Grand Terrace Titans went into the night ready to beat Yucaipa Thunderbirds for the first time in their 6th meeting between these two teams since Grand Terrace High school was opened. Yucaipa Thunderbirds were looking to start the season positive with a win in this season opener. The words of Offensive Line Coach Billy Mixon of Grand Terrace when asked about beating Yucaipa’s 3-4 defense, “Our plan of strategy is to double team the 3 man front using the tackle and guard combo helping out with the center.”
Yucaipa chose to receive first and so they did with a 60-yard return by David Fisher #6 but got tackled down at the 38-yard line on GT’s side. After being stopped after 3 downs, Yucaipa chose to kick a 35-yard field goal but it was no good. GT punted the ball on their first drive.
Thunderbirds started on the 30-yard line with 3 minutes left to go into the half. Quarterback, Casey Graf #10 passed to David Fisher #6 on a quick screen pass who broke loose and bolted down the sideline with GT defenders on his tail but he was too fast ending with a 46-yard touchdown.
Grand Terrace with a minute left drove the ball downfield a few deep passes setting them up in the redzone with seconds running down but the referee took his sweet time putting the ball down so GT were not able to snap the ball getting Coach Smalls furiously upset and he yelled at ref for ruining their chance to score before half. The time expired going into the half with the score 14-7 Yucaipa on top.
At the start of the second half, GT Titans came out on offense with Corey Young #18 at Quarterback and Jaden Wells#4 was on the sidelines with his shoulder wrapped up in ice.
The first drive for Grand Terrace ended with a punt. The Yucaipa Thunderbirds started on their own 20-yard line and were driving after getting 3 first downs off run plays. They came out winning at the line of scrimmage running smashmouth football. David Gusta #60 broke free up the middle and smacked the Yucaipa’s Quarterback in the mouth for a sack that made it third and long. Pressure from the D-line forced an over thrown pass into the arms of Dominic Balderrama #3 of Grand Terrace.
After 2 bad snaps Corey Young #18 was running for his life and got hit by a gang of Thunderbird defenders recovering the fumble for Yucaipa. Yucaipa took advantage of great field position with a 20-yard passing touchdown to Austin Bolinger #11 from Casey Graf #10 which made the lead 21-7 with 4 minutes to play in the 3rd quarter.
After getting the ball back, Grand Terrace ran a pitch to Troy Steptoe #1 deep passed it to Lonzel Bradford #13 leaving the corner in the dust breaking off for 65-yards for a huge momentum shift touchdown. Making the game 21-13 Yucaipa.
Yucaipa started on the 25-yard line and ran a quick screen pass to Austin Bolinger #11 catching the GT defense off guard and broke off for 45-yards finally getting tackled down on the 30-yard line with 6 minutes left on the clock. On 4th and two a 15-yard pass to Austin Bolinger #11 extended the drive 3rd and goal at the 1-yard line. Justin Stevens #44 plunged in the pile of players for the 1-yard touchdown 27-13.
First play of the drive Corey Young #18 launched a ball to Dominic Balderrama #3 who came out with the ball behind the defender breaking free for another huge touchdown getting the crowd pumped up cheering and stomping their feet with joy making the stands shake back and forth making a comeback with the score being 27-20 Titans down by 7.
Yucaipa after a great return of 65-yards and a game saving tackle by Gavin Huxhold #6 snatching Yucaipa’s player David Fisher's #6 ankles tackling him down, they started their drive on the 29-yard line of GT looking to secure the win with a touchdown. Dylan Powell #24 ran through an open hole to the left corner of the endzone beating the safety for the touchdown for a huge drive that made the lead 34-20.
With 2:30 left on the clock in the 4th quarter Grand Terrace was not giving up, with the offense running out there with the energy to get back into this game with a touchdown. After a couple first downs off penalties Corey Young #18 threw a prayer that was intercepted ending the game 34-20 with the Titans (0-2) for the season.