Varsity Football fell to Gunn High School 19-6 on Friday, Sept. 12. The team came off a 34-6 win against Andrew Hill High School during its first week and an automatic win against James Lick High School due to a forfeit in its second week. With high energy coming into this game, senior and running back Rocco Ling scored the first touchdown, bringing the score to 6-0 within the first five minutes. However, GHS gained momentum on the offensive side, scoring a touchdown in response and another to end the first quarter at 13-6.
In the second and third quarters, the teams did not put any points on the board due to strong defense on both sides. Senior and linebacker Christopher Lamfalusi applauded the team’s defense, emphasizing how it was especially strong in this game.
“I think most of the game we were playing really strong,” Lamfalusi said. “We were getting yards, and our defense was strong on a couple of drives, but we made a couple interceptions and turnovers, which caught up to us at the end of the game.”
However, Lamfalusi notes that the team needs to focus on offense as it heads into the next week of practice by throwing, catching and running routes quicker. With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, MVHS fumbled the ball at midfield, giving GHS possession with a minute left. GHS proceeded to score another touchdown to seal the game at 19-6.
Receivers, defensive back and special teams coach Raymond Torres says the team started off strong, but as the game progressed, it was difficult for them to maintain momentum, noting the mental mistakes and personal issues that arose.
“It was a tough one,” Torres said. “We had some guys go down and some guys have to step into roles that they’re not 100% used to, but that’s football, you just have to be ready for that. I think it’s all things that are fixable. We just got to go back to the drawing board and really work on our stuff. It’s all about the fundamentals.”
