GILROY — Garcia-Elder Sports Complex was all but empty following Gilroy’s game with North Salinas. The fans had cleared out, both teams made their ways to the lockerroom. But for one final time, senior running back Brandon Boyd took a knee at midfield, reflecting on “G” that represents Gilroy and everything he’s fought so hard for the last four years.
It was the last time Boyd and his 19 senior teammates would walk off their home field as the Mustangs season came to an end Friday night with a 54-24 loss to North Salinas.
“I thought we fought ‘til the very end,” Boyd said. “I’m proud of the guys for this season. It’s the most wins we’ve gotten since I’ve been here, which I’m really proud of.
“This team was something different — we never gave up like the teams in the past. I just really was glad I was apart of it.”
The Mustangs, who finishes the season 5-5 overall, never once put their heads down. Even when trailing by 38 points, they continued to fight just as they have all season.
With just seven minutes left to play, the Vikings had a comfortable 54-16 lead over the home team. But then, as he had done so many times this season, Boyd broke free for a 54-yard run to the endzone, his last touchdown of his high school career.
Boyd finished with 13 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns to bring his season total to 2,238 yards and 32 touchdowns this season.
“I think I improved as a player and the team, too,” the senior captain said. “We weren’t getting killed, we never gave up, we just came out and did our thing.”
The Mustangs had just a 33 percent chance of making the playoffs, but they had to do win in order to get in — and Aragon and Saratoga had to lose. Unfortunately for Gilroy, Aragon was able to pull out a stunning 43-41 win over West Hills, punching its ticket to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“It’s a little emotional because it’s my last game and we’re not able to make it to CCS,” senior captain Isaiah Madalora said. “But I’m proud of my boys because they fought all the way til’ the end. …A lot of people doubted us and we were underestimated most of our games, but we fought in all our games and ended up a .500 team.”
Gilroy was able to get on the board off a 49-yard pass from Bubba Lara to Emilo Chambers, followed by an Alex Vega to Chambers 2-point conversion with just under two minutes to play in the first half.
North Salinas, on the other hand, secured itself a playoff berth and celebrated with a Gatorade bath for head coach Steven Zenk after the game.
The Vikings were held to just one touchdown in the first quarter, but were able to open the flood gates in the second.
Quarterback Justyn Gutierrez found the endzone three times in the second quarter, hitting Randy Ivey twice for 32 and 13 yards and keeping the ball for a 1-yard push. Josh Wilson also had an 18-yard touchdown for North Salinas, putting them ahead 28-8 at the half.
Guiterrez finished 12 for 17 for 258 yards and four touchdowns in addition to seven carries for 27 yards and a touchdown.
The Mustangs season may be over, but the future is bright.
Despite rumors that he wouldn’t be returning following his son’s graduation, Gilroy coach Brian Boyd assured his team after the game that he would indeed be back next season.
Joining him will be a core of standout sophomores and juniors that were vital to Gilroy’s success this season. Players like quarterback David Munoz, wide receiver Riley Filice-Hollar and linemen Elijah Floyd and Darius Alexander-Jones.
“A lot of people thought I was here for one reason and I’m not,” Brian Boyd said. “I’m not here for one reason, I had 37 reasons to be here this year. …My goal was to change this football program and I knew it wasn’t going to happen right away — it’s baby steps. Slowly, I am. It’s going to work.”
A lot of people thought I was here for one reason and I’m not. I’m not here for one reason, I had 37 reasons to be here this year.”
