Giants football topples Diablo Valley for third straight win

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

College of the Sequoias football team heads into conference play with a head of steam.

The Giants won their third straight game behind a mostly stout defense, opportune special teams and an offense that delivered when it had to during a 28-14 nonconference defeat of Diablo Valley on Sept. 30 at Sequoias Stadium.

"We're on a roll," said Giants sophomore safety Julian Espinoza (Tulare Union High). "It's like a snowball now."

Sequoias (3-2), which is ranked No. 20 in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau and No. 22 by the California Community College Sports Information Association, has a bye next week before hosting reigning Valley Conference champion Fresno City (2-3) at 1 p.m. Oct. 14 to open the second half of its season. 

"Were excited the way the regular (nonconference) season phase finished," Giants coach Travis Burkett said. "We need to now be able to not rise or fall or worry about the opponent. We need to play to and through our standard. And we all know who's coming next."

Through the first 55 minutes against Diablo Valley (1-4), Sequoias' defense limited the Vikings to 192 yards. And 74 of that came on one play -- a second-quarter pass from Jerry Johnson to Damani Burrell -- where the Giants were late getting onto the field and into position coming off a change of possession.

Take away Diablo Valley's scoring drive in the final 5 minutes -- capped by Johnson's 32-yard pass to De Shawn Smith when the game's outcome was already in hand -- and Sequoias' defense allowed just 116 yards.

"Testimate to the defensive staff and players," Burkett said.

The Giants received interceptions from Espinoza (Tulare Union High) and Rhett Sarvela (Vancouver, Wash.), a fumble recover by Fagali'i Leatutufu (Wahiawa, Hawaii) and six tackles for losses, including a sack by Andres Rodriguez (Cesar Chavez-Delano) and half sacks by Tovie Martin (Clovis) and Taaj Andrews (Boston, Mass.).

Saravela's interception, which came when Rodriguez deflected a Johnson pass and it ricocheted off Jaylon Brown (Chandler, Ariz.), led to a 6-yard touchdown run by Kenroy Higgins (Oakland) six plays later that put the Giants ahead 28-7 with 5 minutes and 28 seconds remaining in the game.

Espinoza, Martin and Will Henderson (Immanuel-Reedley) shared the team lead with five tackles apiece. Sarvela had four tackles and two of the Giants' five quarterback hits.

"We were a bend, but don't break, defense," Espinoza said. "I think we did really good. We rallied toward the second half."

Sequoias' special teams played a crucial role, too. 

A year after watching Diablo Valley fake punts twice -- one extending a drive that led to a touchdown -- during a 50-43 overtime loss, the Giants scored on a Vikings punt attempt this time. 

Diablo Valley punter Michael Vaccaro mishandled a snap in the end zone, and before he could pick up the ball, Caleb Chennault (Hanford) pushed him away from it, allowing Leatutufu to recover for a touchdown and 14-7 Giants lead with 10:32 to play in the third quarter.

The Vikings mishandled another punt snap in the fourth quarter, with Sarvela dropping Zane Hall for a 12-yard loss back to the Diablo Valley 12 that set up a 3-yard Dylan Gurule (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) touchdown run for a 21-7 Sequoias lead at the 12:14 mark.

The Giants' special teams also received a stellar effort from punter Mike Melanson (Las Vegas), who averaged 50.2 yards on five punts, pinning three inside the Diablo Valley 20-yard line.

"We're not satisfied at all with our kicking game," Burkett said. "But in the last two games, we've made some big jumps."

Offensively, Sequoias had one extended scoring drive, a 10-play, 72-yard march capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Reilly Garcia (Gilbert, Ariz.) to Chris Camy (El Diamante) for a 7-0 first quarter lead.

The Giants controlled the clock -- enjoying a 33:43-26:17 edge in time of possession -- thanks to a running game that went for 196 yards on 41 attempts. Higgins (12 carries for 63 yards), Gurule (15-56) and Garcia (5-55) all rushed for more than 50 yards.

"The message we send to the guys is you should be happy, enjoy the celebration for 18 hours," Burkett said. "But we have to continue sending the message that we're never going to be satisfied here until we win the last one."

Four teams ranked among the state's top 26 by the JCBA await Sequoias during Valley Conference play.

In addition to No. 26 Fresno City, the Giants play at No. 15 Reedley (4-1) at 2 p.m. Oct. 21, host No. 17 Modesto (2-3) at 1 p.m. Nov. 4, and travel to No. 10 Contra Costa (5-0) at noon Nov. 11.

Sequoias will also play at unranked Sacramento City (2-2) at 1 p.m. Oct. 28.