GILROY—Looking at the stats from Gavilan’s game against Yuba, it’s hard to see where it went wrong. The Rams outdid Yuba offensively, racking up 382 yards to the 49ers’ 353. They had more yards in the air—284 to 151—and less penalties, drawing only five flags to Yuba’s 11.
But the 49ers’ defense created opportunities in their 40-24 win. A forced and recovered fumble and a blocked field goal turned into touchdowns that Gavilan just couldn’t match.
But the Rams aren’t worried as they prepare for this week’s match-up with Reedley.
With more than half the team made-up of freshman and a first-year head coach in Mike Dovenberg, Gavilan knew there would be some growing pains. In those, the team has found the silver lining. With each loss, there has been progress.
“We’re a young team and we’ve done a lot of growing up each week,” Dovenberg said. “We’re not where we want to be, but we’re closer.”
Last week, for instance, the team showed improved discipline by drawing just five penalties as opposed to the 17 it saw in Week 1. The Rams also garnered 172 more yards on offense against Yuba than they did in the Week 1 loss to Shasta.
Gavilan has made strides on defense, too. Over three games, the Rams have tallied 21 more tackles than they did in the opener. They had zero sacks against Shasta, but combined for six against Mendocino and Yuba.
“We have a lot to build on,” Dovenberg said. “Yeah, we’re 0-3, but we’ve had a great game by our three phases separately through those games, now we just have to put it together.”
This week the Rams will take on Reedley, which is coming off a 37-28 loss to Contra Costa last week.
Despite the loss, Reedley QB Austin Bray racked up a season-high 313 yards with three touchdowns, but also threw four interceptions. Caleb Horton was Bray’s favorite target, making eight catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Dovenberg said the defense will put the heat on Bray and aims to not allow him to chuck the ball down field.
“We’re going to force them into some situations where hopefully the quarterback is not very comfortable.”
There’s no one aspect of the game the Rams will be relying on, however. The biggest key to success, Dovenberg said, will be the group’s ability to stay united.
“We’ve got a group of guys that believe in each other,” the Rams coach said. “If everybody does their job within their role, I think we’re going to be successful.”
Gavilan (0-3) and Reedley (2-1) square off at 5 p.m. Saturday at Christopher High.
