Rowland Edges Chaffey in Nail-Biting Gano League Opener

The Rowland High School football team extended its unbeaten run to eight games with a dramatic 45-44 victory over Chaffey in the Gano League opener on October 6, 2023. The win improved Rowland’s record to 8-0 overall and 1-0 in league play, while Chaffey fell to 3-5 and 0-1. With only four teams in the Gano League, every match carries significant weight, making this victory crucial for Rowland’s ambitions.

Coach Citos Marinez praised the resilience of his players, particularly the seniors who have been pivotal in the team’s success. “You got to give credit to the seniors who wanted to stay here,” Marinez stated. He reflected on his own experience of navigating a coaching change during his senior year, highlighting the challenges faced by the current squad. He also acknowledged the contributions of the previous coaching staff that helped develop the current seniors.

The game started with immediate excitement as senior running back CJ Carillo opened the scoring for Rowland with a stunning 75-yard touchdown run on their first possession. Chaffey quickly responded, with junior fullback Alexis Almeida tying the game at 7-7 with a touchdown of his own. The back-and-forth nature of the match set the stage for a thrilling encounter, with each team demonstrating their offensive prowess.

Rowland’s offense continued to shine, as Jose Valadez, the senior quarterback, connected with Damietyn Arrieta for an impressive 80-yard gain. Carillo then added another touchdown, followed by a successful conversion, pushing Rowland ahead 15-7. The momentum seemed to swing in Rowland’s favor when they executed an onside kick, recovering the ball and allowing Carillo to score his third touchdown early in the second quarter, extending the lead to 22-7.

Despite Rowland’s initial lead, Chaffey’s offense rallied. Senior quarterback Noah Stewart found Justin Alcantara for a 55-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap. After Rowland answered with another touchdown from Bryce Johnson, Chaffey continued to press, with Carlos Vasquez scoring to bring their deficit down to six points.

The game took another turn when Stewart connected with Andrew Rodriguez for a 22-yard touchdown pass, allowing Chaffey to take a 31-29 lead into halftime after successfully converting the extra point. Coach Marinez emphasized the importance of focusing on defensive techniques during the break, noting that Chaffey had been flawless in scoring touchdowns.

Chaffey maintained its momentum in the second half, with Almeida scoring again to increase their lead to 38-29. Yet, Rowland was not to be outdone. Carillo found the end zone for the fourth time, successfully converting to bring Rowland within one point at 38-37.

Defensively, Frankie Trujillo made a significant impact with seven tackles and an interception that would prove decisive. Early in the fourth quarter, Johnson executed a 45-yard touchdown run, giving Rowland a 45-38 lead. Chaffey responded with a determined effort, with Vasquez scoring on a six-yard run to pull within one point at 45-44.

In a critical moment, Chaffey opted for a two-point conversion to take the lead, but Trujillo’s interception thwarted their attempt. Rowland then recovered Chaffey’s onside kick, allowing them to run down the clock and secure the victory.

Reflecting on the team’s mindset, Marinez noted, “When you haven’t been to the playoffs and you’ve only won a combination of eight games the past two years, you aren’t going to get big-headed. This is the beginning of our program.” The win not only solidifies Rowland’s position in the league but also marks a significant step forward in their quest for a successful season.