Linemen pushes back Porterville defenders.

After coming off their fourth loss in league play last week, to Tulare Western. The Grizzlies looked to end EYL on a high note against Porterville High. On Granite Hills Homecoming night Granite went toe to toe with cross-town rival Porterville high and won by a mere one point off a last second two point conversion stop by the Grizzlies.

The first quarter started off with the Grizzlies kicking off the ball. Porterville High’s first possession started off really good. With the PHS run game leading the way, PHS drove the ball all the way down the field only to punt the ball away. Granite’s first drive started at their own 20 yard line. A big 24 yard gain by Colin Marberry looked to spark the Grizzly offense, but soon they were forced to punt. During the punt, a penalty by PHS, gave the Grizzlies a first down and kept their drive alive. With the ball on the PHS 43, Granite started the drive again only to fumble the ball away, PHS recovered the ball on their own 32 yard line. PHS started off with a few big runs, and eventually drove to the Grizzlies 29 yard line, but an incomplete pass on 2nd and 13, forced PHS into a third and long, but the managed to get a big 17 yard run to continue their drive.
End of first quarter. Score: Granite 0, Porterville 0.

The second quarter started off with PHS still driving down field, but soon turned the ball over on downs on the 11 yard line to give the Grizzlies back the ball. Granite moved the ball effectively but soon stalled and punted the ball away. Porterville started their own 14 yard line, and continued to drive the ball, until they attempted a field goal, which the Grizzlies blocked to keep the game tied at 0-0.

Halftime. Score: Granite 0, Porterville 0.
The third quarter started off with Granite receiving the opening kick off, and took it all the way to the house for a kick return touchdown, and the first score of the game, but Granite missed their extra point attempt. After a good kick off by the Grizzlies, PHS started to move the ball again, but was intercepted by Colin Marberry. Colin fumbled the ball on the interception to give it right back to PHS, on the Granite 40 yard line. Porterville went no where on three straight plays, but on fourth down went for a fake punt which didn’t work and gave the ball back to the Grizzlies on their 32 yard line, but Granite soon was forced to punt. PHS started off backed up in their own territory, but a huge 69 yard run put them within the 5 yard line of the Grizzlies. Porterville soon scored off of a two yard run, but they too missed the extra point to keep the score tied.
End third quarter. Score: 6-6.

Granite’s next possession was really good. A big 30 yard catch and run by Sam Salinas put the Grizzlies in very good field position. Colin Marberry eventually scored for the Grizzlies off of a seven yard catch. The next possession by PHS went nowhere and soon punted the ball away to the Grizzlies. Manuel Herrera had a few nice runs on the drive but it soon ended in a fumble by the Grizzlies and PHS recovered the ball and looked to score to win or tie the game. Porterville ran the ball against the tired Granite defense who couldn’t stop it this drive. PHS soon scored off of a five yard run to bring the score to within one point. Porterville coaches were now forced to make a big decision, go for two points and win or one point and tie. PHS elected to go for two and win the game. But the tough Granite defense allowed nothing on the play and kept their one point lead. Granite then ran the clock out.
Final. Score: Granite 13, Porterville 12.

Granite will play their last game this week in Hanford, against Hanford West High School. This is a non-league game for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies ended league play with a record of 2 and 4, only beating Porterville High and Monache High, to retain their title as city champions.