The second- and third-grade Gorillas continued their chase for first place in the Lawrence Youth Football league with a 25-0 victory over the Twisters Sunday at Youth Sports Inc.

Gorillas coach John Flynn said his team – which remains in second place, just five points behind the Hurricanes – has gotten much better since the beginning of the season.

“I thought they played great this afternoon,” Flynn said. “We’ve got a lot of players on the team that have improved over the course of the season and they’re looking good, so we’re pretty proud of them.”

The Twisters game plan was obvious as quarterback Triston Nicks was going to run the football. In fact, Nicks opened the first quarter with six straight quarterback keepers following behind blockers Alan Clothier and Sage Bostwick.

But the Twisters drive was cut short when Nicks threw a halfback pitch that hit the turf and the Gorillas recovered the fumble and took over possession.

The Gorillas struck quickly with a 40-yard touchdown run to the right by Michael Sinks.

The second quarter started with an exciting run by the Twisters’ Clothier, who took a handoff to the left but was swarmed by the Gorillas defense. But instead of going down for a loss, Clothier burst through the defensive pack and darted some 30 yards downfield.

But the Twisters were unable to capitalize on Clothier’s carry, and right before halftime Sinks broke off a 60-yard score to give the Gorrillas 13-0 advantage.

Gorillas Logan Applegate, left, and Cole Sidabutat, Gorillas player, storm the water cooler during halftime of their game against the Twisters on Sunday at Youth Sports Inc.

Sinks kept up his scoring ways in the third quarter. His third touchdown, this time a 25-yarder, gave the Gorillas their final margin of victory with a quarter still remaining.

The Gorillas defense stepped up to keep the Twisters scoreless.

Linebacker Nyle Anderson stormed the Twisters to bust up several plays, while Cole Sidabutar and Logan Smith played strong up front.

Defensive back Casey Hearnan came up with an interception to thwart the Twisters final drive.

Gorillas running back Michael Sinks scampers into the end zone Sunday at Youth Sports Inc.

Even with just one game left on the schedule, Flynn said the Gorillas – who could tie the Hurricanes for first place in the Toy Bowl standings with a win next week and a Hurricanes loss – would get back to work on the basics this week in practice.

“We’ve got to work on our fundamentals like hitting, tackling, and blocking before our last game. All the important things,” Flynn said.