California races past Geibel
CALIFORNIA – The California Trojans improved their record in the Tri-County South Conference to 2-1 as they ran past the Geibel Gators for a 53-14 win to celebrate their Homecoming Friday night. The Trojans (2-1, 3-3) were without the services of running back Donte Valentino, but more than made up for his absence, rushing for 514-yards on a night where they did not attempt one pass.
Waugh Carter led the attack rushing for 189-yards on six carries and scoring four touchdowns.
The Gators (0-4, 0-4) got a gritty performance from quarterback Mick Belter, as he finished the night rushing for 56 yards and a touchdown, and also passing for 90-yards and another touchdown, connecting with Andrew Jackson on a 64-yard scoring strike.
“You’ve got to give Geibel a lot of credit at the way they hang in there and our kids respect that, “Trojans coach Joe Kuhn said. “Some of our kids that haven’t been playing well in the first part of the year are starting to come on. Carter has normally been a slow starter and is now finding his stride. We have some tough games coming hopefully he can continue that.”
Carter helped set the tone for the game in the first quarter. Geibel kicked off to the Trojans, and recovered an onside kick at the California 42. The Gators were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt.
California took over at its own 10. On their first play from scrimmage Carter took off a 90-yard run to give the Trojans a 6-0 lead. He added two more scoring runs in the quarter, scoring on a three-yard burst, and a 22-yard run.
Teammate Brandon Rossi, who rushed for 105 yards, scored on a 41-yard sprint just before the end of the quarter to give the Trojans a 27-0 lead.
California put up 20 more points in the second quarter, with Carter scoring his last touchdown on the night on a 57-yard run. Adrian Stover then came of the bench to score twice on runs of 23 and 18-yards to increase the California lead to 47-0 at the half.
The Gators managed to get on the board in the third quarter. After forcing the Trojans to punt Geibel took over at their 24. The Gators drove to their 36, when Betler found Jackson on his scoring toss.
“We played a good football team tonight. We made some mistakes but the kids showed a lot of heart,” Gators head coach Angelo Dippolito said. “We trying to learn from our mistakes and hopefully they pay off down the line. I thought my freshman running back did a job and ran hard tonight. I’m not heartbroken, we’ve got to keep coaching and teaching these kids how to play the game.”
The freshman Dippolito referred to was Hudnall “Huddie” Caldwell, who subbed for starter Chris Nickelson and rushed for 49-yards on 12 carries.
California picked up their final points on the night in the third quarter when Mack Brooks scored on a 14-yard run.
The Gators scored their final points in the fourth quarter on a nine-play drive that covered 52-yards ending with Betler’s two-yard scoring run.