On the road, Valencia (7-1, 4-0) handed Golden Valley a loss, but the Grizzlies held strong in the second half, shutting out the Vikings.

Coming out of halftime, Golden Valley (3-5, 2-2)  was down 35-7 but managed to dominate time of possession.
After receiving the second-half kickoff, the Grizzlies held onto the ball until turning it over on a fourth-down attempt at the five-yard line with under a minute left in the quarter.

Backed up near their own end zone, Valencia managed to move the ball but stalled near midfield, with the Grizzlies forcing a punt.
After a lucky bounce, the Vikings managed to pin Golden Valley at the one-yard line.

With renewed energy, GV’s Aaron McCormick flipped the field with a 98-yard run.
After driving down to the two-yard line — and eventually the one — Valencia was able to come up with another fourth-down stop.

Valencia Head Coach Larry Muir described it as a two-sided coin. On one hand, the Vikings kept Golden Valley out of the end zone; on the other, they gave up big plays and allowed the Grizzlies to dominate possession.

“So in the end, you’re trying to keep [Golden Valley] out of the endzone, but obviously there’s things we got to fix and get better at,” stated Muir.

While acknowledging areas for improvement, Muir also tipped his cap to Golden Valley.

“You’re always fighting to execute, no matter what, and Golden Valley presents its own issues,” said Muir. “They’re physical and do a really good job.”

Though Valencia kept Golden Valley from scoring, the Grizzlies returned the favor in the second half, playing to the adage that sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

While the second half was scoreless for both teams, the first half was an entirely different story.

The Vikings scored quickly and often, with five different players reaching the end zone, showcasing the versatility of Valencia’s offense.

“We have so many weapons — we have so many talented kids across the board,” said Muir. “The receiver positions and obviously at running back and quarterback, and there’s a lot of guys we could rotate through that are really talented guys.”

From the jump, the Vikings were rolling, starting in Golden Valley territory after the opening kickoff.
Valencia executed a near-perfect drive — minus a false start — and capped it off with a five-yard rushing touchdown by Brady Bretthauer.

Valencia’s Brady Bretthauer runs into the endzone untouched from 5-yards out. The Vikings take a quick 7-0 lead over the Grizzlies. pic.twitter.com/2zRez1fKq9

— KHTS Sports (@KHTSSports) October 17, 2025

On the ensuing kickoff, Golden Valley’s Jayden Brown returned the ball inside the red zone, giving the Grizzlies a spark of momentum.
The drive was capped by Joseph Lewis, who leaped over a wall of players and extended into the end zone to tie the game at 7 with five minutes left in the first quarter.

From 1-yard out Joseph Lewis goes flying over the line for a Golden Valley touchdown.

With under five minutes in the first quarter the game is knotted 7 apiece. pic.twitter.com/J6qb5xz4MV

— KHTS Sports (@KHTSSports) October 17, 2025

Valencia answered right back with an eight-yard touchdown from Elias Holloway.

Elias Holloway slices through Golden Valley’s defense for an 8-yard touchdown.

Golden Valley 7, Valencia 14 pic.twitter.com/NHt4HRyBCY

— KHTS Sports (@KHTSSports) October 17, 2025

Now up 14-7, the Vikings put Golden Valley in a tough spot, punting from deep in their own end zone.
While the kick got off, it didn’t go far. After it took a bounce, Anthony Vernon scooped it up and ran it in for a touchdown, extending Valencia’s lead to 21-7.

That wasn’t Vernon’s only contribution. In the first half, the Vikings also ran a jet sweep reverse pass where Vernon, the runner, ended up throwing to Bretthauer, the quarterback.

Before the half ended, Washington commit Brian Bonner scored from six yards out, and Bretthauer connected with Michael Wilder on a four-yard receiving touchdown. That would be the final score of the game, ending it at 35-7.

Bretthauer connects with Michael Wilder for a four yard touchdown with 30 seconds left until halftime.

Golden Valley 7, Valencia 35. pic.twitter.com/jqoaNNZ3BE

— KHTS Sports (@KHTSSports) October 17, 2025

With this game behind them, Valencia now prepares for a showdown with Hart next week. If Hart defeats Castaic tomorrow night, the matchup between Valencia and Hart will determine the Foothill League champion.

Muir understands the magnitude of the game and what Hart brings to the table, but he’s focused on consistency.

“I’m not going to say it’s just another week, but it is another week of challenging ourselves and in that process getting better,” said Muir. “Our kids have accepted all the challenges, and next week will bring its unique challenges because of Hart and what they do, but I like our guys and how they prepare week in and week out.”

As for Golden Valley, they’ll be on the road to face West Ranch on October 24 at 7 p.m.

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