The Cabrillo College football team flexed its defensive muscles in last week’s win over Contra Costa College.
This week the Seahawks unleashed their arsenal of offensive weapons in a methodical 28-7 win over Los Medanos College in non-conference action.
It was Kameron Pleasant’s turn to do some damage, as he finished with 145 yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions.
“I don’t like touching the ground. I don’t like getting tackled and I’ve practiced to not go down,” said Pleasant in a press conference. “Finish every time I touch the ball.”
The sophomore receiver found a connection with quarterback Devon Daich, who completed 16-of-27 pass attempts for 198 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Daich, a former Monte Vista Christian standout, also finished with 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Freshman quarterback Ryan Kraft entered in the fourth quarter and found Pleasant for his third touchdown of the afternoon, this time a 64-yard score that sealed the deal for the Seahawks.
“We’re going to play everybody,” said Cabrillo coach Darren Arbet in a press conference. “I like all the players on this team. We’re going to give everybody some run and we feel comfortable with everyone out there.”
Sophomore running back Evan Delozier, a Watsonville High standout, finished with a team-high 70 yards on nine carries for the Seahawks. The team finished with 220 rushing yards on 42 carries.
“Offensively, you always want to run the ball and throw the ball, want to protect well,” Arbet said. “Defensively, you want to stop the run and I thought our defense played really well today.”
Arbet credited the defensive backs for stepping up and filling in for a pair of starters who missed Saturday’s game.
Cabrillo had allowed the second-fewest passing yards (96.0 ypg) and the fifth-fewest points per game in the state going into their meeting with Los Medanos.
Mustangs quarterback Zach Burke completed 11-of-29 pass attempts for 84 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
Burke drove down the field on their opening drive and connected with Daraja McDonald on a 2-yard pass for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. But it was all Seahawks after that.
Freshman defensive back Zeke Thomas, a former Soquel High standout, recorded both interceptions.
The Seahawks’ stifling defensive unit has yet to allow positive rushing yards in a game this season.
Tyrik Daniels was the Mustangs’ top-rusher with 12 yards on two carries but the team finished with minus-1 rushing yards and 86 total yards on offense.
Sophomore defensive lineman Jesse Ehimare recorded a game-high three sacks and seven tackles — four solo and three assisted.
“D-linemen in the league use leverage principals,” said Ehimare in a press conference. “I mess with how you block.”
The Seahawks had a 14-7 lead going into halftime and were plagued with penalties throughout the game, racking up 19 for 174 yards in Saturday’s contest.
“We weren’t worried about the scoreboard, we were just worried about playing football,” Arbet said. “I thought they kept their focus. We had some very aggressive penalties today, which will get fixed but they’re playing aggressive football and that’s what I want them to do.”
After an early bye-week, the Seahawks (2-0) found themselves ranked fourth in the NorCal American Division according to week 2 of the CCCFCA poll.
Next up, Cabrillo begins American-Golden Coast conference play on the road against Hartnell on Saturday at 6 p.m.
“We’re going to enjoy this one and then we’re going to watch Hartnell film tomorrow and Monday, then put together a game plan,” Arbet said. “But for right now we just want to enjoy this one. It’s hard to win a football game.”
