East County Sports

Griffins step it up in second half

Grossmont College sophomore running back Treyvion Davies. / P.J. Panebianco

2021 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

GROSSMONT 54, ORANGE COAST 23

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS staff writer

COSTA MESA —- Orange Coast College has been division rivals with Grossmont College for years, so in Saturday’s (Oct. 9) first non-conference meeting against the Griffins, the Pirates knew exactly what to do to stay within striking distance.

However, Grossmont College offered its own solution.

Sophomore running back Treyvion Davies accounted for four touchdowns, including three consecutive scores after the Pirates had moved to within 21-16, allowing the Griffins to easily race away to a 54-23 triumph at LeBard Stadium.

The contest was a make-up for a Week 2 contest postponed by OCC because of health concerns regarding COVID-19 protocols.

Davies opened the scoring on a 4-yard run to cap a 72-yard march just 2:17 into the contest, leaving Orange Coast to play catch-up the rest of the afternoon. But when the Pirates inched back to within five points late in the first half, the G-House received an Olympian effort from their talented sophomore.

Davies, who attended Olympian High, dived into the end zone from the OCC-1 with 18 seconds left to make it a 28-16 lead.

After the intermission, Davies collected a pair of scores, bolting 45 yards for a touchdown, then connecting with Griffin quarterback Brady Abt covering on a 22-yard score to push the margin to 41-16.

“I just want to thank God and my O-line and my teammates that were out there blocking,” Davies said. “We keep getting better as an offense and as a team each week.”

For the contest, Davies rushed just six times for 56 yards and three TDs, while collecting six receptions for 74 yards, featuring the 22-yard score. Meanwhile, Abt (23-for-32) threw for 338 yards and three TDs.

The other scoring passes went to Chris Carter (Steele Canyon) who registered a career-high in both receptions (8) and yards (156), and Dylon Gebase, on a 32-yard connection on the first play following a bizarre onsides kickoff by OCC.

On the squib, Grossmont’s Steele return recovered the ball, broke through the OCC line, and rumbled 26 yards before barely getting caught from behind. On the next play, Gebase’s touchdown made it 48-23.

On the next possession, the frustrated Pirates were penalized for roughing the passer. So while Abt regained his breath, he handed the ball to Xavier Hamlett, a reserve cornerback out of Lincoln High, who wanted more playing time. So he got it.

On his third carry of the game (and career), Hamlett busted loose on a 29-yard gallop to the end zone and start an early celebration for the G-House.

The score also gave Grossmont two touchdowns in each of the four quarters.

Meanwhile, the defense played their usual, consistent effort. Despite yielding 381 yards in total offense, they again proved tough in the red zone. including holding OCC to a first-quarter field goal, forcing and recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter, and not yielding a pass for more than 26 yards all day.

Topping the defensive chart was linebacker Jagger Giles (Helix) with 10 tackles (six solo), along with Ajani Shelton and Rock Gonzalez, who both had six stops including one tackle for a loss.

Shelton’s backfield play was a sack, while teammates Demanuel Talauati and Robert Dorame also registered sacks.

In addition, Grossmont did not need to attempt a punt, as the Griffins defeated Coast for the fourth straight season and 10 of the past 13 meetings.

 

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI

Sophomore Abt has been terrific this season, throwing for 1,622 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Davies has rushed for 275 yards this season and doubled his total for rushing touchdowns to six on the year.

Giles leads the Griffins with 40 total tackles this season (22 solo).

Orange Coast College was coming off its first shutout in 15 years.

Pirates coach Bubba Gonzalez said of the Griffins leading up to the game, “They’ve got a big defensive line and their offense runs and throws effectively.”

Grossmont (3-2) hosts Pasadena City next week in an American Mountain League game, looking for its first conference win of the season.

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