The Golden Valley Grizzlies led early and hung tough all night before eventually falling 33-26 to the Fullerton Indians, and the 2017 CIF Southern Section Division 6 finalist is on the ropes early in 2018.

Senior tailback Johnathan Kaelin scored the first two Golden Valley touchdowns giving the lead to the Grizzlies at halftime 13-6 over the Indians. After the break is when things began to shift from GV’s favor and the Indians capitalized on the Grizzlies’ mistakes.

“Momentum is the key,” said Golden Valley Head Coach Dan Kelley after the game.

Grizzlies’ quarterback Zack Chevalier threw an interception that was returned 55 yards to the house with 3:09 left in the fourth quarter, and Golden Valley simply never recovered.

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They had an opportunity for a fourth quarter rally and was looking to tie the game up with 6:49 remaining in regulation when all of a sudden, “Fumble!” was heard roaring from the crowd.

The Indians took over possession and quickly pushed their lead to double figures. Just like that, it was 33-20 with 3:04 left in the game.

Golden Valley continued to fight, cutting the deficit to 33-26 with 1:21 remaining on a seven yard touchdown run by Christopher Alcantar breathing life back into the stadium.

But Fullerton was able to recover the ensuing onside kick and kneel out the final 1:21 on the clock.

“The effort was there. There’s no doubt. We played four quarters of football and we can’t say that for the last two weeks, and that’s all you want to see. You want to see your kids fight to the end,” maintained Kelley.

The Grizzlies are in the midst of perhaps their toughest non-league schedule in Coach Kelley’s tenure. They’ll host Crespi next week and host the rematch of the Division 6 title game the following week when Bishop Diego comes to town.

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