Defense forces four turnovers

Defense has been the answer to the success of the Contra Costa College football team so far in the 2012 season.

The No. 3 ranked defensive unit in the state forced on four turnovers and the Comets added a formidable rushing attack of 312 yards to spark a 32-2 victory against Gavilan College in Gilroy on Sept. 15.

The Comet (2-1) defense was able to snag three interceptions against the Rams (1-2) and return a fumble for a touchdown.

Comet defensive lineman Mike Douglas said, “We gave the offense a chance to put points on the scoreboard and we were able to do so as well.”

CCC looks to continue its defensive domination against Hartnell College (1-2) at home Saturday at 3 p.m.

So far this season the Comets lead the Bay Valley Conference in interceptions, sacks and defensive touchdowns. They have four of those in just three games.

And against Gavilan, the Comet defense was able to back up its state ranking holding the Rams to a total of 121 yards.

Comet defensive back Anthony Beaver Jr. returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, giving him two defensive touchdowns for the year.

Defensive back Christopher Brown added another defensive score in the fourth quarter for CCC, returning an interception 84 yards.

While the Comets struggled to establish consistency running the ball over the first two games, totaling just 200 yards, they were able to improve their running game against the smaller Ram defense.

“We wanted to run the ball and control the clock,” Comet coach Alonzo Carter said. “We haven’t ran the ball well this season, but we were able to use our size as a physical advantage.”

The Rams scored their only points of the game in the second quarter when defensive back Jeff Smith returned a blocked Comet extra point attempt 98 yards for two points.

“We wanted to shut out the Rams as a unit and we did as they only scored on that blocked extra point,” Carter said. “I appreciated our team’s efforts.”