Friday Night Lights, September 2, 2022, the Grand Terrace High School Titans (2-1) came in strong and feeling confident as they stepped onto the field to face off against Hillcrest High School Trojans (1-2). There is no doubt that both teams were looking to win, but in the end, only one team came out victorious and that was the Titans 33 – 14.
Alijah Appleton #4 assisted the Titans by giving the team the lead by scoring the first touchdown of the night, and that helped both the offense and defense to get motivated to stop the Trojans. The momentum and adrenaline were in full effect helping the Titans score more touchdowns every chance they got.
Defensive-wise, the Titans, Brandon St. Aubin #60, Isaac Mora #55, Adam Harrison #66, and the rest of the Defense stopped the Offense during the two-minute drill, and they made the Trojans convert into a field goal which they did not make it and that was the turning point for the Titans to make their move.
At halftime, the score was 26- 7 with Grand Terrace High School Titans in the lead.
Titans were ready to go off after halftime as Quarterback, Jayson Stewart #5 passed the ball to Alijah Appleton #4 for a 90-yard drive scoring another touchdown, the crowd went wild and the student section, The Thunder Zone, chanted “Appleton, Appleton, Appleton,” and it is the excitement in the air that makes Friday Night Lights the best experience for our community.
On defense, the Titans played aggressively forcing the Trojans to fumble the ball and Exzavior Oliver #30 was quick to recover the ball and sprinted with full speed to put it on their own 20-yard line. It was at that point that Alijah Appleton #4 got an interception and returned it to their own 40-yard line.
The game was not much of a competition as the Trojans found it difficult to score against the Titans. Titans' Defensive players proved to be a strong line.
The Titans played their best to continue to score. On Offense, Devon Gusta #3 ran in a 3-yard touchdown adding more points to the scoreboard. Then back on Defense, Christian Gonzalez #9 got an interception and made it to their own 40-yard line.
Titans with another win and with all the excitement, it was a great opportunity to talk to Coach Mai’lo at the end of the game to get his reaction and thoughts on how the game changed after the second half and he said, “We got the strip, ran it back, and that kind of help to turn the momentum around and getting the big stop to miss the field goal. We made some adjustments on Defense to shut it down in the 2nd half.”
Next game, September 9, 2022, and we hope you can join us as the Titans go against Patriot High School (3-0). It is Veteran’s Night, and the Grand Terrace High School Football Program will be honoring many Veterans that have served our country for our freedom. Come out and help us honor the Veterans and at the same time support our Titans. We hope to see you there.