The Bulldogs’ Noe Moran knocking the ball loose from winters Sebastian Rodriguez. Photos by Yuba-Sutter High School Sports

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - A sloppy first half was the downfall of the Gridley Bulldogs in their home opener against the Winters Warriors this past Friday, Sept. 13.               

As the Bulldogs and Warriors traded punts and turnovers on the first four possessions of the game it seemed as if defense would be the name of the game. That was not the case for the Bulldogs after the Warriors marched down the field and scored their first touchdown with an overwhelming passing attack.

Gridley Quarterback Gus Stogsdill completing a pass to Luis Murillo out of the backfield. Photos by Yuba-Sutter High School Sports

The Bulldogs would get the ball back on the ensuing kickoff but turn the ball right back over to the Warriors. That was the start of the sloppy play for the Bulldogs. Whether it was a turnover, or a snap that went over the head of the quarterback, the Bulldogs could not get moving on offense during the first half. Meanwhile the Warriors would get the ball and score touchdowns on three of their next four possessions making it 27-0 at halftime.

The Bulldogs received the ball at the start of the third quarter and decided to keep it in the hands of senior quarterback Gus Stogsdill.  Stogsdill ran the ball nine total times in the second half and scored the Bulldogs only touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The defense of the Bulldogs stepped up in the second half, not allowing another score from the Warriors.

If the Bulldogs had avoided mistakes in the first half this could’ve been a much closer game. Instead, the Gridley Bulldogs will host the Colusa RedHawks on Friday, Sept. 20 as an 0-2 team. The Winters Warriors move to 3-0 on the season and will host the Live Oak Lions on Friday Sept. 20.