There was a clash of the Titans for the first round of the CIF Southern Section High School Football playoffs for this Division 8 match-up. For this heavyweight bout it was played at San Bernardino Valley College on Friday November 10th.
Grand Terrace Titans had their first drive of the game ended by Mekhi Lewis #12 getting picked off by Max Anderson #17 and returned back for 15-yards. The 5-yard touchdown run by Joseph Green #21 to the left pylon for the touchdown 7-0.
Next drive by GT was stopped after a couple plays where Mekhi Lewis #12 threw a deep pass that was picked off by Devin Hudak #1. Notre Dame Titans couldn’t get anything on their first drive and was forced to punt.
GT’s drive started on Notre Dame’s side getting a first down but then getting stopped on a first down reach by Rohan Preston #20 that gave Notre Dame the ball as the crowd roared!! Notre Dame with the ball backed up on their side and ended up punting the ball back to GT calling a fair catch starting the drive on the 25-yard line.
After a GT Interception returned by Jaden Wells #4 for 14 yards to set up GT on the 24-yard line of Notre Dame. Set up Malachi Compton #2 to run up the middle for an easy 24-yard run touchdown. 7-7 tie game!
On the next play Notre Dame passed a wide receiver screen to Lantz Russell #22 taking it 61-yards across the field and sprinting to the endzone for a touchdown.Putting Notre Dame in the lead 14-7.
Coming out of Halftime Notre Dame Titans received the ball for the first drive but ended it with a punt.
GT started their job with picking up first downs with a strong run game with Grand Terrace winning at the line of scrimmage. A strong 3rd down push by Lonzel Bradford #13 ended up letting the ball go and another turnover recovered by Notre Dame Titans.
After GT got the ball back a fumbled snap by Mekhi Lewis #12 went through his hands after he tried to catch it but went through and was recovered by Lantz Russell #22 giving them great field position on the logo.
Grand Terrace Titans had their first drive of the fourth quarter ending with Mekhi Lewis #12 connecting with his tallest receiver Corey Young #18 for a 26-yard passing touchdown. GT still down 21-14 with 7:23 left in the game.
Notre Dame in a huge drive to seal the game set up in shotgun with 3rd and 3 passed it and dropped wide open by Lonzel Bradford #13. ND Titans punted the ball that gave GT the ball with a lot of time worth 6:28.
Grand Terrace Titans turnover on downs after not completing a pass after four pass plays gave the ND Titans the ball back.
After a touchback from a punt by Notre Dame, GT had their last drive with 2:50 and a fresh set of downs on their own 35-yard line. There was a 30-yard pass to Lonzel Bradford #13 breaking off tackles with his agility and strength. The ball was now in the redzone and getting 3rd and 3 on the 22-yard with 2 chances to the endzone with 12 seconds left.
First ball was knocked down then the last play of the game, the crowds went wild cheering for a game tying touchdown catch. GT came out with 5 Receivers in shotgun formation and Mekhi Lewis #12 snapped the ball and scrambled right towards the sideline throwing a Hail Mary to the end-zone that went over the head of Dominic Balderrama #3 and Aj LeCompte #22 and out of the endzone for Grand Terrace ending the game 21-14 and Grand Terrace’s season (3-8). Notre Dame (7-4) advancing to the second round of Division 8 CIF playoffs.
No matter win or lose they never gave up and continued to put their heart into the game. As their season comes to an end, the Grand Terrace Titans pushed through each game and never gave up. Well done Titans!