GILROY -- A rejuvenated San Jose City College Jaguars football squad comes to Gilroy Saturday for a 7 p.m. showdown with Coast Conference foe Gavilan on the Garcia-Elder Sports Complex turf.
The home team has had a stranglehold on the Gavilan-San Jose City series over the last four years. San Jose has posted wins of 34-33 and 43-27 recently on the Jags' field, while Gavilan won games in Gilroy by counts of 24-0 and 16-13.
The Jaguars are one of three Coast Conference teams at 1-0 after opening the five-game league schedule with a 27-6 victory over Hartnell.
Gavilan is 0-1 after a 31-24 setback at De Anza.
Both teams are 2-4, each owning a decision over College of Marin. Gavilan opened the season in Kentfield with a 26-23 victory. The Jaguars posted a 36-31 win in Kentfield on Sept. 27.
"I expect a typical physical game with Gavilan," said San Jose City head coach Carlton Connor, a former assistant to John Lango at Gavilan,
Connor lauded the improvement of the Rams over the past year.
"Gavilan's very similar to us, just like most of the Coast Conference," said Connor. "More than past years, the conference is very balanced."
Connor has been pleased with his running back tandem of Dupree Eley (out of Gunderson High) and Havlock Pomele (Milpitas). Eley leads the team with 295 yards rushing, while Pomele has a team-high three touchdowns.
Connor pointed to linebacker Jerome Meadows (6-foot-3, 234 pounds) and cornerback Chris Jones as leaders on the Jaguar defensive unit.
Lango acknowledged that San Jose City, like De Anza, has a big offensive line.
"Like us, San Jose prefers to run first -- controlling the football -- but will pass when necessary," he said.
Lango added that San Jose has an advantage with regards to its special teams play.
Matt Perkins tops the rushing list for Gavilan with 233 yards. Coming off last week's 104-yard showing against De Anza, quarterback Connor Farotte is second with 159 yards.
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