Coach John Lango has had several weeks to evaluate this year’s
football schedule for the Gavilan Rams. Tonight’s home date with
the Modesto College Pirates figures to be the first of several
contests in which the Rams will assume the role of the
underdog.
Gilroy – Coach John Lango has had several weeks to evaluate this year’s football schedule for the Gavilan Rams. Tonight’s home date with the Modesto College Pirates figures to be the first of several contests in which the Rams will assume the role of the underdog.
“This is a good test for us,” said Lango of the 7pm test at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex at Gilroy High School.
After a 27-14 victory over the College of Marin last Saturday, the Rams will need more than the nine first downs they generated by either rushing or passing in the opener when the Pirates show up tonight.
“Modesto should be a favorite,” said Lango. “Modesto was in the top 25 in the state before last weekend (a 40-21 loss to San Joaquin Delta). They are as good as last year (a 43-12 winner over Gavilan) so the bar’s raised pretty high. Other the College of Sequoias, Modesto’s our toughest opponent in pre-Coast Conference games.”
Coach Sam Young began his stint as head coach of Modesto the same season (2000) that Lango assumed the reins at Gavilan.
The Pirates feature sophomore quarterback Chad Draper, who followed a 2,500-yard passing effort in 2006 with a 16-for-28 night for 189 yards against Delta. Young employs three different rushers in a one-back offense. When Young looks to control the ball, he utilizes 260-pound Steve Ortega. Slotback Marquell Colston, who raced to a 22-yard touchdown against Delta, often plays tailback to give Modesto a speedy alternative.
“We have 20 sophomores, so we do have some experience,” Young added.
“Our linebackers are the strength of our defense, including inside linebackers Dylan Miller and Eddie Abbasi.”
A member of the highly rated Golden Gate Conference, Modesto trailed Delta 23-21 before being blanked in the second half.
“Although we played a really good Delta team, we feel we under-achieved,” Young said. “We gave up over 500 yards and made only 300 yards. We’re hungry for a win. We know that the home team has an advantage and it’s not easy going on the road. We expect a very physical game with Gavilan. They always play good defense.”
“We have to keep the score down, control the clock on offense,” countered Lango. “We have to play our ‘A’ game, eliminate turnovers. Playing Modesto right now is right for us. We need to play a Modesto-type team.”
