Suffering their first loss of the 2017 season, the Golden Valley Grizzlies fell to the Crescenta Valley Falcons 26-19, last Friday.

The match up pitted two of the top four Div. 6 teams, No. 2 and No. 4 respectively, in a game that had a playoff atmosphere. “We knew it was going to be a playoff atmosphere. I mean, we are both in Division 6, and it came down to who had the ball last, and our guys came out in the second half and fought all the way to the end. I can’t be prouder of these guys and they showed a lot of fight and that’s what you have to have to be successful,” said Grizzlies coach Dan Kelley about the hard-fought game.

Falling behind 19-7 at halftime, the Grizzlies allowed three touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving) to Falcons’ senior running back Joe Suh. Tightening up their defensive game plan and using De’Gabriel Floyd at multiple offensive positions, including quarterback and running back, Golden Valley clawed its way back into the game by scoring on the first possession of the third quarter, then they got within seven points after a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. With two minutes remaining in the game and no time outs left, Floyd took what would be the last snap of the game for the Grizzlies on offense and heaved a “hail Mary” to Jalen Lewis, which was batted down incomplete by Crescenta Valley.

The Grizzlies will now look to put the loss behind them and focus on preparing for another road test this week against Crespi. “Get your mind-set right. Let’s come into this game strong, confident and ready to play,” reiterated Floyd, understanding there’s still a long way to go in the 2017 season.

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