Woodburn Independent Online

Gervais ends losing streak with win over Gaston

• By: Garrett Rudolph  
• Published: 9/22/2009 11:02:29 AM

Photo By: Garrett RudolphDoing his part
Quarterback Tony Benavidez threw a pair of touchdowns in Gervais’ 20-14 win over Gaston Sept. 18.

GERVAIS — Gervais football coach Bob Martin couldn’t be more proud of the way his football team prepared for, and performed, in Friday’s 20-14 win over Gaston at Gervais High School.
 
After suffering a 47-8 loss to Santiam in the season opener, the Cougars defense played with a renewed fervor against Gaston (1-1), holding the Greyhounds scoreless for almost three quarters of play, while forcing five turnovers.
 
Martin called it a 180-degree turnaround from the week before.
 
“It was probably the best week of practice I’ve had with the team for a while,” he said. “Everything just started to click and it paid off on Friday night.”
 
Gervais (1-1) took a 7-0 lead heading into halftime, as quarterback Tony Benavidez hooked up with receiver Marady Chhun for a 20-yard score. The duo hooked up once again early in the third quarter, as Chhun broke free for a 70-yard touchdown that put the Cougars up 14-0.
 
The Cougars maintained their momentum on both side of the ball, as running back Marco Martinez capped off their final scoring drive with a 2-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.
 
From there, the Greyhounds began to chip away at the Cougars’ lead, scoring once before the end of the third quarter, and again with 11:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
“When (Gaston) got it to 20-14, in years past they would have scored that touchdown, they would have found a way to beat us, or we would have found a way to lose that game,” said Martin. “This time, we stuck with it, and actually got tougher at the end of the game.”
 
Martin said he challenged the players to step up in the fourth quarter, and they responded. After the Greyhounds scored their second touchdown, the only first downs they could manage were the result of Gervais penalties.
 
Even on two pass interference penalties, Martin said the Gervais players made those mistakes out of hustle, and simply trying to make a play.
 
“We had them covered most of the night,” said Martin. “They never really beat us with the deep ball.”
 
Martin said the Cougars put pressure on the quarterback all night long, but in the final four minutes of the game, Gervais stepped up its defensive effort even more. One of his goals for the team is to own the fourth quarter, physically.
 
“We want the kids to condition hard enough that in the fourth quarter, nobody’s going to be in better shape than we are,” he said.
 
The Gervais defense sealed the win with an interception by Dominic Sanchez — the Cougars’ fourth of the game. Kyle Belleque also had two interceptions, while Chhun had an interception, and Martinez recovered a fumble.
 
Martin also credited linebacker Anthony Medina for having an excellent performance.
Offensively, Martin said there were still plenty of areas that needed improvement, as several long plays were called back for penalties; however the Cougars made plays when they needed to, totaling 100 yards on the ground and 145 yards through the air.
 
Anthony Castaneda led the team with 11 carries for 71 yards rushing, including a 52-yarder. Marady Chhun led the team with four catches for 78 yards, including a pair of touchdowns. Tight end Conner Bowman also had four catches for 67 yards, including three crucial receptions in third down situations.
 
Benavidez was 8 of 13 passing for 145 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
 
While Benavidez played some quarterback last season, Martin said the season opener was a “baptism under fire” as the junior stepped into the starting role in place of Sam Martin, who dislocated the acromioclavicular (AC) joint in his shoulder in the Willamina jamboree, Sept. 4.
 
Martin also pointed out that the team rotated in about 15 players, with several playing the entire game.
 
“We had three or four kids who played true ‘ironman’ football,” said Martin.
 
With 39 total players on the roster, Martin said he has the largest turnout he’s had in his tenure as coach.
 
“It was very rewarding for these kids to get that zero wins off our back,” he continued. “We were very proud of them coming into the game, and of course, even more proud of them after the game.”
 
It was the Cougars’ first win since the 2007, when Gervais defeated a first-year Valley Catholic program.
 
Next week, Gervais travels to Rockaway Beach, to play Neah-Kah-Nie (1-1).

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