GILROY
–– Gavilan’s schedule of road games concludes Saturday when the
Rams take on pass-happy Monterey Peninsula College in a 6 p.m.
Coast Conference football contest on the Lobos’ turf.
Coach John Lango’s Rams take a 1-1 conference mark against 0-2
Monterey Peninsula College. Gavilan (3-5 overall) completes the
regular season at home to Cabrillo Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
By BOB BURCH
GILROY –– Gavilan’s schedule of road games concludes Saturday when the Rams take on pass-happy Monterey Peninsula College in a 6 p.m. Coast Conference football contest on the Lobos’ turf.
Coach John Lango’s Rams take a 1-1 conference mark against 0-2 Monterey Peninsula College. Gavilan (3-5 overall) completes the regular season at home to Cabrillo Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
“Overlook Monterey? No, because we’ve worked so hard that we won’t overlook anybody,” responded Lango to the potential letdown against a 1-7 team.
“Monterey has a good offense, with one of the best all-purpose players in the state in Brian Chambers. He’s shifty, leads the conference in receiving, and is a great kick-off and punt returner.”
Chambers, a sophomore out of Monterey High, leads the conference with 64 catches worth 633 yards and four touchdowns.
Quarterback Korey Hendrix dominates the conference passing statistics with 18 touchdowns, 1785 yards and 141 completions. Gavilan’s Patrick Ames is second in the conference in each category with five TDs, 1136 yards and 84 completions.
“We try to run a balanced offense,” said Monterey Peninsula coach Mike Rasmussen. “Our tailback (Anthony Reyes) has several 100-yard games. We’re similar to Gavilan in a lot of ways. Gavilan has an exceptional running back, two outstanding receivers and two real good quarterbacks.”
The Lobos dropped a 22-21 decision last weekend, while Gavilan suffered a 21-14 setback to Hartnell.
The Lobo defense is rated fifth (last) in the conference after allowing an average of 467 yards per outing. Rasmussen tabbed defensive end Shawn Coppeck (6-2, 240) as his top defender.
Gavilan has allowed yardage at a 348 clip. Monterey Peninsula College counters with the conference-best offensive showing with a 373-yard per game average. The Rams are fourth with a 271-yard average.
“We need to have a good ball control offense to keep the MPC offense off the field,” Lango said.
El Ray Henry is coming off his fourth 100-plus yard effort for the Rams. Ted Mason became the fourth Gavilan receiver to surpass 800 yards, taking his 805 mark into the final two games.
