GILROY – In what was by far its most complete game of the
season, the Gilroy High football team scored touchdowns on offense,
defense, and special teams in a 53-27 triumph over North Salinas on
Senior Night in Gilroy.
GILROY – In what was by far its most complete game of the season, the Gilroy High football team scored touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams in a 53-27 triumph over North Salinas on Senior Night in Gilroy.
“For me this was pretty epic,” said a smiling senior wide receiver Jordan Mitchell.
The Mustangs (3-5-1, 2-2-1) came out with an extra bounce in their step and an intensity that has been lacking for a majority of the season. Friday night, however, the home team found its groove and delivered in all facets of the game.
“We came out to play, we executed and capitalized on the momentum,” head coach Greg Garcia said. “Everything went in our favor tonight.”
With North Salinas (3-6, 2-3) pinned back inside its own 15-yard line, the Mustangs’ special teams set the tone early in the first quarter when senior Adrian Melendez came free off of the corner to block a Vikings’ punt. Julius Travis was the beneficiary, scooping up the bouncing ball for a 2-yard touchdown.
The Vikings responded on their ensuing drive, traveling 62 yards in five plays, a bulk of which came on a 33-yard scoring scamper by Mikey Benabides. The run tied the game at 7-7, where it stood as the quarter expired.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, the Mustangs exploded in the second quarter, scoring three times to open up a 25-7 halftime advantage.
The Mustangs’ offense began to take form, as they mixed power running with some tactical underneath passing plays.
The second period belonged to senior Tommy Silvas and the offensive line.
Silvas capped a nine-play, 48-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run as he lowered his head and plowed through the Vikings’ defensive front.
The Mustangs pulled off a well-executed pooch kick, catching the Vikings off guard, recovering the free ball on the Vikings’ 34-yard line.
Silvas banged his way into the end zone seven plays later to put the Mustangs up 19-7 after a failed 2-point attempt.
“All I have to say is ‘O-line,'” Silvas said. “I ran the ball how I always do but those holes were just huge tonight.”
Silvas carried the ball 15 times in the first half, smashing his way for 94 yards and two scores. He finished the contest with 119 yards rushing.
The Mustangs finished their first-half scoring spree with a Nick Marra-to-Thomas Harrington 10-yard touchdown with 39 seconds left before the break.
“It was nice,” Garcia simply stated about his team’s halftime lead.
After surrendering a Marquis Brooks 9-yard rushing score to open up the third quarter and bring the Vikings to within 10 at 25-15, another senior quickly turned the momentum back on the Mustangs sideline.
Jordan Holler returned the following kickoff 42 yards to the Vikings’ 45-yard line. Three plays later, Holler finished what he started, turning a short pass reception from Marra into a 34-yard touchdown, breaking would-be leg tackles along the way.
In a game that had one exciting play after the other, what occurred on the Vikings next possession sent the crowd to its feet.
A Mustang defender came unblocked on a blitz and lowered his shoulder into Vikings’ quarterback Curt Ceralde forcing a fumble. Johnny-on-the-spot this time was Melendez who picked up the ball and headed toward the end zone. Aware that he was about to be tackled, Melendez lateraled the ball to Romeo Travis who took it the remaining 45 yards for the score to put the Mustangs up 39-15.
The fireworks continued into the fourth quarter as the Mustangs’ deliberate attempt to run the ball opened up a lethal passing attack. Marra hit Julius Travis on a 40-yard go route with just under 11 minutes remaining in the game, then followed with a 62-yard touchdown completion to Mitchell to close out the Mustangs’ scoring with eight minutes to play.
“We wanted to get after it and set a mentality to be more physical,” said assistant coach Steven Lo, who called some of the offensive plays. “We wanted to simplify (the offense) a little bit and open the doors for some bigger plays.”
Marra finished the night 13-of-18 for 178 yards and four touchdowns.
The win puts the Mustangs in an ideal position in regard to the Central Coast Section playoffs. A loss Friday would have ended any shot, but the win leaves the door open.
The Mustangs travel to Hollister next week to take on San Benito in the Prune Bowl. The Haybalers lost a heartbreaker to Palma on Friday, 24-23. The Mustangs have been victorious in the previous two match ups.
“They are going to be hungry,” Garcia said of the rival Balers. “You never know how a rivalry game will go.”
