The five-week Coast Conference experience opens today when the
co-champions of 2003, Gavilan and DeAnza, collide on the Dons’ turf
at 1 p.m.
The five-week Coast Conference experience opens today when the co-champions of 2003, Gavilan and DeAnza, collide on the Dons’ turf at 1 p.m.
DeAnza rebounded from a 28-6 loss to Gavilan in last year’s opener to end the year with a three-game winning streak. Both teams went 3-1 in conference action, Gavilan receiving the bowl bid with the win in head-to-head play.
“This is a new season starting and we’re excited about our team’s progress,” said DeAnza head coach Mike Mitchell.
“Gavilan’s a very good team and we’re better (2-3 in pre-conference play) than our record. The winner of this game has a good shot at a second conference title.
“The Coast Conference is really good this year. Everybody can beat everybody and there may be upsets throughout.”
Coach Lango, ready to embark on his fifth conference schedule leading the Gavilan Rams, agreed that the six-team circuit has improved over last season.
“A team may be able to go 4-1 and get a share of the title,” said Lango.
Gavilan’s state-ranked defensive unit may be the difference in today’s scuffle. While the Rams (3-2) have limited five opponents to an average of 159 yards, DeAnza is last among conference defenses with a 413.4 average.
“We learned alot from the second half against San Mateo,” Lango said of the Rams’ failure to keep control of a 12-0 lead over the Bulldogs, leading to a 35-point meltdown in the final 30 minutes.
“We were able to point out the mistakes made and we believe the defensive players will not make the same mistakes again. We’ll be more resilient.”
Gavilan used the bye week to insure that almost all of the squad members are healthy for league play. Defensive tackle Leonard Pinon may not be cleared for the DeAnza game because of a knee injury, although Lango expected Pinon available either today or next week.
Bradley Niles, who missed the past two Gavilan games, will be ready for the DeAnza game at linebacker, allowing Tony Beal to return to defensive end from a linebacker spot.
Lango added that El Ray Henry, who rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries against DeAnza last fall, is healthy. Both quarterbacks are prepared for action, with Will Kilday named the starter.
“This is going to be a battle,” Lango said of the DeAnza test. “Anybody in the Coast Conference can win. DeAnza really likes to run the football, although they’ll all of a sudden go with an empty backfield and throw five receivers at you once in a while. Johnathon Garfield is their starting quarterback, but they’ll put Mike Silva in sometimes and he’s an exceptional athlete.”
Mitchell tabbed defensive end Jason Macciola (6-4, 245 pounds) and safety Vernis James (6-2, 190) as his top defenders.
“Gavilan blitzes alot, but we like to play teams that blitz,” said Mitchell.
“We’ve got some good backs, but we’re certainly facing one in Henry.”
Mitchell added that the Dons need to be focused for 60 minutes to be able to top the Rams.
“We’ve had a little trouble with focus. In our last game we fell behind 27-7 to Los Medanos, tied it at 27-27 before losing in the final minute on a field goal. To beat Gavilan, you have to play well from wire to wire.”
