Gators force five turnovers, top Skyhawks

Successful football teams capitalize on their opportunities, and Green Valley did exactly that Friday Night.

The Gators forced five turnovers and converted three for touchdowns, rolling past visiting Silverado, 28-6.

Christian Lopez completed 15 of 21 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown to lead the fifth-ranked Gators (7-2, 5-0 Northeast League), who will enter the postseason as a No. 1 seed.

“Our kids are excited,” Gators coach Brian Castro said. “They want to extend their season as long as they can. The way they played tonight, it should be fun.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the Gators took advantage of a fumble deep in Silverado territory, scoring on a 5-yard TD run by Albert Lake to go ahead 7-0 early in the second.

Castro said his squad’s ability to force three fumbles and two interceptions was key.

“That was unbelievable,” he said. “We got a short field for that first touchdown, and I was super proud of those guys.”

After another fumble by the Skyhawks (3-6, 2-3), Larry Norman added a 13-yard TD run to send Green Valley into halftime with a 14-0 lead.

Lopez connected with Kyler Chavez for a 5-yard TD pass in the third quarter, and Norman found the end zone again on an 11-yard run to put Green Valley ahead 28-0 in the fourth.

Jarrett Alipio hit Austin Hunt for a 45-yard TD on a trick play late in the game to give Silverado its lone score, and the Skyhawks recovered the ensuing onside kick. But their next drive ended on an interception, and Green Valley went to work on the clock.

Lake carried nine times for 86 yards to help the Gators, and Norman rushed 13 times for 69 yards. Chavez caught six passes for 91 yards.

Jujuan Bell rushed 16 times, all in the second half, for 82 yards to lead Silverado. Alipio carried 18 times for 76 yards.