Bradshaw Christian dampens Golden Sierra’s homecoming

GARDEN VALLEY — Bradshaw Christian's football fans got a real treat Friday night. Golden Sierra's halftime homecoming celebration featured float after float honoring the school and the community  — the ROP firefighters, auto shop, wood shop/construction, the mentoring group and even the local pizza eatery all had entries.

The festivities included a musical presentation by the band, class floats and the homecoming royalty. The night's only dampener was Bradshaw's 41-14 victory.

"I knew Bradshaw was fast and powerful. I watched them against Colfax and heard everyone say that Colfax rolled over them," Grizzly coach John Hilton said. "But I saw something different — a big team that used power to move the ball up and down the field all night. Their only problem was turnovers and penalties. They come at you and just keep coming."

Bradshaw had nine penalties for 90 yards in Friday's game but last season's Sierra Delta League champion with its 33-man roster dominated the 18 Grizzlies suited up for the game. It took the Pride nine plays and less than three minutes to score on the opening drive of the game on a pitch from quarterback Kevin Williams to L. J. Upshire, who dove in from the 3-yard line.

Golden Sierra went three-and-out and a short punt set the Pride up with good field position for a second scoring drive that ended with Taylor Blackford's 8-yard run to pay dirt.

The real damage was done by 5-foot-11, 210 pound running back Louis Correia, who never scored but did the bulk of the work between the 20s. The Griz had no answer for his speed and ability to find holes and burst through for big gains. He primarily played defense in the second half but in his two quarters of work, Correia gained 88 yards on 14 carries.

The Pride used nine backs on the night for a total of 271 yards. Blackford (81 yards) scored four times and Erik Dulock accounted for Bradshaw's last touchdown in the third quarter that extended the lead past the 40-point mark to bring on a running clock.

The Griz absorbed the pounding and bent but didn't break, and came back in the fourth quarter to prevent the shutout. After exchanging back-to-back turnovers — the Griz on a Pride interception of quarterback Mike Aplanalp's pass and the Grizzlies on a fumble recovery — Jim Hansen looked to the middle, then cut outside and outran a host of defenders 23 yards to the end zone. Bryson Campbell's extra-point kick split the uprights and Golden Sierra was on the board.

A bad snap on the only Bradshaw punt of the night put the Griz at the Pride 46-yard line for the next series and Aplanalp let loose on the first play from scrimmage, finding Connor Barla for a 46-yard bomb. Campbell's kick was good.

"We're going to be just fine," Hilton said after the game. "I'm so proud of the kids. They never stopped playing because they have respect for the game and respect for their school and themselves. Tomorrow's a new day."

Golden Sierra managed just 10 first downs; Bradshaw, which clamped down on its offense and didn't run up the score, picked up 20. The Grizzlies totaled 237 yards of offense, including Aplanalp's 117 yards passing to receivers Barla, Hansen, Shawn Alexander and Connor McDonald. Hansen ran for 46 yards and Aplanalp rushed for 79.

And for those waiting for results of the homecoming celebration — last year's king and queen, Jason Piparo and Kelcie Leach, were on hand to crown the 2011 royalty, Katie Christner and Zach Marshall. The junior class won the float competition and the Georgetown School leadership float was second.