Last year, Gilroy’s varsity football team missed the playoffs by
one game. A 29-21 defeat to San Benito ended the season on a sour
note, leaving the Mustangs with a 4-6 record and a
middle-of-the-road finish in the Tri-County Athletic League.
Last year, Gilroy’s varsity football team missed the playoffs by one game. A 29-21 defeat to San Benito ended the season on a sour note, leaving the Mustangs with a 4-6 record and a middle-of-the-road finish in the Tri-County Athletic League.
Now, Gilroy is the toast of the TCAL, winning its last seven games to finish 8-2 and achieve its first outright league title since 1981. Under Rich Hammond, who is in his second year as head coach, the team is winning more than it has in two decades. And while the coach can be heard screaming during practices from different ends of campus, just about every player on the roster will admit they’re having more fun playing football than a year ago.
“It’s a lot more fun,” said senior running back Travis Reyes. “The whole team, especially on offense, is contributing. It’s not just one guy. There are a lot of people on this team who have been the main guy, and for people to put things aside has been good for everyone.”
Reyes has the stats to back up such a claim.
Quarterback Jamie Jensen has utilized Hammond’s spread attack to distribute 3,280 passing yards amongst 10 different receivers this season, with six of those players totaling more than 200 yards each.
This season has been more fun and “it’s a by-product of winning,” Hammond said. “And the other thing is the offense is more fun. When more guys are contributing to winning it’s always a lot more fun.”
On defense, the Mustangs have been able to stay fresh by platooning players to one side of the ball – meaning no one plays both ways consistently. The result has been more playing time for more players. There are also a handful of athletes getting on the field for special teams.
Hammond estimates that 35 Mustangs have seen solid playing time on the field due to the platoon system and players stepping in due to injuries. The result has been a greater emphasis on team. And when a team wins in football, there’s almost nothing to feel bad about.
“I would say it’s definitely (more fun),” said defensive tackle Jeremy Sabla. “People are more like brothers up here, more focused on winning than just having fun. People are more focused on working hard and who can get the job done.”
One player that has a unique perspective is junior receiver Lelan Gettys. Also contributing on special teams, Gettys came to Gilroy this year after attending Mt. Pleasant. While his role has been somewhat reduced after being named the Most Valuable Player of his junior varsity team a season ago, the newcomer said the change was drastic, and for the better.
“It’s a lot different from the school I came from because we weren’t as disciplined,” Gettys said. “I never thought I’d go to CCS because it was 10 games and done at Mt. Pleasant.”
Gettys, along with the majority of the roster, will be playing in his first career postseason game Saturday against Valley Christian at 7 p.m.
For senior receiver Marshad Johnson, who had good friends that graduated from last year’s team, there’s one obvious reason why 2007 has been the most enjoyable season of football in his life.
“This year’s more fun,” he said, “because I’m a senior, and you always want to go out on a good note.”
