GRIDLEY, CA (YSBC) - The Gridley Bulldogs football team dominated their 12th consecutive Harvest Bowl as they blasted the Live Oak Lions with a 56-0 blowout victory on Oct. 24.

As rivalry games bring out multiple emotions, Live Oak entered the “Boneyard” hyped up for the game, but the hype went away in the second quarter.

The first quarter was quick and scoreless as the Lions were able to move the ball successfully, but were forced to punt and turned the ball over on downs in Gridley territory.

The Bulldogs faced adversity in the first quarter with the ball as they struggled with handing the ball off, but didn’t turn the ball over. 

Gridley senior defensive back Noe Moran (4) celebrates an interception on Oct. 24 in the Bulldogs' 56-0 victory over Live Oak. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley was fueled during pregame as Live Oak led their purple smoke out to around the 50-yard line and the Bulldogs took it personally.

Gridley scored 56 unanswered points from the second quarter on and they made a statement each time as they scored on their final eight possessions of the game.

Bulldogs junior running back Marcus Duncan opened the scoring clinic as he scored his first touchdown from 29-yards out after picking up a fumbled snap. Duncan rushed the ball eight times for 109 yards in the win.

Duncan added a 60-yard rushing touchdown on the next Gridley possession as he bursted through the left side of the line.

Bulldogs senior quarterback had another great outing as he accounted for five of Gridley’s touchdowns. Punzo completed five passes for 67 yards and two passing touchdowns.

The Live Oak Lions hit the field in warm ups before the 2025 Harvest Bowl against Gridley on Oct. 24. Photo by Steven Bryla

Punzo added three touchdowns on the ground in the win as he carried the ball 11 times for 191 yards.

The Bulldogs controlled the game and had a 28-point lead at the half.

Live Oak came out in the second half and made a quarterback change as they attempted to change the momentum from the first half. 

Lions junior quarterback Kaiden Dulan tossed a few passes in the second half as two of them were intercepted for turnovers.

Live Oak head coach Robert Titlton expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that he was happy with the play of the first quarter, but they struggled from the second quarter on.

Tilton added that he was disgruntled with the additional scoring when the game was out of reach. The Lions were held to a total of 101 yards of total offense in the loss.

Live Oak senior running back Ian Miranda had 43 rushing yards and senior quarterback Bradley Perigo completed four passes for 45 yards.

Gridley senior wide receiver Riley Engleman (14) hauls in a pass from Eli Punzo for a reception on Oct. 24 in the Bulldogs' 56-0 win against Live Oak. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley ran 28 plays of offense in the game and four of their touchdowns were on runs of 20 or more yards.

Bulldogs head coach Daniel Zumwalt told his team postgame that they played great but there are two more weeks of the season that matter. He added that their goal as a team is going to be tough, but if they continue putting in the work, the results will show.

Zumwalt told YSBC that Gridley was fueled by the smoke antic, but they played Bulldogs football.

The Lions will hosted Oroville on Thursday, Oct. 30 with an opportunity to make a statement in their playoff campaign.

The Bulldogs will head back to Oroville and play at Harrison Stadium against Las Plumas tonight with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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