Weekend preview: Giants football looks to start streak

By Nick Giannandrea

For College of the Sequoias athletics

On the cusp of state rankings, College of the Sequoias' football team looks to win consecutive games for the first time in four seasons when it plays at Chabot on Saturday.

Kickoff for the nonconference game is set for 6 p.m. in Hayward.

The Giants opened the season Sept. 7 with a 30-24 overtime victory against Feather River that caught the attention of voters in the state's two polls. 

COS received 17 votes in the JC Athletic Bureau's coaches poll and 11 votes in the California Community College Sports Information Directors poll. The Giants have the 30th and 29th most votes, respectively, in the two Top 25 polls.

Chabot, which lost 26-3 at Shasta in its opener last weekend, received 11 votes from the JCAB and two votes from the CCSID.

The Gladiators struggled offensively last week, gaining only 248 yards. Quarterback Chayse Akaka was limited to 104 yards after completing 12 of 31 passes.

COS racked up 507 yards last week against Feather River, including 374 yards passing by Gus Villareal (Dinuba). His favorite targets were Bryson Allen (Tulare Union) and Sergio Pena (Selma), who combined for 10 catches, 232 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Giants were led by Judah Ruckman (Springville), who had a team-leading 13 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Bobby Peele (Edison) and Jeremiah Russell (Tennessee) each had interceptions.

COS hasn't won consecutive games since opening the 2016 season with victories over Contra Costa (55-47) and Feather River (28-21).

The Giants' next home game is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 28 against Santa Rosa from the Giant Chevrolet and Cadillac Mineral King Bowl.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

COS will attempt to defeat a second straight state-ranked opponent when it hosts Cuesta at 4 p.m. Friday on it campus field.

The Cougars (4-0) are ranked No. 17 in the CCSID Top 25 state poll.

On Tuesday, the unranked Giants (2-1-1) beat No. 16 Sacramento City 4-0 behind goals from Caitlin Albison (Harmony), Joana Guerra (Woodlake), Kamyrn Berry (Tulare Western) and Gloria Silva (Mt. Whitney), and assists from Maria Corral (Woodlake) and Guerra Goalkeepers Ciana Koo (Woodlake) and Maria Camacho (Lindsay) combined for seven saves in the shutout.

COS will next play at home when it hosts Cerro Coso at 4 p.m. Sept. 20.

MEN'S SOCCER

COS aims for its first win of the season when it travels to Lancaster to face Antelope Valley at 4 p.m. Friday.

The Giants dropped to 0-2-1 after losing 5-2 at home against Monterey Peninsula on Sept. 7. Cesar Lopez (Mt. Whitney) and Alex Saldana (El Diamante) had goals, while Fabian Castillo (Mt. Whitney) contributed an assist for COS.

Antelope Valley (3-1) is ranked No. 12 in the CCSID state Top 20 poll. The Marauders average 2.75 goals per game.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

The Giants (6-3) are idle this weekend as the prepare to launch Central Valley Conference play next week.

COS' first conference match is set for 6 p.m. Sept.18 at West Hills-Coalinga. 

The Giants will make their home debut at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 by hosting Porterville at Porter Field House.

Tickets are $5 and children 10 and under are free.

CROSS COUNTRY

After opening the season Sept. 7 at the Fresno Invitational, COS is off until Sept. 21 when it will compete at Cal State San Bernardino.

The Giants' men placed fourth out of 18 teams at the Fresno Invitational behind Ismael Ramirez (Redwood), who placed second individually in 21:05. Oscar Perez (Dinuba) was 16th in 21:29.

Courtney Santos (Hanford West) was the lone COS woman to race, finishing 71st in 22:46 for the 5K race.