Last week the Giants were on a much-earned bye week, coming into this game the Giants were 4-1 and winners of 3 straight. The Giants traveled up north to open league play against 3-2 Sacramento City College.
In the first quarter, the Panthers struck first on a two-yard touchdown rush; the Giants answered back with a touchdown of their own, quarterback Payton Faker floated a pass over a Panther defender to his receiver Marshel Sanders for a four-yard touchdown. The rest of the first quarter was back and forth, but there was no scoring from either team. To start the second quarter, there was a blocked punt that benefited the Giants. The Panthers were inside their own territory getting ready to punt when the ball was snapped over the punters head and eventually picked up. In a panic, the punter kicked the ball which was blocked by Giant defender Christian Markum and landed in the arms of another Giant defender Pana Tuputala and returned 42 yards for the touchdown. In the final two minutes, kicker Matt Garza kicked a 39-yard field goal extending the Giants lead 17-6. With just four seconds remaining in the first half, the Panthers were able to score, making the game 17-12 at half.
The second half was a very defense heavy half with low scoring, with both teams only scoring once. Late in the third quarter, the Panthers took the lead on a 17-yard touchdown along with a successful two-point conversion making the score 17-20. The fourth quarter, like the third quarter, was low scoring, with time running out for the Giants to make a comeback. The Giants offense took over the ball at midfield with under three minutes remaining in the game and made one last attempt at a comeback. It took the Giants just three plays to go 50 yards; Payton Faker found his receiver Marshel Sanders again for the game winning 36-yard touchdown. The Panthers got the ball back with 1:42 left in the game hoping to make a comeback but their attempt turned out unsuccessful as defensive back, Wendell Ware, intercepted the ball for the game sealing interception. Quarterback Payton Faker finished the game with 282 yards passing with two touchdown passes; receiver Marshel Sanders led the receiving category with 140 on 10 catches with two touchdowns with his last being the game winner. The Giants defense also stepped up as a unit with three interceptions, a forced fumble, and five tackles for loss.
This week the Giants play at home at Sequoias stadium, against Monterey Peninsula who is a perfect 6-0 on their season, it should be a great game. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. and as always GO GIANTS!
