Grizzlies Win Home Opener With Solid First Half

The Grace Grizzlies held their first home football game last Thursday night and hosted the Raft River Trojans.  For the Grizzlies it was their second game of the season after beating an Oakley team that has seen better days in the season opener.  Raft River did not have a week zero game so for the Trojans Thursday night’s game was their season opener.  The two teams did meet a year ago in Malta where the Trojans ended up coming out on top in a game that saw many Grizzlies suffer injuries.  This go around the Grizzlies were able to stay at full strength and were the aggressors during the first half of play.

The Grizzlies dominated early in the game.  The offense was able to move the ball effectively with a balanced attack.  Bell cow back Chase Smith powered his way through the defense while quarterback Gavin Draper was able to connect with three different receivers.  After the first quarter of play Grace led by a touchdown and by halftime that lead had grown to twenty-two points.

In the second half the offense for Grace came to a grinding halt.  Though they were still able to move the ball at times, Draper had less success through the air and the coach’s decision to use up the play clock slowed the momentum for the Grizzlies.  After a third quarter score by the Trojans Grace really started to lean on their defense while the offense kept trying to run out the clock.  Luckily for the Grizzlies the defense was up to the task.  Standing at opposite ends of the spectrum Parker Yost and Carter Kimball led the Grizzlies on defense.  The long reach and imposing figure of Yost kept the Trojans from getting outside on him. Meanwhile the quickness and stealth of Kimball allowed him to slip past blockers and his iron grip prevented the Trojan ball carriers from advancing.  Yost finished with seven tackles and Kimball led the team with ten.

In the end the Grizzlies did earn the victory despite not scoring in the second half.  The three Grizzly touchdowns came from Bryant Moss, Carter Kimball and Parker Yost.  The Grizzlies season will not get any easier.  This week they travel to Murtaugh on Friday night to take on the Red Devils.  Murtaugh lost their opening game last week by ten points to a very good Carey team.  Grace will need to be ready for a dog fight and they will want to keep the throttle open for this one.