PREP FOOTBALL : Nonleague : Best Option for Irvine Is Running Behind Gerardi

Greg Gerardi, Irvine High School offensive tackle, played a big part in the Vaqueros’ 32-21 nonleague win over Gahr, Thursday at Hanford Rants Stadium in front of 500.

He was a big factor because Gerardi is, well, big.

Six-feet seven-inches, 240-pounds big. The Gladiators (1-4, 2-7) don’t have a player taller than 6-2.

Can you say, mismatch?

Gahr clearly had no one who could handle Gerardi as he created gaping holes in the line.

The holes created, the Vaqueros (2-3, 6-3) ran their multi-option winged-T offense to near perfection for three quarters.

This is the same run-oriented attack that Irvine Coach Terry Henigan borrowed from Harold (Tubby) Raymond of the University of Delaware. Because the wing-T is chock-full of counter plays, reverses, quick pitches and downfield laterals, it requires quickness and deception to run correctly. Most of the time.

Midway through the first quarter, it became apparent to players and spectators alike that the Vaqueros would run anywhere Gerardi was blocking. It also was no surprise the man chosen to run behind Gerardi most of time was 6-0, 200-pound halfback Gary Renteria.

He scored the first touchdown, capping a nine-play drive with a two-yard dive over Gerardi. The kick failed and Irvine had to settle for a 6-0 lead.

The score came with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter and was set up when defensive back Brian Snoddy intercepted a pass at the Gahr 49-yard line.

The Gladiators actually went ahead for a while. Running back Travonn Johnson scored on a four-yard run. Morris Atki’s kick was good and Gahr had a a 7-6 lead. Who knows what else the Gladiators might have done. They recovered a Vaquero fumble on the Irvine 30, and drove to the 11-yard line before turning the ball over the themselves with a fumble.

Then it all broke loose. Irvine scored 26 unanswered points. Quarterback Jimmy Raye hit tight end Peter Brantley with a 70-yard touchdown pass. Renteria scored on an eight-yard run. Raye scored on an 18-yard run. And fullback Jim Miele scored on a 41-yard run through a hole created by, one more time, Gerardi.

Irv--Renteria 2 run (kick failed)

Gahr--Johnson 4 run (Atki kick)

Irv--Brantley 70 pass from Raye (run failed)

Irv--Renteria 8 run (Goodlin pass from Raye)

Irv--Raye 18 run (pass failed)

Irv--Miele 41 run (kick failed)

Gahr--Harrison 5 run (kick failed)

Gahr--Harrison 37 run (Johnson run)

Attendance--500