DVC defense, passing combo. too much for Chabot
The Diablo Valley College football team got a strong performance from its defense and another big game from the quarterback-receiver tandem to record their first win of the season.
Dylan Gilfoy created havoc on the defensive line while Jadon Brisendine and Marquese Surrell teamed up all-game long as the Vikings came away with a 28-14 victory over Chabot at Chabot Stadium.
Gilfoy had a pair of sacks and four more tackles-for-losses as the DVC defensive unit kept the Gladiators from getting into any kind of offensive rhythm the entire night.
"Our defense played phenomenal from start to finish," DVC head coach Mike Darr said. "After last weeks tough loss the guys did a great job regrouping and played tough."
The freshman Brisendine lit up the Chabot secondary with 353 yards and three touchdowns in the air on 25 for 43 passing. His favorite target was once again Surrell, who went over the century mark in receiving yards for the second straight game and finished with 11 receptions for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"Both guys have been incredible so far and they continue to get better and have done a tremendous job getting our offensive going," Darr said.
For the Gladiators, Keith Alston and Aaron Andrews had a sack and two tackles-for-losses each as the Chabot defense did its best to slow down the Vikings offense.
"We had a couple of breakdowns on defense tonight and they took advantage of it," Chabot head coach Danny Calcagno said. "We've played great at times and I am really happy to see the development of our defensive unit."
DVC (1-1) came out of the gate quickly, going 73 yards in nine plays on the first possession of the game before Brisendine hit Surrell, who broke a tackle before finding the end zone for a 7-0 Vikings lead just four minutes into the contest.
On Chabot's third offensive play running back DeAngelo Stubbs broke off a 12-yard gain, but fumbled the ball in Vikings territory where DVC's Ville Valasti recovered the ball.
The Gladiators (0-2) knotted the score at 7-all when quarterback Johnny O'Brien connected with Leroy Elliott for a 26-yard touchdown with 2:37 left to go in the opening quarter.
The Vikings regained the lead with 12.3 seconds left in the first. Brisendine marched DVC from their own 23 to another score after finding Yamvo Teague in the corner of the end zone to cap the seven-play drive and a 14-7 Vikings advantage.
DVC then forced three straight punts before Desmond Nisby, who rushed for a game-high 97 yards on 20 attempts, bullied his way for a 7-yard touchdown as the Vikings took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
Chabot got their offense in gear in the third quarter when O'Brien hit Elliott downfield once again, this time for 44 yards and a Gladiators touchdown to make it 21-14 DVC.
On their ensuing possession, the Vikings converted four straight third-down conversions, including a third-and-goal from the Gladiators 7 when Brisendine threw a fade down the left corner of the end zone where Surrell got his feet down in the end zone for DVC touchdown.
From there the DVC defense took over as they kept Chabot out of the end zone for the final 25 minutes. In the fourth, the Gladiators had a fourth-and-goal from the Vikings 11, but O'Brien's pass fell incomplete and DVC took over with 7:01 left.
"We are really young and going through some growing pains especially at the skill positions," Calcagno added. "At the same time I'm happy to see some of our guys really step up."
O'Brien had 159 yards in the air, but was just 10 for 23 while Elliott caught five passes for 92 yards for Chabot. Christian Fuca added seven receptions for 92 yards for the Vikings.
DVC will host College of Sequoias on Friday at 7 p.m. while Chabot will play at home on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Butte.