The Bulldogs charge onto the field, ready to take on Willows in a rousing match-up, pitting junior varsity teams against each other under Friday night lights. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter High School Sports Photography

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The junior varsity Gridley Bulldogs battled past the junior varsity Willows Honkers under the lights on Friday, Oct. 4.

After a seven-minute delay to start the game, both junior varsity teams didn’t let controversy slow them down as they played a thrilling homecoming game. 

Homecoming king and queen Karla Barajas and Gus Stogsdill. Photo by Dillon Longmire

With the news of the varsity teams not playing coming late in the week, the junior varsity teams did not disappoint as the game would start with the Bulldogs forcing a punt on the Honkers first drive of the game and answering with a touchdown from sophomore running back Manny Sandoval.

The Honkers would then start a long drive where they would tick the clock all the way down to the mid-way point of the second quarter. The drive consisted of mostly running plays and when they did drop back to pass, sophomore quarterback Tavian Bobadilla would take off with the ball. The drive was plagued by penalties from both teams. The long drive ultimately ended up with the Honkers attempting to convert on fourth down but turning the ball over on downs.

The first half would end with sophomore quarterback Marcus Duncan throwing an interception on an attempted trick play and with a score of 7-0 at halftime.

Winning best float, the junior class Beatles inspired float. Photo by Dillon Longmire

Halftime homecoming festivities would then kickoff. Each class would drive their music-inspired floats around the track. The homecoming king and queen candidates would then take the field, and it would be revealed through confetti cannons, that Gus Stogsdill and Karla Barajas would be crowned king and queen as voted by the students.

After the halftime homecoming excitement ended, the second half would kick off with the Bulldogs almost losing the onside kick attempt from the Honkers, but marching down the field with running plays, and scoring a touchdown with a designed quarterback run from Marcus Duncan making the score 14-0 early in the second half. 

The Bulldogs on defense. Photo by Dillon Longmire

The rest of the second half would be a defensive battle as the Bulldogs and Honkers would trade punts and turnovers. The Honkers would eventually score a touchdown with a designed running play, but it was not enough to beat the Bulldogs. Gridley would win with a final score of 14-7.

Both schools will look to get their varsity teams back on the field as the Bulldogs have a big test in their first league game against the Orland Trojans in Orland. The Honkers will be at home in their first league game against the Pierce Bears. Both games are scheduled for Oct. 11 after press time.