Grizzlies Win District Title On Senior Night

When playing in just a two team district, playing for a district title on senior night is more common for the Grizzlies than most other teams.  This is just the situation the Grace Grizzlies football team found themselves in last Friday night.  The Grizzly’s opponent for that game was their district rival the Butte County Pirates.  The Grizzlies and the Pirates have had some incredible battles over the years and you never know what to expect when these two teams meet up.  Entering Friday night’s championship game the Grizzlies were heavily favored to win the game.  The Grizzlies came in with a 7-1 record and ranked in the top five eight man teams in the state.  The Pirates on the other hand have struggled this season and came in with a 1-7 record with their only win coming against a 1A team.  Despite their opposing records both teams had plenty to play for on Friday night.  The winner would not only earn bragging rights but would win the district title and earn a first round bye in the playoffs.  Even with a loss the Grizzlies would still make the playoffs so perhaps they entered the game a little more relaxed while the Pirates were playing for their post-season lives.  The way Friday night’s game began reflected those feelings.  While many in attendance expected the Grizzlies to dominate start to finish it was the Pirates who came out swinging looking like the aggressors.  The Grizzlies seemed to be caught off guard by the intensity shown by the Pirates and after just one quarter of play Grace had just a slim two point lead over the Pirates.  The Pirates kept up their intense play into the second period and actually took a 12-8 lead over the favored Grizzlies. Part way through the quarter the Grizzlies seemed to finally wake up and began playing up to their potential.  As the first half came to a close the Grizzlies had taken control of the game and now led 24-12.  Grace kept things rolling in the second half and looked the part of a district champion team.  The Grizzlies outscored the Pirates 33-0 in the second half to come away with a convincing 57-12 victory.  

The eight senior players for Grace made the most of their senior night.  Senior quarterback Gavin Draper continued his terrific season completing twenty-two of twenty-eight passes for two hundred seventy-five yards and six touchdowns through the air and one more on the ground.  Senior running back Chase Smith earned a touchdown on the ground while senior receivers Cooper Andersen, Parker Yost, and Bryant Moss all caught touchdowns.  Senior Kicker Bradley Schiele had several great kickoffs and made his only attempted extra point in the game.  Senior lineman Case Williams anchored the offensive line playing center and earned two solo tackles on defense.  The last senior Carter Kimball was unfortunately injured and not able to play in Friday’s game but gave great support from the sideline.

The win earned Grace the district title and a first round bye in the playoffs.  Following this weekend’s slate of games the playoff teams will be seeded based on their maxpreps rankings and the Grizzlies will learn who their opponent will be.  Grace should have a home game next week which could possibly be moved to the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.  Check next week’s issue to see where and when the Grizzlies will be in action next.