Grizzlies End Season With Third Place Trophy

The Grace Grizzlies Football team had their season come to an end last Friday when they lost their semi-final game in the state playoffs.  That game took place at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow as the Grizzlies were matched up against a tough Kendrick Tigers team.  The Grizzlies trip to the north started on Thursday.  After loading up and leaving Grace Thursday morning the team made a stop at the College of Idaho in Caldwell.  There the team had the opportunity to have their last practice on the school’s game field.  After the practice the team continued their trip to Grangeville where they would spend the night.  Before turning in for the night the Grizzlies were able to rent out a local movie theater and watch an inspirational movie.  The next morning with the trip to Moscow being a short one the Grizzlies took some time before heading to the game to visit a local nursing home.  The team spent time with the residents playing games, swapping stories and singing songs.  Even without the game the trip had already been a memorable one for many of the boys and their coaches. 

As for the game itself Kendrick has dominated teams all season so going into the game the Grizzlies needed to play a near perfect game to compete.  Sadly the Grizzlies lackluster performance was anything but perfect.  Several miscues, turnovers and penalties saw the Grizzlies suffer the same fate that every other team has when facing the powerful Tigers team.  Despite the devastating loss in the semi-final game the Grizzlies played well enough this season and through the playoffs to earn a third place trophy.

The Grizzlies finish their season with an impressive 9-2 record.  The two losses they suffered were to Adrian Oregon and Kendrick both of which are favored to win in their upcoming state championship games.  Both teams are also ranked among the top ten eight man teams in the nation.  However the Grizzlies two losses do not define their terrific season.  The Grizzlies eight talented seniors and the rest of the team made plenty of memories on their journey through a successful season.  Those seniors include Bradley Schiele, Cooper Andersen, Bryant Moss, Carter Kimball, Chase Smith, Case Williams, Parker Yost, and Gavin Draper.  The senior class leave some big shoes to fill.  There is no doubt that the Grizzlies coaching staff is eager to get to work planning for next season with their group of younger players.  Congratulations Grace on a great season.