sobrato 35-34 last week, is a mistake-free opening quarter. Against Saratoga last Friday, a false start and a fumbled snap derailed the Mustangs’ first two drives of the contest. The miscues led to 14 quick points by the Falcons.
“We have to come out with the right attitude,” Garcia said.
After the defeat to Saratoga, a number of players put it upon themselves to take practice more seriously.
“It’s been a good week,” wide out Julius Travis said Wednesday.
Chargers’ quarterback Jason Habash has completed 60 percent of his passes through the first two games., compiling 80 yards and two touchdowns against Soquel in a Week 1 victory and 171 yards with a score and two interceptions versus the Bulldogs.
Leland features a plethora of ball carriers, five with at least eight rushes on the season. The team’s leading ground-gainer is Kenny Portera, who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry in the early going.
The Mustangs search for balance on offense will continue this week. After running 26 times and passing 21 in their win against Live Oak in Week 1, the Mustangs had seven rushing attempts to 42 passing in Week 2.
“If you want to run the ball, you have to establish it,” Garcia said.
Game time as usual is 7:30 p.m.
