West Hills Claims Share Of League Title, Advance To Division Championship Bowl

The West Hills College Coalinga Falcons captured their third consecutive American Division Golden Coast League championship title – at least a share – after a 34-14 victory against Gavilan College in Gilroy on Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons (7-3) will advance to the NCFC American Division Championship Bowl Game next Saturday at Pac 7 champ Shasta College (10-0) in Redding. Game time to be announced.

In Saturday's league-clinching win, the Falcons jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter and never looked back.

The scoring started on the team's opening possession, as QB Vincent Espinoza tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to WR Imoni Donadelle over the middle of the Rams secondary.

On the Falcons' next possession, RB Joseph McDaniel capped a 9-play, 57-yard drive with a four-yard scoring run.

The bruising back went virtually untouched on a 14-yard scoring run to end a similar drive – and gave the Falcons a commanding 21-0 lead with 10:30 remaining in the second quarter.

McDaniel had a game-high 115 rushing yards on just 12 carries (9.6 ypc) and a pair of TDs. Backfield mate Kimauni Johnson was equally impressive, rushing for 96 yards on 10 attempts (9.6 ypc).

The Rams took advantage of West Hills miscues (three interceptions, fumble) and scored on a 15-yard rushing TD (making it 21-7) in the second quarter – and late 1-yard run (making it 34-14) with 6:12 left in the game.

Gavilan did its best to keep the ball away from the potent Falcons offense, and while the Rams controlled the time of possession (29:10 to 26:41) they were outgained by West Hills in total offense, 470-227.

Falcons' defensive back Andreaz Spencer collected two interceptions, and safety Darrius Casey had a forced fumble with three tackles.

Linebacker Michael Westray led the team with six tackles (two for loss) and captain defensive back Justin Hayden finished the game with five solo tackles (one for loss) and a fumble recovery.

Espinoza completed 17-of-24 passes for 223 yards, two TDs and three INTs.

WR Kris Lewis had team-highs of five receptions and 51 yards.

The Falcon tight ends enjoyed a productive day blocking and catching – Thomas Odukoya had two catches for 43 yards and Apefai Taifane made his one catch for six yards count, as he broke several tackles and dove into the endzone on a fourth-down play to give WHCC a commanding 34-7 lead with 12:25 remaining.