College of the Redwoods scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to down Gavilan College 32-31 on Saturday.
“We weren’t focused enough to finish and let them back in,” head coach Spencer Gilford said. “You can never take team lightly and we have to learn how to finish the game.”
The Rams (1-3) put themselves in position to kick a game-winning field goal at the end of the game, but that effort was blocked.
Redwoods also blocked a punt for a touchdown late in the third quarter. That moved Redwoods to within five points at 31-26.
“We need to shore up our special teams,” Gilford said. “I’m disappointed in our lack of execution.”
A late fourth quarter touchdown on a trick-play-double pass from Sonny Ryles to Aubrey Reed put Redwoods (2-2) ahead 32-31.
“Hopefully we can learn from these mistakes and put it toward next week,” Gilford said.
Gavilan quarterback Omar Kharroub (20-of-33, 211 yards) threw two of his three touchdown passes in the first half – a 34-yard connection to Marcus Harrell and an 18-yard play to Danny Maiello.
Jeff Smith had an interception turned 30-yard touchdown ad the Rams took a 21-14 lead into halftime.
Harrell (eight catches, 177 yards) hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass and Dominic Changco converted a 25-yard field goal to lift Gavilan to its 31-14 advantage.
NOTES: Donovan Weatherspoon rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries…William Lee had two sacks and Shawn Paul had one…Jose Sanchez also had an interception for the Rams.
