GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - High school football is back in action as schools around the North State get back in session for the 2019-2020 school year. Gridley high school varsity and junior varsity football were back in action in a home field scrimmage against the Durham Trojans on Friday, August 23rd. In a sideline conversation during the JV game, Gridley varsity head coach, Matt Kemmis, and I got acquainted and talked football. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with Coach Kemmis, you would know he’s a soft spoken man with booming conviction to his words. A very respectful man who has been around the game of football long enough to know the impact his presence can make on a young man’s life. That’s one thing he enjoys about coaching football in such a small community like Gridley. People don’t leave very often, and when they do, they come back to raise their families where their roots are deep. Seeing a young man he once coached succeeding in life outside of high school football brings a smile to Coach’s face. 

Coach Kemmis is excited for this year’s football team, especially the offense, which he’ll be commanding this season. Junior quarterback, Cameron Carr, will be back under center after taking his sophomore year off of sports due to a freak accident in the Spring of 2018 that resulted in an ACL tear and reconstructive surgery. Coach Kemmis is eager to see how Carr reacts on the football field after such an adverse experience and with such a lengthy time away from the sport. The offense is full of talent this year with speed and strength coming from senior running back Selso McTygue, junior running back and wideout Arden Anderson, junior running back Elias Counihan, and sophomore running back and wideout Ryan Smith. A very dynamic offensive backfield should make for a productive offensive season on the ground and in the air. Coach Kemmis had high praise for Anderson coming out of camp, who plays on both sides of the ball, as well as returns kickoffs and punts, and is the team's kicker. 

Gridley got off to a slow start with a few miscues on their first offensive possession that resulted in a turnover on downs after moving the ball down the field about 60 yards. After a few possessions, and after trailing Durham early, Carr and the offense got rolling with some great runs by their backfield committee and a couple of passes. Carr scrambled for three touchdowns in his first game back since 2018. His first touchdown came on a quarterback sneak inside the 10-yard line. His second came on a 20-yard scramble, and his third touchdown came on a 5-yard scramble that was set up after a big run by Elias Counihan. To say the least, Carr’s knee is feeling comfortable enough to move the ball on the ground. During a quick interaction after the game, Carr said his knee felt great, giving the Heisman pose afterwards. McTygue, Anderson, and Counihan all got their share of touches throughout the game. Despite starting slow, the offense bounced back in the second half and showed signs of promise for the future. 

The junior varsity team also scrimmaged on Friday, August 23rd, and showcased a lot of young talent from the freshman and sophomore classes. Starting quarterback, Shay Carr, cousin to varsity quarterback Cameron Carr, got the JV offense started on their first possession with a few scrambles on the ground and some passes to standout freshman, Michael Ryan for an 80-yard drive. Carr connected with Ryan on a short pass around the 30-yard line, and after a few jukes and athletic moves, Ryan punched it in for the first touchdown of the season. On their first defensive series, Carr got the ball back for the offense when he intercepted a Trojan pass. Carr scored another touchdown on the ground with a 30-yard scramble and completed another scoring pass to Michael Ryan. 

Gridley starts their football season on Friday, September 6th, against Paradise, in Paradise at 7:00 PM. Gridley will open up league play at Sutter on Friday, October 11th, at 7:30 PM.