Last Men Standing: A Grace Playoff Preview

With the fall sports season coming to a close we are down to just one local team left still competing.  The Grace Grizzlies football team finished the season with an impressive eight and one record and a district championship.  Their record was good enough to earn them a first round bye in the playoffs but their strength of schedule only secured them the number four seed in the playoff bracket.  After sitting out last week for their bye the Grizzlies learned that their opponent for their quarterfinal match up will be the Prairie Pirates out of the Whitepine league.  Prairie is one of those teams that seems to find themselves in the playoffs every season.  In fact the two teams met last November in the same round of the playoffs.  That game was played in Cottonwood on the Pirates home field but the Grizzlies came out on top winning by ten points in a competitive game.  The two teams match up well with one another and are similar in style.  Coach Draper commented, “They look a lot like us. They're not huge but they sling it all over the place. They're solid and like us can run and throw it.”  When asked what will give his team the advantage in this year's match up Draper first pointed to the fact that Prairie will be the ones traveling this time.  “Being in the dome is going to be an advantage to us. It's basically a home game for us and our fans.”  Draper went on to say, “What a great opportunity for high school kids. It's cool to play in the dome and it feels like you're big time. Also our pep band and cheerleaders are going to be there so they're excited about that.”

Quarterback Gavin Draper drops back for a pass earlier in season.

One of the great advantages for the Grizzlies this year is their depth in the skill positions.  Bryant Moss who plays multiple positions for the Grizzlies and has been one of their most prolific players on both sides of the ball.  When asked about what has driven his success this season Moss responded, “A big part of it is last year I missed half of the season with a broken collarbone but also this year we love each other and we’re all good friends. We support each other and are just trying to win a championship.”

Bryant Moss leads the team in offensive stats this season.

Another one of the Grizzlies top performers is quarterback Gavin Draper.  Draper is a two year starter for the Grizzlies and has seen his numbers explode this year compared to last season.  Draper attributed his improved play to his coaches, “We have some great coaches on our staff with Jason Kimball as our offensive coordinator and Millward stepping in and helping us.  Gavin also talked about the offseason, “Getting everyone together during the summer working on those little things like catch and tuck and also just trusting my teammates. Knowing that they'll do their job and then it allows me to do my job.”  When asked about what he wants to get out of this week's game Gavin responded, “I just want everyone to have fun. When you have fun you play good. When you play good you win games. I just want to keep the energy up and make everyone feel included.”

In their post practice huddle the word “love” was frequently used.  That's not a word that you hear a lot from teenage boys in reference to their teammates and coaches unless you are listening to a team that is confident in one another and has success.  The Grizzlies have both in spades.

The Grizzlies hope to continue their season with a win on Friday night.  Kickoff is slated for 8:15 and the game will be played in the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.