Special to the Town Crier
Prep Football Digest
Homestead stumbles
The Gunn High football program has had to endure a rough road the past 28 years without a league title or Central Coast Section playoff appearance. But the Titans made a major statement last Friday night with a key win that could vault them to a memorable season.
Gunn convincingly defeated cross-town rival Palo Alto 21-6 in a non-league contest at Foothill College in Los Altos. This marked the Titans' first win over the Vikings since 1986. The victory gives Gunn (1-0 division, 3-2 overall) a full load of momentum when it faces struggling Los Altos (0-1, 1-4) in an SCVAL El Camino Division match-up at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at Foothill.
"The win over Paly was long overdue and was a good win for us," said Gunn coach Jeff Remington, who in 1997 guided Gunn to its first winning season in 26 years. "We need to stay focused and we still have a lot to prove."
Gunn dominated Paly (1-4) in every facet. The Titans out-gained the Vikings 357 yards to 144 and executed its Wing-T offense to the tune of 321 yards rushing with just one turnover. Junior wingback Ryan Hayes and senior fullback Lei Likio led Gunn with 122 and 101 yards rushing, respectively.
After Paly jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead 15 seconds into the game, the Titans retaliated on a 43-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Justin Silverman and added a Likio 8-yard scoring run for a 14-6 halftime lead. Likio added the finishing touches late in the fourth quarter with a 13-yard touchdown run and the Titans' defense kept the Vikings' offense in check.
Senior inside linebacker Rex Finato led the Gunn defense with 16 tackles, eight of them solos.
Homestead produced a gutsy effort, but fell short to Monta Vista, 28-20, in an SCVAL De Anza Division contest last Friday night at Fremont High.
The Mustangs (0-2, 2-3) trailed just 15-14 entering the fourth quarter, then saw themselves down 22-14. But they cut the Matadors' lead to 22-20 after Homestead senior running back Darrell Turner scored on a 74-yard touchdown run. Homestead would get no closer, though as Monta Vista (1-1, 3-2) added a late touchdown to ice the game.
Turner led the Mustangs with 117 yards rushing on only eight carries.
Homestead will attempt to get back on track in a non-league game against host Fremont (1-4) at 6:15 p.m., Friday.