No. 19 Giants football set to host No. 26 Shasta at 11 a.m. Sept. 24

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

College of the Sequoias' football team will put one of the state's most prolific scoring attacks on display for the home fans when it hosts Shasta on Sept. 24.

Kickoff for the nonconference game between the Giants (2-1) and Knights (2-1) is scheduled for 11 a.m. from Sequoias' campus field. Admission is $8 general admission and $5 for seniors and students.

The Giants, who are ranked No. 19 in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau, enter averaging 35 points per game, the 14th-best total among California's 67 football-playing community colleges.

Sophomore quarterback Nathan Lamb (Tulare Union) has helped lead the way offensively, completing 40 of his 59 attempts for 591 yards and seven touchdowns.

In the process, Lamb has climbed to fourth on Sequoias' career completions list (228). He's also fifth in school history in total offense (3,496 yards) and fourth-best in touchdowns responsible for (40), with at least seven games remaining on the schedule to add to those totals.

Lamb's favorite targets among 13 receivers used so far have been tight end Anthony Valencia (Mt. Whitney), who has caught 11 passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Danny Olivera (Firebaugh), who has six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.

The Giants also feature the state's 12th-best rushing attack behind Olivera (29 carries, 145 yards, one touchdown), Lamb (27 carries, 132 yards, one touchdown) and Monache product Aidan Galvan (24 carries, 102 yards, four touchdowns). 

Paving the way have been offensive linemen Jacob Guzman (Corcoran), Willie Asalele (American Samoa), Matthew Sanchez (Tulare Western), Tyler Ball (Redwood), Caleb Walker (El Diamante), Abel Barajas (Porterville), Justin Warford (Mission Oak), Simeon Nenadov (Buchanan) and Jeston Vaulet (Sparks, Nevada).

When Sequoias has been stopped offensively, it features a weapon in Mike Melanson (Las Vegas), who ranks sixth in the state with an average of 39.4 yards per punt.

Shasta, which is ranked No. 26 in California by the JCAB, counters with an offense averaging a state 29th-best 28.3 points per game, led by running back Gabriel Curtis (56 carries, 193 yards, four touchdowns) and receiver Tyler Carey (six catches, 149 yards, three touchdowns).

Looking to slow Shasta's offense will be a Sequoias defense featuring linebacker Lonnie Wessel (Golden West) and safety Michael Wessel (Golden West), who lead the Giants in tackles with 12 each.

Sequoias' defense has registered four sacks -- including one each from linebacker Michael Gray (Fort Myers, Fla.) and defensive backs Delvon Fegans (Oxford, Ala.) and Julian Espinoza (Tulare Union) -- and made13 tackles for loss. Fegans and Isaak Guzman (Porterville) have each forced fumbles.

The teams have one common opponent so far, with Shasta defeating San Joaquin Delta 37-30 on Sept. 10 and Sequoias beating Delta 45-17 on Sept. 17.

Shasta is among eight teams on the Giants schedule who are ranked by the JCAB, including No. 2 San Mateo, No. 8 Butte, No. 17 Reedley, No. 20 Fresno City, No. 21 Modesto, No. 31 Diablo Valley and No. 34 Sacramento City.

Sequoias concludes nonconference play next week when it plays at Diablo Valley at 7 p.m. Sept. 30. The Giants won't play at home again until Oct. 22 when they host Reedley at 1 p.m.