Coming off a statement win against top ranked Monterey Peninsula, the Giants looked to extend their win streak to six games against the 2-5 Reedley Tigers.
The Giants struck first in the final minutes of the first quarter as running back Jahkylle Smith rushed into the endzone for a seven-yard score, putting the Giants ahead 7-0. The Tigers got on the board early in the second quarter with a 35-yard field goal making the score 7-3. The rest of the first half was back and forth with multiple defensive stops from each team, resulting in no more scoring with the halftime score being 7-3.
The Tigers opened scoring early in the second half, finding the endzone on a two-yard rushing touchdown; the next drive the Giants answered back with points of their own this time a 25-yard field goal by kicker Matt Garza making the score 10-9. In the fourth quarter, the Tigers quarterback rushed into the endzone for a four-yard run; the Tigers tried a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful, making the score 10-15.
Later in the fourth, Giants quarterback Payton Faker rushed for a one-yard quarterback sneak along with a successful two-point conversion giving the Giants an 18-15 lead. The Tigers had one more drive to tie or win the game and that’s exactly what they did. With time expiring, they kicked a field goal tying the game at 18. In overtime, the Giants got the ball first and scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown by Jahkylle Smith, and the Tigers got an opportunity to match the Giants’ touchdown but came up short, resulting in a 25-18 Giants win.
Quarterback Payton Faker finished with 250 yards passing and a rushing touchdown, running back Jahkylle Smith finished with 51 yards rushing with two-rushing touchdowns, with one of them being the game winning touchdown. Wide receiver Marshel Sanders led the team with 74 yards receiving on 9 catches. The Giants defense finished with two tackles for loss and an interception from linebacker Gavin Silene.
The Giants are on the road this week for an important conference game facing their rivals Fresno City College, Saturday November 1st at 1 p.m. GO GIANTS!
