Rams to host Bulldogs at 7 p.m. on Gilroy High field
GILROY – The Gavilan Rams are seriously focused on a five-game winning streak to wrap up a successful football season, a Coast Conference title and a bowl bid.
Unfortunately, the Rams must probably wait one week to start this impressive closing rush. Instead, Gavilan must play College of San Mateo at 7 p.m. Saturday at Mustang Stadium.
Gavilan coach John Lango offered that San Mateo “may be a better team than Sierra.” Since Sierra toyed with Gavilan 65-0 two weeks ago, Lango’s review makes Saturday’s non-conference showdown seem a possible one-sided affair.
Two years ago, the game officials kept a running clock for most of the second half in a 53-7 San Mateo romp. The Bulldogs added another home win over the Rams in 2002, a 58-10 contest with properly timed play.
San Mateo is ranked fourth among Northern California community colleges after a 4-0 start, while Gavilan (2-2) entered the rankings at 20 with a 35-18 triumph over Mendocino.
The Bulldogs powered past Merced 52-28 weeks ago, while Gavilan handed Merced a 28-14 setback in the first game of the season.
“This will be the most physical game we’ll have played,” said Lango of the Saturday game. “San Mateo’s big up front and their fullback, Sione Tavake, is a 260-pounder.”
Lango’s plan includes, as always, an offense that avoids the quick 3-and-out series. “If we can move the ball, sustain some drives, that’ll help our defense by keeping them off the field.”
After playing pass-happy Marin and Mendocino, the run-oriented Bulldogs, seventh in the state rankings, give the Rams one final chance to work on defending rushing teams prior to Coast Conference competition.
“We do have some experienced players and some of our youngsters have done a good job,” said Larry Owen, the 14-year coach of the Bulldogs.
“We’ve still been inconsistent. Our biggest thing is ourselves. If we don’t play well, it doesn’t matter who we play. Gavilan’s a good team, with a 2-2 record.”
Steve Haren has connected on 40 of 57 pass attempts for 673 yards and six touchdowns as the starting Bulldog quarterback. Tavake is averaging 94 rushing yards per game. Haren has a 56-yard average, Luther Mason 42 yards as the Bulldogs have built the state’s fourth-best total offensive machine (507 per game).
Gavilan completes the non-conference schedule on Oct. 11 in Visalia against College of Sequoias. Coast Conference action begins Oct. 18 with the Rams at DeAnza for a 1 p.m. test.
