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Gridley Herald

The Bulldogs Dominate the Tigers

Oct 24, 2024 10:43AM ● By Dillon Longmire
Seniors Gus Stogsdill (3) and Nathan Zumwalt (25) leading the Bulldogs onto the field. Photo by Libby Tolman [3 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley Bulldogs dominated the Oroville Tigers at home in their second league game to get back into the win column this past Friday, Oct. 18.

The Bulldogs did what was expected and picked apart the Tigers. The game started (after a 30 minute delay) with the Bulldogs receiving the ball and moving down the field using the running game. That was until the ball was turned over on a fumble, but that was just about the only thing the Bulldogs would do wrong.

After forcing a quick three and out, the Bulldogs would get the ball back and score in just five plays using the legs of senior wide receiver Kaleb Sherwood to give the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead. The Tigers would then get their longest drive of seven plays but still end up punting to the Bulldogs, which was then run back for a touchdown by senior running back Luis Murillo.

Forcing a punt and scoring quickly would be a common theme for the Bulldog. The next offensive possession the Bulldogs would score on just one play on a pass from senior quarterback Gus Stogsdill to Kaleb Sherwood early in the second quarter giving the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead. Bad went to worse for the Tigers as turnovers became a theme after junior Tiger quarterback Ayden Morales threw an interception that was taken back for a touchdown by junior cornerback Eli Punzo making it 28-0 with 8:54 left in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs would then go to the sideline and give playing time to players who don’t typically get much playing time. After forcing another three and out, the Bulldog offense would go to senior running back Lonnie Keel and give him the ball on 10 consecutive running plays until he was able to punch the ball in for a touchdown making the score 35-0 going into halftime.

The remainder of the game would have a clock that would only stop for timeouts. The Bulldogs would continue to dominate in the second half. The offense continued to move the ball and even give the ball to players who typically wouldn’t get the ball such as senior defensive end Ben Clement who ran the ball 47 yards and scored a touchdown. It was safe to say that at this point, the Bulldogs were just having fun. The same could not be said for the Tigers as they continued to take a beating while not being able to move the ball, and having two more interceptions.

The Gridley Bulldogs are scheduled to go on the road to face the Live Oak Lions in the annual Harvest Bowl while the Oroville Tigers will face the Orland Trojans at home. Both games are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25, after press time.