Giants football to host Modesto seeking bowl-eligibility win

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

College of the Sequoias' football team has something important to play for this weekend when it hosts Valley Conference co-leading Modesto, despite being out of the title chase.

And, according to Giants coach Travis Burkett, it goes beyond gaining eligibility to participate in a postseason bowl game.

"We still haven't played our best football yet," Burkett said. "That's really what is driving everyone. I see it in the kids' eyes. As long as that remains important to the group, you have a chance to go out and improve, to get better."

The Giants (4-4 overall, 1-2 Valley Conference) would become bowl eligible for the fourth straight championship season with a victory over state No. 11-ranked Modesto (5-3, 3-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 4 at Sequoias Stadium.

Tickets are priced at $10 for general admission, with seniors (62 and older) and students $5.

Sequoias could also gain bowl eligibility with a win in its regular season finale Nov. 11 at Contra Costa (5-3, 0-3).

Modesto, which tied Fresno City for the Valley Conference title last season and played in the Northern California semifinals, enters riding a three-game winning streak. 

The Pirates are coming off a 42-7 rout of state No. 13 Reedley last weekend in a game that saw them rush for more than 400 yards, led by a 12-carry, 93-yard, one-touchdown effort from returning all-conference selection Kimoni Stanley. 

Sequoias snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Pirates last season, winning 28-24 in Modesto. It was the Pirates' only conference loss.

"We're playing a great program, well-coached, well-developed, sound in all three phases with a long and storied history," Burkett said. "It's a really worthy adversary. And we feel we have a heck of a ball club. Our guys have prepared better every day as the season has gone on. Everything you do is cumulative. We believe in the work these guys have put in and look forward to that showing up against Modesto."

Sequoias took a step toward playing its best football during a 35-16 victory last weekend at Sacramento City that featured key contributions from its offense, defense and special teams.

The Giants offense received a big performance from Clark Coleman (Vancouver, Wash.), who, while subbing for injured starting quarterback Reilly Garcia (Gilbert, Ariz.), completed 14 of 20 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns.

The defense contributed a forced fumble by Caleb Chenault (Hanford High) that was recovered by Rhett Sarvela (Vancouver. Wash.) and led to Coleman's 6-yard scoring pass to Alex Herrera (Linden). It also limited Sacramento to 70 yards rushing while getting six tackles apiece from Chenault, Cole Dias (Kingsburg) and Xavier Haley (Tulare Union).

And the special teams delivered a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Wailoa Manuel (Honolulu), a blocked field goal attempt by Tovie Martin (Clovis), a fumble recovery by Derrick Jones (New Orleans) that led to Coleman's 23-yard touchdown pass to Nick Nelson (El Diamante), and three punts pinned inside the Sacramento 20-yard line by Mark Melanson (Las Vegas).

"We grew last week with the competitive mindset when your best is needed," Burkett said. "Even when you do well and prepare well, you still have to beat the other team. The other team isn't going to let you win. I think we learned some lessons in that area last Saturday."

The Giants bounced back against Sacramento after opening Valley Conference play with losses to co-leading Fresno City (31-28 on Oct. 14) and second-place Reedley (24-17 on Oct. 21). 

"I think the staff did a fantastic job of leading their players in the areas they are responsible for, and getting a response from the guys," Burkett said. "The only measurement we're really after every week is trying to out-play and out-effort our opponent in the ways that we measure. Everyone knows we have yet to do that yet overwhelmingly. There have been signs. Saturday was a good sign."

Burkett said that Garcia, who started the Giants' first seven games while passing for 1,271 yards and eight touchdowns while also rushing for 119 yards and five scores, will be available to play against Sacramento. Burkett didn't say if Garcia or Coleman would start Saturday.

"Clark has had a great week of practice, and Reilly has done a good job of working himself back in there," Burkett said. "It's nice to have two quarterbacks with a demonstrated performance, I can tell you that."