ACC, Big East don’t deserve automatic BCS bids

The Rams delivered with a 44-30 victory over the Lobos, marking
Gavilan’s first win over MPC in six years
MONTEREY — Gavilan coach John Lango asked for a total team effort when the Rams traveled to Monterey to play the MPC Lobos in a key Coast Conference showdown Saturday night.

The Rams delivered with a 44-30 victory over the Lobos, marking Gavilan’s first win over MPC in six years.

Gavilan’s offense, defense and special teams delivered two touchdowns apiece, lifting the Rams to a 1-1 conference mark heading into this weekend’s homecoming game against the Hartnell Panthers at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex.

“I knew coming in that Monterey wanted to stop our running game and make us pass,” Lango said. The Rams received touchdown catches from Frank Lawson III and Timothy Harvey, both thrown by Mike Incardona.

“We were going to do the same,” Lango said. “Stop their running game and make them beat us through the air.” The result was four interceptions by the Ram secondary, including one for a touchdown.

Special teams play, a problem for Gavilan most of the season, also produced big scores. James Gaynor and Arthur Pittman returned kick-offs for touchdowns. Arthur Velasquez topped the special teams’ effort with a 48-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half.

Although the Rams were able to strike for 44 points, it took less than six minutes for them to fall behind 14-0.

The Lobos’ Zachary Heagar had a 92-yard kick-off return that set up Andrew Russo’s 1-yard touchdown bolt. Five minutes later, Heager burst free for a 14-yard touchdown run.

Gaynor stopped MPC’s momentum by racing 84 yards to paydirt on the ensuing kick-off. The Rams pulled even, 14-14, when Pittman caused a Lobo fumble, and linebacker Alex Berry scooped up the ball and traveled 75 yards to the end zone.

The Lobos threatened with a drive inside Gavilan’s 35-yard line behind freshman quarterback Daniel Connors.

“Monterey came out with a five-receiver set, and we went with a blitz,” Lango said. “The rush caused a quick throw; the receiver wasn’t ready, and Arthur (Pittman) cut in front for the interception.”

Pittman’s first of two touchdowns gave Gavilan a lead — 21-14 — it would not relinquish.

Frank Lawson III slipped behind the MPC secondary to pull in a 53-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-14. After MPC regrouped for a touchdown, Velasquez completed the scoring for the half with a field goal.

Pittman jetted to a 79-yard kick-off return for a touchdown on the opening kick of the second half. MPC earned two points by blocking Ivan Lopez’ extra-point kick, which Nathan Bell recovered and ran 75 yards to cut the deficit to 37-23.

The Lobos finished scoring with a 1-yard sneak by Connors in the third quarter. Harvey made his fourth touchdown catch of the season, a 68-yarder in the fourth quarter that the wideout grabbed at midfield and outraced the secondary.

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