GAVILAN RAMS
Record: 2-4 overall, 0-3 in Golden Coast League
Last week: Gavilan lost 61-35 to Cabrillo on the road.
Next up: The Rams will host Merced at 5 p.m. Oct. 25. The Blue Devils beat Monterey 27-20 last week. They are 3-3 overall, 2-0 in league play.
On offense: The Rams lost starting QB Drew Fryhoff to injury in the fourth quarter and have questions on whether he’ll be ready for this week’s game. Fryhoff (11-20, 141 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions) was replaced by back-up Sterling Montgomery who went 7 for 8 for 114 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Gavilan turned the ball over six times against the Seahawks, two of which turned into scores for the hosts. Deniko Carter put up good numbers for Gavilan, picking up seven receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams need to do a better job with ball protection to prevent Merced from getting easy points.
On defense: The Blue Devils have been pretty successful on the ground this year, amassing 1,184 yards through six games. Gavilan will need to keep a handle on Josh Stevens, Merced’s strong back who has 639 yards so far and is averaging 106.5 yards per game. He racked up 182 yards against Monterey and scored a touchdown. If the Rams can force Merced to take to the air, which it seems to be less comfortable doing, they will have a shot at containing this offense.
Keys to the game: Coach Spencer Gilford has said all season that the team that makes less mistakes will be the one that wins the game. Gavilan needs to do a better job protecting the ball and limit its turnovers. The Rams also 11 penalties which cost them 108 yards, something they can’t afford against Merced this week.
