Sports
Chabot Rallies From 20 Down, Falls To Host Santa Rosa In OT
Akaka passes for 339 yards, 4 TDs, Johnson has 190 yards receiving in Bay 6 battle
Chabot College football coach Eric Fanene said it all in a tweet after Saturday’s game in Santa Rosa.
“I love my guys. Great fight tonight.”
With an indomitable spirit, the Gladiators rallied from deficits of 27-7 and 40-24 to force overtime in a 47-40 loss to the host Bear Cubs in Bay 6 Conference play.
Freshman quarterback Chayce Akaka -- Chabot’s gift from Maui -- completed 24 of 40 attempts for 339 yards and four touchdowns, also rushing 15 times for 60 yards. Akaka completed a dramatic 47-yard TD to top target Da’Juan Johnson with 2:01 left in the fourth quarter, followed by a 2-point pass from Tanner Wright, to tie it 40-40 and force overtime.
Johnson had a spectacular game with 13 receptions for 190 yards and two TDs. He also had four punt returns for 114 yards with a long of 60.
Chabot linebacker coach David Phillip loved the Gladiators’ resilience, tweeting:
“Proud of my guys tonight. When things got tough, you guys kept your heads down and clawed back into it one play at a time. Came up short in OT. Everybody at some point in their life will get knocked down, only real men get back”
After Santa Rosa (5-2, 1-1) scored 10 straight points to lead 40-24 in the fourth quarter, the resilient Gladiators (5-2, 1-1 Bay) responded with a stirring 16-0 run. Akaka’s 54-yard TD pass to Chris Washington, followed by a 2-point conversion, cut the deficit to 40-32.
After Chabot forced OT, Santa Rosa escaped with a victory on a 7-yard completion from Jake Simmons to Lucas Triplett.
After Santa Rosa took a 27-7 halftime lead, Ponove Veimau gave the Gladiators new life in the third quarter with a 28-yard TD run. Khalil Robertson then scored on a 4-yard pass from Akaka, along with Alejandro Cervantes’ extra point to trim the deficit to 27-21.
On defense, Chabot’s Ethan Allen and Samuelle Cavallini led the way with nine solo tackles apiece and combined for 21 total tackles. Cavallini was a beast with 2.5 sacks for 25 yards total and 5.5 tackles for loss for 33 yards. Lando Grey had 1.5 sacks and Allen had 1 sack. Hufangahau Moala had 2 tackles for loss and half a sack. Ozbourne Seuteni made on 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack.
Overall, Akaka spread the wealth completing at least two passes to six receivers.
Ryan Nisbett punted very effectively averaging 43.0 yards on four attempts, one inside the 20, with a long of 62 yards.
Photos by Jim Noonan
