The Reds traveled to Riverbank for some Friday Night Light action on Oct. 4, but the shallow roster proved to be the team’s weak spot in their 17-0 loss.
For three quarters the Reds were able to hold Riverbank to just a single field goal. But in the fourth quarter injuries proved costly and Riverbank was able to rack up points on the Reds.
The Reds started the game off strong #34 Alex Quezada returned a kick for 35 yards to put the Reds near their endzone. The squad wasn’t able to get it into the endzone but the defense played hard and made crucial plays, keeping the score at 0-0.
The Reds kept the game close through the second half with the defense mustering again to keep Riverbank out of the endzone. Riverbank finally landed on the scoreboard with a field goal, sending the teams into the locker room at halftime 3-0.
Going into the third quarter the Reds were still using all their effort to hold Riverbank back to end the quarter at 3-0 again. Keeping the game exciting for the fans who traveled to watch the Gustine Reds play every Friday night.
The fourth quarter showed promise for the Reds when #6 Isaac Fuentes forced a fumble and recovered the ball to give Gustine the chance to score. But the Riverbank defense held strong and kept them scoreless.
After two suffered injuries for the Reds, Riverbank was able to score putting them at 10-0 over Gustine. Riverbank ended up taking the lead at 17-0 to finish the game.
"We have a lack of depth right now since we don't have a lot of guys,” said Gustine Coach Collin Lane. “Offensively we are doing okay but it's hard when you start dropping players and in a lot of spots we are young so it gets tough.”
Currently, Gustine is out fur players due to injuries, leaving them with only 14 guys. Lane adds, "We have a hard four games coming up so it's going to be a hard battle the rest of the year, we need to work on the little mistakes which will help them out a lot.”
"They played really hard and I'm proud of them for not quitting,” Lane said. “They are doing the best they can with what they got and I just keep encouraging them."
Gustine will play Waterford at 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Waterford High School.
