GRIDLEY, CA (YSBC) - The historical journey for the Gridley Bulldogs girls flag football team continued on Oct. 27 as they beat the Amador Buffaloes 18-6 in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV play-in game. 

Gridley is the only Northern Section school that has a flag football program, so they competed in the SJS’s Pioneer Valley League this season and finished fourth in the league standings.

They finished the regular season with a. 500 record (6-6) and qualified for the opportunity to get into the playoff bracket, but Amador was standing in the way.

The Bulldogs went into the elimination game without a big piece on the field as sophomore Delanie Cloyd was sidelined due to a knee injury.

Gridley junior Ava Campos (12) closes in on Amador senior quarterback Paitlee Cross (25) to end the Buffaloes’ final possession on Oct. 27. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Gridley junior Kaydenze Pruitt stepped into the quarterback role and she ran the offense proficiently and didn’t miss a beat.

Amador took an early 6-0 lead after they scored on their first drive of the game after senior wide receiver Sophia Dooley caught a three-yard pass from senior quarterback Paitlee Cross.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the first play of the second quarter when Pruitt found junior Natalie Mariscal on the left sideline and she ran it 45 yards into the end zone to tie the game at six.

Both defenses locked down the opposing offenses and forced multiple punts and turnover on downs. 

Gridley senior Sophia Moran gave the Bulldogs great position in the third after she intercepted a pass from Cross on the Amador 29-yard line.

Gridley junior Ava Campos (12) rushes for a 40-yard touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 18-6 win on Oct. 27 against Amador. Photo by Chris Pedigo

That drive resulted in a turnover on downs by the Bulldogs.

Gridley took a 12-6 lead with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter as junior running back Ava Campos got the edge and scored on a 40-yard rushing touchdown.

On the defensive end, Campos and Marsical applied heavy pressure into the Amador backfield and forced Cross to throw quickly and left a lot of passes short to her receivers.

The Bulldogs sealed the deal after they extended the lead to 12 with one minute and 39 seconds left in the game as Pruitt found junior Nayeli Romo alone for a 17-yard passing touchdown.

Pruitt expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that she is grateful for her teammates boosting her confidence with the continuous support of telling her she can get it done.

Gridley junior Natalie Mariscal (8) applies defensive pressure on Oct. 27 in the Bulldogs’ 18-6 victory over Amador. Photo by Steven Bryla

She added that Gridley has full trust in one another on the field and it stems from off field activities. Pruitt said they are around one another all-day long from being in the same classes, practicing and all of the team bonding they do on a regular basis.

Bulldogs head coach John Cooprider told YSBC Sports that this was the best team-victory they had all season.

Gridley went on and played the No. 1 overall seed in Orestimba as the Bulldogs fell 35-6 and were eliminated from the playoffs.

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Gridley junior quarterback Kaydenze Pruitt (1) rushes ball on Oct. 27 in the Bulldogs’ 18-6 win against Amador. Photo by Steven Bryla