Gauchos escape Healdsburg with 25-14 win

For most of the football game at Healdsburg on Friday, visiting Casa Grande rapped at the kennel end-zone gates without much success. Down the stretch, however, the Gauchos regrouped with enough energy to score three late touchdowns, and overhauled the upset-minded Greyhounds, 25-14, at Recreation Park.

Capitalizing on an economic passing game in the early stages, the fired-up Hounds managed a 14-6 halftime lead behind senior quarterback Killian Collins, much to the delight of a big, senior-night crowd.

Collins and his mates got the most out of short, flat passes that were converted to first downs on two touchdown drives in the first half. Collins hooked up with Thomas Kozel on a 23-yard scoring play in the first period, when the wide receiver broke away from two Casa defenders along the sideline.

The Gauchos bounced back quickly on the running and receiving of Makana Garrigan.

Garrigan returned the Healdsburg kickoff to nearly midfield, and it took only three passes by Nick Sherry to chop into the lead. The third pass was a 39-yard effort to Garrigan for a touchdown, and the Gauchos trailed 7-6.

Lanky Hound free safety Ian Gallagher intercepted a pass on the next Casa possession in the second quarter, and Healdsburg quickly took advantage of excellent field position on the Casa Grande 23-yard line.

Four consecutive running plays by Dylan Cattalini got the job done. After rushing for one first down, Cattalini broke completely free to score from the 9-yard line. The PAT kick made it 14-6.

It’s not like the Gauchos did not have chances to bounce back. Three times they advanced the ball inside the Healdsburg 25 only to be denied on failed fourth-down plays.

In the third period, it happened for the final time when a Sherry pass intended for tight end Tyler White was overthrown in the end zone from the 16-yard line.

On the next offensive series, the Gauchos took advantage of great field position to cut into the lead. Two ground gainers by Javonnie Oden and a key keeper by Sherry set up the touchdown. Oden got the call from the 8-yard line, and he went in untouched. Sherry was sacked on a 2-point PAT try, and it was 14-12.

The fourth period belonged to Garrigan. Seemingly all over the gridiron all night, he went into the stanza with 11 tackles and an interception. There was more fuel in his tank for the stretch run.

Garrigan’s second interception not only stopped a Greyhound drive, but he added a nifty a 33-yard return to give his team another scoring opportunity with good field position.

Sherry didn’t give up on his intentions to hook up with White. Two consecutive completions between the two resulted in a Gaucho touchdown that gave them the lead for the first time in the game with only eight minutes left on the clock. The scoring pass was hauled in by a streaking White from 25 yards out.

The Hounds had one last growl, and they marched to a couple of first downs before Garrigan grabbed his third interception from a kneeling position before the Healdsburg receiver could turn around.

“What else can I say about Garrigan?” asked Casa Grande head coach Trent Herzog. “I think he had at least a dozen tackles and three interceptions tonight. We were lucky to get out of here alive.”

Herzog’s Gauchos nailed the lid shut with a time-consuming 83-yard march that kept the Healdsburg offensive unit off the field. Oden took advantage of some good work up front to spearhead the drive with several first-down runs.

Almost fittingly, blocking back Allan Vargas got the call for a 2-yard touchdown run with seconds remaining. Vargas blocked well throughout the game, and made several important stops on defense.

“Credit our offensive line in the second half. They really got the job done,” said Herzog, “Oden ran very well.”

“We could have played Kahlil Keys, but he wasn’t 100 per cent. We would like to keep him out of the game next week against El Molino. He has a deep tissue bruise in his upper ankle. He will definitely be ready for the playoffs.”

Casa Grande took sole possession of second place in the Sonoma County League by improving to 4-1 and 8-1 overall. Healdsburg falls to 3-2 and 6-3 for the season.

Garrigan wound up with 13 tackles and three interceptions, while Vargas made 11 stops in another workmanlike performance. Conner Waggoner chipped in with seven stops.

Sherry threw for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 12 completions in 19 attempts. White was the leading receiver, with five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Oden finished strong with 151 yards rushing. Most of his best work was in the second half, when the Gauchos took control of the game.

Collins completed 18 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown for Healdsburg.

Healdsburg salvaged part of the evening when the Hounds pounded Casa Grande 47-0 in the junior varsity game.