SAN JOSE — Gavilan did what it needed to. The Rams stayed strong in the second half and didn’t give up — even when trailing by seven points with just 0.6 seconds left on the clock.
But things just didn’t go their way.
For the second week, in a row Gavilan lost by one point, this time falling 27-26 to San Jose City College despite a tremendous effort as the clock wound down.
The Rams took over on the SJCC five-yard-line with 5.7 seconds left after the Jaguars’ punter mishandled a low snap and Gavilan was able to recover. Donovan Weatherspoon’s option pass fell short, but the clock showed 0.6 seconds left. Sophomore quarterback Nate Ellis found Trevin Kelley in the endzone for the touchdown, but Seth Holcom’s point after try ended up being just wide right.
Ellis finished 24 for 36 with 237 yards and two touchdowns.
The loss was that much harder considering the Rams needed it to make up crucial ground in the Coast Conference. Instead, Gavilan falls to an overall 2-5 record and 0-2 in conference.
“I really did like the way we competed in this game, our special teams played better,” Rams coach Spencer Gilford said. “We had a punt block, we had an onside kick that recovered to start the second half. We caused another turnover on special teams as well. We improved in those areas and of course we played to the end and those are always good things. We really need to make those our Hallmark, our card and what we do.”
Gavilan saw a standout performance from Jakari Johnson, who was an all-purpose threat against the Jaguars the entire game. Johnson picked up touchdowns on the ground from 24 and two yards out as well as a 79-yard pass from Ellis that put Gavilan ahead 20-13 in the third quarter. The sophomore finished the day with 12 carries for 88 yards and four catches for 90 yards with three touchdowns.
Gavilan also appears to be taking notes defensively as they helped win the turnover battle. The Jaguars had five fumbles in the game, three of which were forced and recovered by the Rams while they turned the ball over themselves just once. The team still needs to improve on fourth down defense, however. SJCC was able to convert on fourth down four times on eight attempts.
“Some of the guys are playing better, we still need some other guys to step up,” Gilford said. “I think our consistency from play to play is what needs to be improved upon. We have more good plays, but we still have some plays where we lose focus and it ends up being a big play for the other team.”
The Rams will take on a West Valley (1-6 overall, 0-2 conference) team who finds itself in a similar situation to their own as neither team has been able to pick up a win in conference play. Unlike Gavilan, however, West Valley hasn’t won a game since Week 1.
“It’s the most important game of the year,” Gilford said. “We went on a two-game winning streak at the end of the preseason and now we’re on a two-game losing streak. This is a big game for us to come home, get a win and get back on track and remember what it feels like to win.”
Gavilan hosts West Valley at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Reporter Bob Burch contributed to this report.
