The matchup between the Chabot Gladiators and Contra Costa Comets was a
competitive showing between two teams hoping to find some positive light within their
respective but lackluster seasons, which opened with a costly special teams mistake by
the Gladiators. Early in the first quarter, a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave the Comets
a second chance on their opening drive. They capitalized quickly, with Antonio Hines
punching in a 4-yard touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead.
The Glads responded with great grit. Quarterback Yan Arias led a well-ordered
15-play, 80-yard drive capped by his own 1-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game
7–7. Just before halftime, Jalen Frenchwood connected with Junior Maopraseuth for a
2-yard touchdown pass, giving Chabot a 14–7 lead and momentum heading into the
break.
The second half was for sure a nail-biter. Contra Costa’s Caleb Joseph broke
loose for a 76-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, followed by a successful
two-point conversion to reclaim the lead, 15–14. With just over a minute left in the
fourth, Joseph struck again, this time from 26 yards out, to seal the game 22–14,
snatching the heart from the Glads and fans.
Self-inflicted wounds with penalties tortured the gladiators throughout. Chabot
was flagged 10 times for 124 yards, compared to Contra Costa’s 7 penalties for 81
yards. These lapses in discipline stalled drives and extended possessions for the
Comets, proving disastrous in a closely contested game. Even with strong defensive
efforts and a balanced offensive attack, the Gladiators really couldn’t overcome the
explosive plays by Contra Costa and their own penalty troubles. The Glads are now 1-6
and will be on the road to face Los Mendos on October 25th at 1:00 PM. Hopefully the
Gladiators come into this next game with their heads on fire, willing and ready to go
through walls to bring a win back home. They just have to make sure there’s more
discipline and better awareness between the offensive and defensive lines as well as
the special teams. GO GLADS!!!!!!!!