Rams Hammer Chabot Gladiators 38-14
By Eric Bean
Sparked by a high-powered offense, the City College Rams beat-down the Chabot Gladiators 38-14 on Nov, 5 at George M. Rush Stadium.
Led by Quarterback Zach Miller who passed for 161 yards, the Rams scored three offensive touchdowns and one field goal. The special teams and the defense added to the scoring punch with one TD each.
Coming into the game City College was sitting at five wins with three losses on the season, but after today’s victory, with only one loss in the National Bay 6 League, they sit tied with San Mateo and Laney for first place.
While enduring a foggy and rainy setting, the Rams came out swinging when special teamer Trey Cain scored a TD off of a blocked punt by Mathew Eskridge II. Then Miller orchestrated a nine-play, 52 yard drive culminating in a 9-yard TD pass to Wide-Receiver David Pierro. And, with just over 6 minutes left in the first quarter, Cornerback Dillon Camp put the Rams up 21-0 with a 31-yard pick six.
After the Rams 21-0 start, Chabot’s defense was able to keep the Rams from scoring again in the first half. Chabot was finally able to get on the scoreboard thanks to an interception of a Rams pass play — Miller’s only interception of the day.
With 12:11 in the second period Chabot Quarterback Zach Taylor-Smith led the Gladiators on a 4-play, 40-yard scoring drive ending with a quarterback sneak at the goal line for their first of only two scores on the day and a 21-7 deficit.
But, the Rams defense would keep them out of the endzone for the remainder of the day, except for one last TD from Smith to Wide-Receiver Jeremiah Crumb for a spectacular 66-yard pass.
The Rams defense would go on to pick off five more passes for a total of six, with three going to freshman Dillon Camp.
After today’s game the defense has recovered nine fumbles and grabbed nine interceptions for a total of 18 turnovers on the season. If the defense and special teams can keep up this kind of momentum heading into the final game of the season against San Mateo, it could lead to another championship run. The game ball goes to the defense who play-by-play commentator Chris Babcock coined the “Red Sea.”
The Chabot Gladiators came into the game giving up a total of 215 yards per game to opposing offenses and that didn’t change much during this route either. Although they did show some life here and there it wasn’t enough to prevent Miller from passing for 161 yards on the day, hitting three different receivers — Daelin DeGraffenreid, Ryan Daly and David Piero — for a total of three passing TD’s on the day.
Chabot also had a hard time stopping Rams offensive and special teams standout Tyrei Washington, as he rushed nine times for 53 yards and returned two kickoffs for a total of 87 yards, all of which inevitably put the Rams in scoring situations.
At halftime the Rams lead Chabot 21-7, but the Rams kept their foot on the gas in the third period with a 10-play, 54-yard drive ending with the 9-yard TD pass from Miller to Ryan Daly. Another drive was a 4-play, 60-yard drive culminating in the 33-yard TD pass from Miller to Daelin Degraffenreid, resulting in another 14 points for the Rams offense. Ultimately, they would tack on a field goal in the fourth quarter to wrap this one up at 38-14.
Up next for the Rams is a division showdown. Two teams tied for first place, with only one loss each in divisional play.
The 6-3, 3-1 Rams hope to retain league champ status as they host the San Mateo Bulldogs who are 8-1, 3-1.The game will be at George M. Rush Stadium on Sat., Nov. 12.
With a victory, the Rams improve their chance to compete for state championship beginning with the Northern California Playoffs the following week.