530-993-4379
Sierra Booster
  • Home
  • Newspaper
    • Latest News
    • Letters to the Editor >
      • Submit Letter to the Editor
    • Old News Archive
    • Photo Tour
    • Events
    • About Us
    • SUBSCRIBE
  • Advertiser Directory
    • Advertiser Press Releases
    • Website Sponsors
    • Advertiser Area
  • Buy Ads - Services
  • Fishing Report
  • Contact Us
  • Admin Log In

​REGULAR SEASON FINALE

11/11/2022

0 Comments

 
By Coach Corcoran
League play and the regular season culminated last Friday night with a win and you’re in, lose and you’re out scenario for both Loyalton and Hayfork as both fought for a playoff bid.  The long 4.5 hour trip to Hayfork was mitigated by an early departure and wonderful, healthy lunches provided by Mrs. Espana and company. The weather was perfect.  Starters Jack June and Polo Lopez didn’t make the trip due to injury and illness.  Despite three big plays being called back by penalties early in the game Loyalton still established a 14-0 lead going into the half with big outside runs provided by Case Emsoff, and a long pass and reception between Gus Petterson and Adam Smeltzer.  Gus also ended a last second goal line scoring  attempt by Hayfork to end the first half with an interception. 
The 3rd quarter saw both teams trade touchdowns as Jed Espana and Case added another pair of touchdowns. The Grizz entered the 4th quarter with a 26-20 lead and the issue very much still in doubt despite the feeling that they had controlled the game throughout.
However, the defense once again rose to the occasion and made several key stops on 4th and short situations as well as gathering in another interception.  The defensive line, lead by Andrew Jordan was in the backfield all night. Clinton Maddalena was stellar on special teams making several key tackles. 
With 5 minutes remaining the Grizzly Offense faced 4th and long themselves in the Red Zone after another penalty negated a 1st and goal play.  Adam got around the end and essentially sealed the game 32-20.  The defense still had to take the field and play


ing with pride stopped the Timber Jacks on 4th down once again which allowed Loyalton to kneel out the clock for the victory.  Drew, our only senior, played what could have been his last game, like his hair was on fire. On defense he dominated and on offense carried defenders on his back downfield every time he touched the ball.  Loyalton finished the game with 354 yards of offense. The win guaranteed a 3rd place finish in League, a 6-3 record and a playoff bid versus Herlong. 
Statistically, for those interested, the Grizzlies thru 10 games have over 2,500 yards of offense and 35 touchdowns.  Four players gained more than 500 yards of total offense.  6 hit the 100 yard mark. Gus led the team in passing, Adam in receiving and Case in rushing. Jack did a bit of everything. Gus led the team with 12 total TD’s followed by Jack and Adam with 8 , and Case with 7.   Drew also added 400 yards of offense and 6 Touchdowns.  Defensively the team caused 27 turnovers, 14 sacks and 42 TFL’s.   Jack led the team in Solo Tackles, Sacks and TFL’s.  Case led the team in Total Tackles. 
Saturdays playoff matchup vs Herlong featured a large contingent of Grizzly fans.  In fact, traveling fans significantly outnumbered the Herlong home crowd.  Polo Lopez returned to the team which was a welcome relief but Jack June remained unavailable. The Vikings featured several quick players that were difficult to tackle but Loyalton still managed to establish a 14- 0 halftime lead after long touchdowns by Adam Smeltzer and Drew Jordan.  Adam went out with injury on the first drive of the second half trying to prevent Herlong’s only score of the day and did not return.  Loyalton’s defensive line stifled Herlongs running game and the 14-0 early lead forced the Vikings to pass which was equally unproductive.
Loyalton’s offense struggled a bit in the 3rd quarter as it strove to overcome Adams loss and Case Emsoff’s minor but nagging injuries.  However, they continued producing first downs during a long clock chewing drive under Gus Petterson's leadership but stalled in the red zone which led to a highlight field goal by Case.  Field goals are extremely rare at this level of football.  It was the first by Loyalton in many years and gave the Grizz a 17-6 lead going into the 4th quarter. 
Herlong had no answers for the Loyalton defense all day and when the Grizzlies got the ball back Case rose to the occasion, overcoming his discomfort, not for the first time this year and closed the game out with several key first down runs and the final touchdown of the contest. His runs were interspersed with punishing fullback dives by Jed whose style of play never fails to inspire his teammates and demoralize opponents.  At that point, all the youngsters got in to play and stopped Herlong’s final frenzied attempt to drive the field and score as the clock wound down. The game was sealed by Clinton Madallena’s interception at the goal line.  Connor O’Rourke, Dominic Houdyshell, Nate Jordan and Wyatt Kellner all made key plays on that drive.
Overall, Polo lead the team in tackles while the defense recovered 3 fumbles and netted two interceptions. Those turnovers allowed the offense play ball control and burn clock.  Drew led the team in rushing and receiving which garnered him MVP game honors. The win vs Herlong catapults the Grizz to the Northern Section Semi Finals where they faceS the #1 seeded Chester Vocanoes in the aftermath of a snow storm expected to bring 1-3 feet.   The game was played Thursday the 10th at 6 PM in Chester instead of the usual Friday night game due to Veterans Day though, Marines in the region will be noting that the 10th is the Marine Corps Birthday.  Go Grizz!  
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    April 2014
    September 2009

    Categories

    All
    2015
    Sierra County News

    RSS Feed

    Vie
    ​w Old News

CONTACT US:

Sierra Booster Newspaper
PO Box 8
Loyalton, CA 96118
Phone: 530-993-4379
Fax: 844-272-8583
Email: jbuck@psln.com

Website Privacy Policy​
Picture
Local Weather
©Copyright Sierra Booster - Sierra County News - Editorial
Website by Chamber Nation