Mustangs rush for 409 yards in 36-14 triumph over Salinas in
TCAL opener
Gilroy – Gilroy’s football team was on the run Friday night at Garcia-Elder Complex.
The Mustangs didn’t stop running until they had accumulated 409 yards on the ground. They ran past Salinas 36-14 in the Tri-County Athletic League opener for both teams.
Paul Gonzales had a career game with 183 yards and four touchdowns, but this was far from a one-man show as GHS halted a three-game losing streak. Danny Contreras surpassed his season rushing total on just one carry with a spectacular 84-yard touchdown that broke a 14-14 tie with 3:07 left in the third quarter.
It came at a crucial time for Gilroy, which was backed up at its own 2 after a 55-yard Chris Pinto punt. Gonzales got the Mustangs out of the hole with runs of 2 and 12 yards before Contreras circled left end and outraced the Cowboys’ defenders. Contreras finished with 159 yards on 11 carries, and also blocked a Pinto field goal attempt.
“I’m really happy for him,” Gonzales said of Contreras. “It’s about time he gets the glory. He’s a hard-working player and I’m so happy it paid off for him.”
But it was Gonzales who Salinas coach Steve Goodbody couldn’t say enough positive things about after the game.
“He’s a heck of a ballplayer,” Goodbody said. “He has great cutback ability and a lot of strength. He broke tackles well. We were aware of his abilities, that he is the crux of their offense.”
There more to the Mustangs (2-3) than Gonzales. Frank Subia had two interceptions and Ryan Costa had another. Vince Giacalone and Edward Valdez had big gainers on third-down plays to keep drives alive. Giacalone also had tackles for losses of 9 and 12 yards, and Tyler Maslanka and Hunter Collins each had a quarterback sack. And the offensive line was solid all game.
“We were pumped,” Giacalone said. “That’s the best team effort I have ever been around. Every player was ready to play, which I have never seen before. There may have been 15 players who made big plays.”
The first 2 1/2 quarters were much like the Mustangs opener with Burlingame. Gonzales’ 2-yard run capped a 7-play, 58-yard opening-quarter drive. Salinas (1-3) scored on the opening play of the second quarter when workhorse running back Andrew Russo (23 carries for 125 yards) broke two tackles on a 50-yard run,
Gilroy grabbed a 14-7 halftime lead when Contreras’ 46-yard run was the big play in an 82-yard drive. It was capped by Gonzales’ 3-yard TD run.
The Cowboys took the second-half kickoff and went 65 yards, scoring on a Michael Sisson to Armand McKenzie 5-yard pass play.
“That was where I was worried most,” GHS coach Rich Hammond said, “when they took the second-half kickoff and scored. After that we responded with a lot of resolve. Instead of getting down, our guys picked things up. The offensive line blocked sensational. Everyone was making plays.”
And the Mustangs were in full gallop. They kept it up until they had run the Cowboys out of Garcia-Elder Complex.
JV: Donte Fullard scored two touchdowns as the Gilroy JVs rebounded from last week’s loss to Serra by whipping Salinas 35-6. Ryan Brown intercepted a Cowboys’ pitch out and returned it for a touchdown as the Junior Mustangs extended their overall record to 4-1.
