Grizzlies force the action in 35-12 victory

VACAVILLE — Behind an aggressive defense that produced four turnovers and a run-oriented offense that found the end zone four times, Golden Sierra picked up its second win with Friday’s 35-12 Sierra Delta League victory over host Vacaville Christian.

The Grizzlies had three interceptions — one that Brian Cann returned for a touchdown — and a fumble recovery. A turnover by the Griz on their first play gave the Falcons the ball inside Golden Sierra’s 10-yard line and they went in to score.

“Turnovers have plagued us in our last two games and when we fumbled on the first plan I thought ‘here we go again,’” Grizzly coach John Hilton said. “But the kids responded, held them from there and we scored the next 35 points.”

Vacaville did manage a fourth-quarter touchdown but Golden Sierra ran out the final eight minutes and took several knees to end it.

“We had a game plan and the kids executed,” Hilton said.

Trailing 6-0, Daniel Lesher scored on a 34-yard run to put the Grizzlies up 7-6 and they extended on Adam Sewell’s 17-yard touchdown run and Cann’s interception return to lead 21-6 at the half.

Cameron Stephens’ 66-yard return of the second half kickoff had Golden Sierra in good shape. Quarterback Bryson Campbell’s sneak was one of two third-quarter scores for the Griz — the other was Sewell’s 1-yard run.

Golden Sierra threw just four times, completing two. Campbell was 1-of-3 with a 12-yard pass to Samuel Steward while Gracen Christensen found Stephens for 17. On the ground, the Grizzlies ran for 208 yards led by Lesher (10 carries, 72 yards), Sewell (14-67) and Campbell (9-44).

“We wanted to attack and were able to get outside on the sweeps. That and running off tackle were basically the only two plays we ran as we were never in long (yardage) situations,” Hilton said.

Defensively, Zander Mishler recorded 13 tackles, four for losses. Steward had 12 from his middle linebacker spot while Kyle Hensman and Cann each had nine. Stephens added seven, Sewell and Christiansen six each and Justin Eicher, Brian Agee and Austin Mason five apiece.