GILROY Two teams with identical 0-2 Coast Conference marks
collide Saturday at 7pm at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex when the
DeAnza Dons test the host Gavilan College Rams.
GILROY
Two teams with identical 0-2 Coast Conference marks collide Saturday at 7pm at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex when the DeAnza Dons test the host Gavilan College Rams.
Coach John Lango’s Rams have a specific challenge when seeking a third victory this season: stop Chantz Staden.
The DeAnza running back and pass receiver dominates the scoring race in California with 98 points in eight games. Staden is also third in the state in all-purpose yards. Staden has rushed for 500 yards, caught 44 balls for 741 yards and seven TDs, added 85 yards on punt returns and 190 returning kick-offs.
If Staden is contained, the Dons can still cover extensive yardage when quarterback Daniel Cruz throws to receiver Arvell Thompson, owner of 32 catches worth 549 yards and six touchdowns.
“We’re going to have to match DeAnza score for score,” Lango said of the probable high-scoring game.
DeAnza dropped a 52-40 decision to 3-0 Cabrillo two weeks ago.
“We killed ourselves with mistakes,” said DeAnza coach Dan Atencio. “We fumbled seven times, losing the ball four times. Three turnovers were run back for touchdowns.”
Atencio was Gavilan’s head coach in 1998-9 and had Lango on his staff.
“Gavilan’s going to be the same type team the school’s always had,” said Atencio. “They are well-coached, play hard and never give up.”
Lango believes that the Rams, heading into this weekend’s Homecoming Game, have gotten back into a groove after stumbling following a bye three weeks ago.
“We’ve always said that we need to sustain drives and we believe we’ve improved through practice this week. DeAnza’s so capable of scoring that we need to help our defense by keeping them off the field by sustaining drives.”
Lango noted that Nick Kalantari will be back at starting quarterback. Jeff Weltz suffered a broken collarbone in the loss to Monterey Peninsula College. The state’s leading kick-off returner (45.1 yard average) is out for the rest of the season.
Gavilan completes the season Nov. 10 at home against Cabrillo.
