The Gavilan Rams rallied to a 14-13 fourth-quarter lead before faltering in the final eight minutes to drop a 21-14 non-conference decision to the visiting American River Beavers.
The loss at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex left the Rams at 1-1 going into Saturday night's date with the Cabrillo Seahawks in Aptos.
The Beavers (2-0) snapped a 7-7 intermission tie when Luke Cook found Stefon Ceasar behind the Rams defense for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 10:53 left in the game. The point-after kick was blocked, leaving the Beavers up 13-7 and kicking off from their own 15 because of a dead-ball penalty.
Gavilan responded with a 52-yard kick-off return by freshman speedster Arthur Pittman. A horse-collar tackle added five yards for the Rams, setting up a first-and-goal at the American River five. Sophomore quarterback Nick Kalantari bulled over on a one-yard sneak on second down for the 13-13 tie with 9:58 to play. Michael Blewett's point-after boot made it a 14-13 Ram lead.
American River came right back to regain the lead with 7:25 left. Ceasar zipped to a 37-yard kick-off return to the Ram 43. Gavilan was whistled for a personal foul on the return, setting the Beavers up at the Ram 28.
Cook spotted wide-out David Weld open for a 19-yard pass play to the Ram four. On third-and-goal at the one, the Beavers nixed the run and let Cook fire a quick strike to Jermaine Cox for the winning pass in the right front corner of the end zone. Cook's two-point PAT pass to Weld finished the scoring with the Beavers in control at 21-14.
"Gavilan was impressive," said American River coach Jim Haflich.
"Their running backs rushed hard and I still don't think we've caught number 11 (Connor Farotte) yet. Offensively, we're young but we made some adjustments in the second half and were able to score enough points for the win."
"Defensively, we played really well," said Gavilan coach John Lango. "We came up with two interceptions. Taylor Micali (linebacker) had a very solid game. American River hurt us with that one-play series, scoring on that seam route to take the lead. We were able to come right back to score. Both quarterbacks did some good things. Kalantari runs the offense well and Farotte gives us a running threat."
Both teams were able to put seven points on the scoreboard in the first half.
American River needed six offensive series to take a 7-0 lead.
The Beavers blocked a Kalantari punt at the Ram 48 with 7:47 left in the second quarter. The visitors needed seven plays to cover the 48 yards to paydirt. A Cook 21-yard pass to Weld on third-and-six keyed the drive. Facing a second-and-nine at the Ram 10, Ricky Abernathy sped around the right side before fumbling the ball at the one. Weld was able to pounce on the ball in the end zone for the game's first points. Ryan Williams added the PAT for the 7-0 cushion.
Gavilan took the next kick-off and turned nine plays into a 7-7 deadlock. Matt Perkins broke loose for a 21-yard run to ignite the drive. Farotte darted for 17 yards and a first down off a third-and-15 play. After a Beaver penalty moved the ball to the five, Farotte shook off a potential sack and whipped a sidearm pass to Perkins at the goal line for the six-pointer with one minute left in the half. Blewett tied the score with the PAT kick.
Farotte was the leading rusher for the game with 46 yards on seven tries. Kalantari covered 90 yards on a 6-of-24 passing effort. Farotte added 28 yards in a 5-for-14 showing through the air.
Penalties again hurt both clubs. Gavilan was called for 15 penalties worth 155 yards, the Beavers 16 whistles for 161 yards.
GAVILAN VOLLEYBALL
Bouncing back from a first-round defeat to Feather River in three sets, the Gavilan women's volleyball team responded by winning two matches in a row to advance to the consolation finals at the Delta Classic in Stockton on Saturday.
The Lady Rams fell short in a close contest against Butte in the final, though, ending their tournament at 2-2 while keeping their record a game over .500 at 5-4.
Gavilan defeated San Francisco City and Yuba College to face Butte.
Bob Burch Bob Burch covers sports for South Valley Newspapers.
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Best in the bus business, again
