Garces rumbled over and through the Gunderson defense to pile up 186 combined yards and three touchdowns, leading Willow Glen (3-5, 1-3) to a come-from-behind 34-30 win over Gunderson (2-6, 0-5) in a Santa Teresa Division Blossom Valley Athletic League contest last Friday night.

Garces was part of all 21 points the Rams put on the board in the first half. He scampered in from 15 yards out in the first quarter and then pounded his way to paydirt on a 5-yard burst in the second quarter. Kicker McCabe Tonna nailed the PAT on the first score but his effort on the second failed. Later in the quarter, quarterback Juan Baron fired a 25-yard scoring strike to Garces. Baron connected with tight end Charlie Findeisen for the two-point conversion and Willow Glen was within 24-21 at the intermission.

However, Gunderson extended its lead to 30-21 midway through the third quarter before the Rams slammed the door shut on any further Gunderson scoring. That defensive surge was led by linebacker Eric Zetterquist and safety Angel Posada, who combined for 29 tackles. In addition, Gerardo Cisneros and Findeisen each played a solid game at their defensive end slots, and linebacker Mike Roseland made plays all over the field.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams offense continued to click behind the solid blocking of offensive linemen Greg Garrety, Grant Morrow, Richie Green, Roseland, Zetterquist and Findeisen.

The Rams struck back quickly in the third when halfback Peter Nino headed around the right corner and broke loose for a 66-yard sprint to the end zone. Tonna's kick was good and the Rams closed the gap to 30-28.

Gunderson was not ready to throw in the towel and began to march down the field going deep into Ram territory before the defense dug in once again and shut the door. The Grizzlies were stuffed on a fourth and short at the 20. The Rams took over possession and proceeded to march.

The drive finally stalled with the Rams facing a fourth and two in Gunderson territory but definitely within field goal range of the foot of Tonna. "I knew we were in field goal range," coach Andy Penwarden said. "But we hadn't been able to consistently stop them the whole game and I didn't know how well a field goal would really help. We were moving the ball and I felt we could get the two yards." But this time the Rams were stopped, and the defense was called upon to step up again.

It did just that, squashing the Gunderson attack and giving the Rams offense another shot to come back for a go-ahead score. Baron led the offense back down the field, capping the drive with a 7-yard scramble to paydirt with just over six minutes left in the see-saw battle. A two-point conversion attempt failed and the Rams held a 34-30 advantage.

"In the second half, our guys started to make the plays and play with a sense of urgency that they just did not want to lose the game," the coach added.

"But what it really came down to was that we were in better shape. We have emphasized conditioning all year long and work on it every week in practice, and it's paying off. Late in games, our guys start to beat other teams to their spots and it makes a big difference."

The Rams will have to use that conditioning, another solid defensive effort and some additional firepower when they square off against longtime rival Lincoln (6-0-1, 3-0-1) in a rare meeting under the lights at Lincoln on Nov. 4. The Lions are tied for first in the BVAL Santa Teresa Division and sport a potent ground attack that is tough to cage. But, no doubt, Penwarden and his Rams are looking forward to a little safari in Lions country.