BIG FINISH FOR GLADIATOR STADIUM

The Chabot College football team gave its home stadium a sendoff fit for a Gladiator on Saturday afternoon.
The Glads crushed visiting Los Medanos 35-7 in the historic finale of Gladiator Stadium that is being torn down. A new stadium will be built in its place.
And what a close-out touchdown in Chabot's first Pacific 7 Conference win.
Malachi Salazar-Alexander returned an interception 90 yards for a spectacular touchdown with 1:21 left in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.
On the Glads' second Pick-6 of the game, after a Henry Pole 50-yard TD return in the second quarter, Salazar-Alexander, a sophomore defensive back out of Moreau Catholic High, weaved through the stunned LMC players, appearing stopped at one point, all the way into the end zone.
"Play of the year!" declared head coach Eric Fanene. "Running, great blocking, no quit … team defense."
Fanene added of the game's historic nature: "Last game ever in Gladiator Stadium. Goes out with a win!"
The Glads (4-5, 1-3) avenged a heartbreaking 48-41 loss to LMC on Oct. 26 in Pittsburg. The teams got a rematch after both had open dates because Yuba cancelled its season.
This time, the Chabot defense shut out the Mustangs for three straight quarters. Chabot freshman quarterback Cooper Matthews (Castro Valley) was 23 for 31 passing for 276 yards and three touchdowns. Trevor Rund (California) also had a big game with 101 yards rushing on 13 carries and three receptions for 26 yards. Malakai Matthews (East Lansing, Michigan) had six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Joseph Stephens had five catches for 74 yards. Daemon Duran (Sierra-Manteca) had two grabs for 60 yards and a TD, and Jamir Collier (Deer Valley) also had a touchdown catch.
Malachi-Alexander also bolstered the stubborn defense with five tackles and five assists. Linebacker Elliot Lachenmyer (Arroyo) had four tackles and seven assists.
The Glads will finish the season at first-place De Anza (9-0, 4-0) on Saturday, Nov. 23.