Gavilan defeats San Jose City 16-13 to win its Coast Conference
opener
Gilroy – Dennis Bolz clutched the game ball tightly as he walked off the field Saturday at Garcia-Elder Complex.
No way was the Gavilan freshman lineman letting go of this ball. He had just lived every lineman’s dream, even if he had gone against one of the cardinal rules of defense.
With the clock winding down on the game and all likelihood the Rams’ season, San Jose City College was moving toward the goal line. They were already in kicker John Cimino’s range and were perhaps one play away from a game-tying field goal.
But the 6-3 Bolz timed his jump as Duce Ferrante attempted a pass. The intercepted pass preserved a 16-13 pulsating come-from-behind win that gave 2-5 Gavilan a successful start to its Coast Conference season.
“Coach (Brett) Nichols always tells me not to jump,” Bolz said sheepishly. “The ball was in my hands, and then at my stomach.”
It was the second big defensive play involving Bolz that secured a game in which the Rams trailed 13-3 at halftime. A Chris Strait 61-yard kickoff return early in the fourth quarter gave the Jaguars (2-6 overall, 0-2 CC) excellent field position at the Gavilan 22. On 4th and less than 1, Gustavo Valdovinos, Jake Farotte and Bolz teamed up to stop a Ferrante sneak, turning the ball over to the Rams.
“I took out the center and was able to penetrate, and Dennis and Jake knocked back the interior guys,” Valdovinos said. “It was a good stop.”
It was another game-saving play and a gamble that backfired on San Jose City, which was easily in the range of Cimino, who kicked 44- and 26-yard first-half field goals.
“A huge stop,” Gavilan coach John Lango said. “We suited up 29 players, and many were in different positions (than where they started). It feels good walking off the field with a win.”
None could have been happier than Brad Cintas. The sophomore transfer back knew he would be the featured back this week with Art Perkins still sidelined with an injury and Justin Sweeney having quit the team.
“My goal was 120 yards (rushing),” said the 5-11, 210-pound Cintas. “I set it (Friday) in our team meeting. It was a blessing for me to get this opportunity.”
And 120 yards may not have been a realistic figure considering Cintas had never broke the century mark on any level before. His determination was indicative of an outmanned team that came out flat but never allowed the Jaguars to get too far in front.
Cintas rushed for 129 yards on 31 carries, and said he was more than happy to give way to Perkins who is scheduled to return for this week’s game with Monterey Peninsula College.
After Cimino’s field goals gave the Jaguars a 6-0 lead after one quarter, Erik Cifuentes got Gavilan on the board with a 21-yard field goal with 12:24 left in the second quarter. A 3-yard run by Marlon Rosales put SJC ahead 13-3 at halftime.
“I was a little concerned coming back after a bye week,” Lango said. “We played hard but were a little lethargic in the first half. There were not any (physical) adjustments to make. They were character adjustments. We told them you need to pick it up. We came out of the locker with seven minutes left until the start of the second half and they were so fired up and ready to play.”
Anthony Francis’ interception set up a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped when Will Kilday scored from the 1. On their next possession, the Rams went 84 yards with Kilday connecting with Josh Ramirez on an 20-yard scoring play with 13:35 left in the game.
“It’s funny, against Hartnell we played a great first half,” Cintas said. “(Saturday), we did such a good job in the second half. If we can put it together and play two good halves, we can be a real good football team.”
