GONZALES — A physical imposing Fremont High Tigers football team spoiled the season debut of the host Gonzales Spartans, manhandling the host by a 62-7 score. Gonzales played well in the first quarter and a half on Friday at Dick Force Stadium but were unable to contain the faster and stronger Tigers.
“I the four years that I coached at the high school level I had never seen a team with so much overall size, and that includes the playoff games against Palma and Monterey,” said Gonzales head coach Arthur Berlanga. “We came out strong to start the game and were able to score on our first drive after making a defensive stop and forcing a punt. As the game wore on we overmatched in size as Fremont had many guys over 250 pounds going against one our 165 pound linemen. I am sure that is the biggest, strongest, team we will see from now on.”
The Spartans scored the first points of the game on a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Raul Morales to receiver Dominic Emery. The 47-yard drive included a reception from Morales to Giovanni Garcia and another pass from Morales to Emery. Jaime Perez booted the point after attempt for the Spartans.
The Tigers put on an offensive show the rest of the way, scoring 62 unanswered points. The visitors from Oakland limited the host to minimal yards on the ground although Morales did throw two passes for 28 yards to Emery, and three passes for leading receiver Damain Acosta who finished with 72 yards. Defensively Michael Duby and Eric Correa did well at safety for Gonzales.
On Friday the Spartans will host the Coalinga High Horned Toads in a 7:30 contest. The Horned Toads began the season last week with a 14-6 win over Wasco.
“I watched Coalinga on tape and know that they are a well-coached team,” said Berlanga. “We have got to set up on defense because they will try to run the ball on us and set up in multi spread offense. I feel that if we can run off a couple of wins we will be fine to start league.”
