It was an opener for the ages that seemed to last for ages.

In a game ending just short of three hours, Gilroy High football dismantled the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs 62-13 at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex Friday night, giving every player on the Mustangs' roster a chance to take the field.

"I'm very, very proud of my team," Gilroy coach Rich Hammond said. "I think they're tired of me harping on them for the last three weeks."

The coach will be hard pressed to find too many faults with his team's Week 1 performance. Gilroy dominated in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams.

Mustang safety Richie Sotelo returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, quarterback Jamie Jensen threw three scores and rushed for another, and receiver Dante Fullard caught as many touchdowns as his signal-caller tossed while also running a sneak play into the end zone from 48 yards out.

The Mustangs' defense stifled the Monarchs for the majority of the contest, forcing three turnovers and stopping the Monarchs on two first-quarter fourth downs. Sotelo, who also blocked an extra point, dove for an interception on Mitty's first possession, linebacker Logan Sweeney recovered a fumble and Adrian Melendez picked off a pass.

Leading 20-0 with 5:48 left in the first quarter, Gilroy's offense fell flat in the first portion of the next period. Mitty pulled within seven, 20-13, following a 24-yard TD run by quarterback Ryan Roderick. D.J. Bush provided the Monarchs' first score on a 3-yard burst with 9:48 left in the second quarter.

The Mustangs responded quickly after Roderick's score, going ahead 27-13 less than two minutes later when Peter Guenther took a Jensen swing pass 58 yards up the right sideline for pay dirt. Guenther also had a 4-yard TD run.

"I would give us a B-plus, A-minus," Hammond said. "We had that lull in the second period. Offensively, we didn't play good enough early."

Finishing wasn't a problem.

With 1:12 remaining in the first half, Fullard, isolated on the left side, ran a post pattern for a catch and run of 45 yards to push the lead to 34-13. It was a play Gilroy ran repeatedly to Fullard over the course of the game, as the Monarchs refused to provide safety help over the top.

"We ran that same play to Dante three times for touchdowns," Jensen said.

Fullard ended the game with six catches for 171 yards.

"They did a great job of executing," Mitty coach Matt Haniger said. "They took advantage of some misalignments."

The Monarchs did receive an excellent performance from receiver Mitch Haniger, who had eight catches for 164 yards in the first half. Sitting out much of the second half, he finished with 10 grabs for 193 yards.

Jensen finished 11-of-19 for 279 yards, completing all three of his passes in the second half before standing on the sidelines the rest of the night. He did have two interceptions in the first 13 minutes, causing Hammond to replace him with backup quarterback Nick Marra for two plays in a second-quarter series.

"He pulled me out because he wanted to show me something in the coverage," Jensen said. "Once we settled down, we started clicking."

Taking over full time in the third quarter, Marra and company kept passing despite the game being well out of reach. Hammond pointed out that Gilroy has an offense that operates primarily through the air and he wanted the junior to have live-game experience if called upon later in the season.

"I feel bad, but I needed to get Nick reps," Hammond said.

By the time the game was finished, Marra was 9-of-16 for 121 yards and 2 TDs, one going to Fullard and the other going to Lelan Gettys, who made a diving catch on a tipped pass in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

Gilroy (1-0) will play at Atascadero Friday, while Mitty (0-2) will play at Palo Alto, a team the Mustangs host in Week 3.

Offensive Player of the Game:

Dante Fullard, WR

It felt like deja vu each time Fullard caught a pass, mainly because he ran the same post pattern for a touchdown three times. He also made an outstanding 48-yard touchdown run on what seemed like it would be a minimal gain on a tricky quarterback sneak. Squatting behind the center, quarterback Jamie Jensen pretended the ball flew over his head while Fullard wedged himself into a scrum. Once he got past the line, it was smooth sailing into the end zone.

Honorable Mention:

Peter Guenther. A 4-yard TD run and a lightning-fast catch and run for a 58-yard TD that allowed Gilroy to regain control of the game, 27-13, with 4:56 left in the first half, proves Guenther is doing well transitioning from cornerback last year to fullback this season.

Defense/Special Teams Player of the Game:

Richie Sotelo, Safety

Sotelo put his imprint on the game from the very first kickoff, when he ran past, through and in the opposite direction of defenders for an 89-yard return for a touchdown. He then intercepted a Ryan Roderick pass on Mitty's first possession before blocking an extra point attempt in the second quarter.

Honorable Mention:

Tony Travis. Travis was making tackles all over the field, including a big sack on third down late in the first half to prevent Mitty from coming close to scoring. Travis' range made sure no Monarch was able to turn the corner to break a big play. Along with Sotelo, it looks like the Mustang safeties will make it difficult for any team to break a long one.

Play of the Game: Isolating Dante Fullard on the left side, with three or four receivers on the right side of the field, and playing a little pitch and catch. It worked for three scores, two coming from Jamie Jensen and one from Nick Marra.

"We knew number 30 was the guy we wanted to pick on in film," said Gilroy receivers coach Craig Martin.

Hit of the Game:

There wasn't one hit that stood out amongst all others, but defensive tackle Brandon Elam did have one nice shot on Mitty's quarterback that left the signal-caller gasping for air. Lineacker Logan Sweeney, converted from running back just before the season, also showed signs of having a mean streak by blowing up a running back in the hole.

Quote of the Game:

"It's a mismatch for anyone who is going to come up against me."

- Dante Fullard

It sounds a bit cocky, but the whole team seems to have a swagger that says, 'If we're on our game, we won't lose.'

TCAL leaders

Passing

Name, School Com Att Yd Int TD

Jensen, Gilroy 11 19 279 2 3

Vallejo, Hollister 22 52 298 1 2

Gregg, Salinas 11 31 185 3 2

Mi, Ramos, N. Salinas 7 16 122 5 1

Rocamora, Alvarez 9 18 125 1 1

Fales, Palma 4 5 53 0 2

Aportela, Alisal 8 18 107 1 1

Rushing

Name, School Att Yd Avg

Enriquez, Alisal 34 250 7.3

Ma. Ramos, N. Salinas 28 233 8.3

Grant, Alisal 25 219 8.7

Bautista, N. Salinas 26 182 7.0

Olivarria, Palma 8 158 19.7

Jelks, Salinas 32 88 2.7

Taylor, Palma 3 67 22.3

Padilla, Hollister 10 65 6.5

Santana, N. Salinas 6 49 8.1

Fullard, Gilroy 1 48 48.0

Rushing touchdown leaders: Rosa (Alvarez) 3, Melesio (Alvarez) 2, Aportela (Alisal) 2, Grant (Alisal) 2, Bautista (N. Salinas) 2, Ma. Ramos (N. Salinas) 2

Receiving

Name, School Rec Yds Avg

Fullard, Gilroy 6 171 28.5

Cathirell, Hollister 6 72 12.0

McFadden, Hollister 6 63 10.5

Ramirez, Alisal 5 55 11.0

Perez, Alvarez 5 98 19.6

Jelks, Salinas 5 44 8.8

Receiving touchdown leaders: Fullard (Gilroy) 3, Chernetsky (Palma) 2, Perez (Alvarez) 2.