The Bulldog defense rushing Live Oak quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, during the 2024 Harvest Bowl.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley Bulldogs dominated and took home the Harvest Bowl trophy for the 11th straight year, against the Live Oak Lions this past Friday, Oct. 25. Final score was 49-3.               

The Bulldogs set the tone early scoring a touchdown in the first 52 seconds of the game using the legs of senior wide receiver, #6 Kaleb Sherwood. The Lions would then respond with a lengthy 12-play drive using both runs and passes to move down the field, but only came away with a field goal, making the score 7-3 late in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs would respond quickly with multiple chunk plays from senior quarterback, #3 Gus Stogsdill and end up running in a touchdown to end the first quarter with a score of 14-3. The Lions would once again move the ball converting on multiple third and fourth downs, using the arm of senior quarterback #7 Aaron Rodgers. The Lions would move into the red zone, but were unable to finish the drive as the Bulldogs forced a turnover on downs.\

The Bulldogs line up to kick the ball away after scoring a touchdown against the Live Oak Lions, on Oct. 25.

The theme of quick scores would continue for the Bulldogs as they would score a rushing touchdown (once again from Gus Stogsdill) in only one play to make the score 21-3 with seven minutes to go in the second quarter. The Bulldog defense would force a three and out and the offense would score once again in only one play but this time using the arm of Stogsdill as he threw a long pass to junior wide receiver, #7 Canon Moore who was open in the endzone for a touchdown.

The Lions would then almost completely abandon the running game and use the arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers which proved to be somewhat effective as they would move the ball down the field once again but got turned over on downs. After that Live Oak drive took up a decent amount of time, the Bulldogs would get the ball with only 50 seconds left in the first half. That proved to be no problem for the offense as they moved down the field and scored in only three plays after a touchdown pass from Gus Stogsdill to junior wide receiver, #5 Eli Punzo, making the score 35-3 entering halftime.

The second half would go by quickly as the game would go into a running clock after the Bulldogs scored another touchdown using the legs of Stogsdill to make the score 42-3. The Bulldog defense would not allow another score from the Lions and the offense would score for the last time using senior running back, #40 Lonnie Keel. Time would expire and the Bulldogs claimed the Harvest Bowl trophy once again.

Even though the score indicates otherwise, the Lions had a shot to keep the game close if they could’ve finished drives in the first half. Three first half drives would end up in the red zone, but the Lions were only able to score on one. An impressive throwing performance from quarterback Aaron Rodgers should give the Lions hope for the rest of the season.

The Gridley Bulldogs will host the Las Plumas Thunderbirds in what may end up being their final home game of the season while the Live Oak Lions will go on the road to face the Oroville Tigers. Both games are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, after press time.