By Matt Schwab: Story by Damin Esper

Chayce Akaka threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 86 yards as Chabot College won its home opener over College of the Sequoias on Saturday, 38-6.

The Gladiators (1-1) had lost their season opener the week before, managing only a field goal at Shasta. The offense had no such troubles against the Giants (1-1). "We all played together, played as a team," Akaka said. "We came out here and did our thing."
Chabot coach Eric Fanene said almost everything offensively was better in Week 2. "Our receivers caught passes, Chayce got in space and found wide-open guys and our running game got going more," he said. "Our defense played lights-out again, special teams no turnovers. We had 21 points attributed to special teams last week." Sequoias drove into Gladiators territory on the game's first drive but Nick Vaimaona sacked Gus Villareal on fourth down to end the threat. Akaka threw two incomplete passes on Chabot's first to plays, then busted out for a 50-yard run on third-and-10. That set up a 30-yard field goal off the leg of Alejandro Cervantes and a 3-0 Gladiators lead. That didn't last long. After forcing a three-and-out, Chabot drove to near midfield. On third down, Akaka found Alan Riggins for a 52-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, Akaka found fellow Hawaii native Tanner Wright deep down the sideline for a 34-yard touchdown throw. It was the first of two touchdowns for the pair. "O-line blocked," Wright said. "Chayce throwing dimes. We did good tonight. Really good." Wright said the week in practice was key for the offense's improvement.

The Gladiators took that 17-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Akaka teamed up with Wright again, this time on a 45-yard strike down the side. After another Sequoias three-and-out, Akaka connected with Khyri Harris on a 24-yard touchdown pass to make it 31-0. The Giants scored their lone touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 9-yard pass from Villareal to Bryson Allen. The Gladiators outgained Sequoias, 452-213. Akaka finished 15 of 23 throwing the ball with an interception to go with the four touchdown passes. Wright caught three balls for 112 yards and Janeiro Crankfield caught six for 36 yards.

The Gladiators next play at San Joaquin Delta on September 21 (1 p.m.).