Pete Moye’
Cerritos College running back Thomas Gray (right) pushes the pile against several West Los Angeles College defends in the Falcons’ 26-10 win on Saturday. Gray finished the game with two touchdowns and 154 yards on 26 carries.

Behind the churning legs of running back Thomas Gray, the Cerritos College football team defeated West Los Angeles College 26-10 on Saturday.

Gray, who is the team’s leading rusher this season, suffered a rib injury early in the game, but returned and was effective.

“I thought it was a just a cramp at first, but then I got hit again. It was a by a big dude, he must have been a lineman. He just crushed me but I had to play through it.”

He finished the game with two touchdowns and 154 yard on 26 carries.

The Falcons’ defense refused to give up any yards on the ground, allowing a mere 32 yards.

Linebacker Dominick Sierra said the team’s ability to focus on what the coaches told them was what help them achieve the win.

“Coach (Tom) Caines told us we just need to keep up playing how we should be playing. We have a very young defensive talent but our defensive line is probably the best in the nation,” he said.

WLAC only score three points in its first 10 possession compared to 19 points by Cerritos.

Linebacker Donovan Amituanai led the defense with eight tackles.

He said, “We just had to keep our intensity up. We are a team that is known for not finishing games so this week we wanted to finish.”

Amituanai also said correcting mental mistakes will help the team progress forward.

Falcons quarterback Brandon Denker threw for 136 yards and a touchdown.

Denker has 703 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, placing seventh and second in the state in those respective categories.

The game also featured former Cerritos College players from the 1986 and 1991 teams. The players were brought onto the field at halftime and recognized by those in attendance.

Also in attendance was former All-American safety Keith McGill. The current Utah Utes safety was enjoying the team’s bye week before it resumes play against the University of Washington on Oct. 1.

The Falcons will travel to Saddleback College to play the Gauchos at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Saddleback, who is the No. 2 team in the state, is 4-0 at this point at the season and it defeated Victor Valley College 48-14 on Saturday.

Last season, the Falcons defeated Saddleback in the SoCal Bowl 28-24.