Gridley senior lineman Jason Davis Jr. (52) blocks a defender on Nov. 7 during the Bulldogs’ 38-19 victory over Corning. Photo by Libby Tolman

BUTTE COUNTY, CA (YSBC) - The CIF Northern Section released their football postseason brackets on Saturday, Nov. 8 and the Gridley Bulldogs and Biggs Wolverines qualified for the postseason. First round matchups begin on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

Division III

U Prep at Gridley

The undefeated Westside League champion Gridley Bulldogs were given the No. 1 overall seed in Division III. Gridley capped off their first perfect-regular season and league title since 2006. 

The Bulldogs clinched the Westside League title on Friday after beating Corning 38-19. Gridley has an impressive resume as two of the biggest wins this year came against Orland and Winters.

The “Boneyard” will be packed on their first-round matchup as they host University Prep this Friday. Gridley’s offense will look different as recent injuries have taken out running backs Manny Sandoval and junior running back Marcus Duncan.

Bulldogs head coach Daniel Zumwalt expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that losing Duncan and Sandoval are obviously big blows, but he has the faith in his team and new names to take the reins and pack the punch in the backfield.

Gridley senior quarterback Eli Punzo rushed for 112 yards on the ground and found the end zone twice against Corning. 

Zumwalt added that sophomore running back Johnny Delgado rushed for 103 yards in the victory as he was called up from the junior varsity last week and is a fearless runner.

U Prep finished the regular season with a 3-7 record and picked up wins over McKinleyville, Anderson and Central Valley.

Zumwalt said it’s difficult to beat a team twice in the same season, but is looking forward to the challenge on Friday night.

Gridley senior quarterback Eli Punzo rushes towards the end zone during the Bulldogs’ 38-19 win over Corning on Nov. 7. Photo by Libby Tolman

Division V

Portola at Biggs 

The Biggs Wolverines grabbed the third overall seed in the Division V bracket as they get to host another first-round playoff game.

Biggs regular season ended with a 24-point defeat to Hamilton for the Mid-Valley League championship.

The Wolverines will attempt to stay in the postseason longer than they did in 2024, as they were knocked off by Weed in the opening round as a No. 1 seed.

Biggs will host the Portola Tigers on Friday night as Wolverines head coach Brian Harrison told YSBC he expects a bag of tricks from Portola.

 

The Tigers ended Biggs’ season in 2022 and 2023 before the Wolverines handed Portola an MVL league loss last year.

Harrison expressed to YSBC that he respects Tigers’ head coach Steve Heskett a lot and is ready to go to war on the gridiron this Friday.

The Wolverines defeated Portola 42-6 on the road on Oct. 17. Harrison joked that he is glad the Tigers are welcome to make the trip down this time around.

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