The running game, solid tackling and a wild pass rush helped the Golden Valley Grizzlies win their season opener against the Westlake Warriors.
Golden Valley never trailed in the game, which ended 19-14, as the team was prepared for almost every shot Westlake threw.
The Grizzlies took an early lead thanks to rushing touchdowns from Jamison Torres and Anthony Seragusa. Torres is the team’s top receiver and safety, but coach Dan Kelley found another position where his senior could make an impact.
“Jamison runs pretty deep and he runs hard, he’s a football player,” Kelley said. “He caught the ball today as a receiver too. He never got out of the game. He played offense and defense. Then he walked out here and looked like he was going to a party.”
Torres scored another point in the third quarter to take a 19-7 lead.
Golden Valley’s defense was in top form from the start and finished the night with five sacks.
Westlake was inches away from taking the lead after the team scored a Hail Mary late in the fourth quarter to get within one point. The Warriors took advantage of some missed tackles and found the end zone on a long ball for their second point of the season.
“We have to make teams move the ball down the field,” Kelley said. “We can’t allow a long touchdown. It was a game down to the last play. It was a heavyweight battle tonight and we came out on top.”
The Grizzlies missed a one-point conversion and also failed at a two-point conversion, but the special teams saved the ball with an onside kick two minutes before the end of the game and thus sealed the deal.
Quarterback Brandon Contreras played well for the Grizzlies and will likely get more opportunities soon as Kelley looks to prepare his team for tougher defensive fronts.
“We’re not one-dimensional, but we need to work harder on our offensive base,” Kelley said. “We’re going to face some teams that we’re not going to be able to punch the ball to with any force. Our offensive line lost the ball and moved bodies out of the way. They played physical. Guys are going to be sore tonight.”
The Grizzlies picked up a handful of penalties that you wouldn’t expect in a Week Zero game, but Kelley knows his team can keep the field free of yellow flags.
“The guys played well, were physical and flew around,” Kelley said. “They had fun, sometimes too much fun. We need to work on our penalties. It was a big game for Golden Valley.”
The Warriors look to rebound at home against Agoura on Friday night, while the Grizzlies face a short week as the team heads to Antelope Valley on Thursday.
“It’s a short week for us. We play on Thursday,” Kelley said. “We have three days to prepare and play a really physical football game. We have an intense practice on Monday.”
