Rams fall to Hartnell in rivalry game

Hartnell had two 100-yard rushers against Gavilan en route to a 44-14 win at Gilroy High School Saturday.
The Rams (2-3) have now dropped three straight as they enter their bye-week.
The Panthers, meanwhile, improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Golden Coast Conference.
Sherrod Hawkes had 191 yards rushing with three touchdowns with Jarrett Banks adding 111 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns.
“They’re great players and well coached,” said Gavilan coach Mike Dovenberg. “Their offensive line played phenomenal. They are a very good football program.”
Gavilan, meanwhile, lost its starting quarterback on the fourth play from scrimmage as Kenny Dipko re-aggravated an injury suffered against LMC two weeks ago.
Freshman RJ Clark stepped in and was solid with 83 yards passing and a touchdown, adding 46 yards on the ground with a TD.
“He’s going to continue to make progress. He’s a gutsy kid. He’s got a lot of room grow but he’s going to have a bright future here,” Dovenberg said.
Gavilan struggled early to get its offense rolling, but found some success with direct snaps and option plays that got things rolling in the second half.
The Rams’ first touchdown came in the third quarter, going on an 82-yard drive that saw Adam Garza and Ryan Reynolds taking the bulk of the load that ultimately led to Clark punching it in from seven yards out.
Clark late scored in the fourth quarter when he hit a wide open Reynolds for a 33-yard touchdown pass.
The game started off like it would be a defensive struggle with both teams forced to punt on their opening drives.
Hartnell then went on a 71-yard drive that ended when Dorion Isaak fumbled on the Gavilan 8.
Tim Hackney recovered the loose ball but the Rams couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. From there Hartnell went on to score on their next three possessions with quarterback Isaak hitting Elisha Peat for a 28-yard TD and an 8-0 lead after a penalty gave the Panthers a look at a two-point play.
Banks made the game 15-0 with an eight-yard run to cap a 69-yard drive.
Hawkes then had the longest run of the game, breaking free for a 52-yard scamper for a 23-0 lead in the second quarter.
Still Gavilan found ways to give itself a chance. Teddy Wesley came away with an interception with Hartnell threatening from the Rams’ 26 yardline.
But the offense continued to struggle, giving the ball back to the panthers after stalling at midfield when Banks capped a 79-yard drive with a one-yard run for a 30-0 lead at halftime.
Gavilan got off to a hot start in the second half going 82 yards with Clark scoring on his seven-yard run.
But Hartnell answered immediately with Hawkes going for six yards to go back up by 30.
He later got his third TD on a seven-yard run for a 44-7 lead that effectively put the game away.
The Rams next will next travel to Reedley on Oct. 15 after a bye this week followed by Mendocino on the road on Oct. 22.