Small and mighty Golden Sierra wins with iron man football

GARDEN VALLEY — Nothing's changed in the Griz Dome. With just 18 players suited up for Friday night's football game, many of the Golden Sierra team played on both sides of the ball.

But thanks to three days a week devoted to conditioning, the Grizzlies are up to the challenge of iron man football and Friday it was Hiram Johnson's turn to take a beating, shut out by the Griz 34-0.

For first year coach, John Hilton, being 2-0 so far this season is rewarding. The Grizzlies don't concentrate on wins and losses. They work on being successful.

Hilton gives his staff credit for "Building great young men and showing them hard work can be fun." With this sound work ethic, Hilton and the Grizzlies are off to a solid start to the season.

Golden Sierra keyed on its running game again this week; five Grizzly running backs had 20 or more yards on the night. But it was more than the running game that broke down the Warriors. The Grizzlies made several changes after last week, especially working on gaining confidence in their passing game.

Quarterback Mike Aplanalp was able to complete several passes to back Jim Hansen in key situations, thanks to the work of the offensive line.

"They (the line) did a great job of protecting Mike. He was able to get comfortable in the pocket," Hilton said.

It only took Golden Sierra minutes to score its first touchdown when Aplanalp threw a bullet to Hansen on a slant up the middle for a 48-yard touchdown reception. After the defense stopped the Warriors' next drive, senior Cisco Lesher rambled off tackle for a 50 yard run to set up the option. Aplanalp handed off to Hansen, who threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Alexander.

Connor Barla, who made some key tackles on defense, then got the call on offense and took the hand off for an end around 20-yard touchdown scamper. By the end of the first quarter Golden Sierra was comfortably ahead 21-0.

The Grizzlies added one more touchdown before the end of the half when Hansen steamed ahead on a strong toss to the right and took it in from 5 yards out.

Just before the end of the first half, Hiram Johnson hustled downfield into field-goal range. With no time left on the clock, the attempt was blocked, Hansen made a leaping catch of the blocked ball and took off running. But with an open field ahead, Hansen tried to switch hands at the 50-yard line and fumbled it away to end the half with the Griz on top 28-0.

Hilton used the second half to give all his players game time, but much of the half was riddled with penalties — nine for both teams, many of them called for an illegal block in the back.

While the offense remained quiet, the defense stepped up and controlled the pace of the game. With Grizzly linebackers and defensive ends crashing around in the trenches, Johnson had nowhere to run. The few times the Warriors did attempt to pass, they were nearly intercepted.

Alex Salyers sacked Johnson quarterback Demarco Sanderson for a 1-yard loss and Nate Duvall also caused havoc with the Warrior offense with six tackles and a key pass deflection that stopped a potentially large gain by Johnson.

Most of the second half saw various Grizzly defenders chasing down and interrupting anything the Warriors tried.

The Grizzlies tacked on the final touchdown of the game with 7:21 left in the third quarter. Aplanalp connected on three separate passes, one to Hansen for 8 yards, and two to Alexander, including a 22 yard touchdown toss. The extra point attempt hit the upright and went wide right. Aplanalp finished the night with 98 yards on seven attempts.

With much of the Grizzly bench in the game in the fourth quarter, Johnson continued to struggle. The Warriors managed to get four first downs in the period but couldn't capitalize on any of their drives thanks to a swarming Grizzly defense that hammered Johnson's quarterback.

Grizzlies Ryan Echeveria, Hansen and Brian Agee ran Sanderson from sideline to sideline on almost every play in the fourth. Echeveria eventually caught up to Sanderson and sacked him for a 7 yard loss. Agee had two tackles and recovered a Warrior fumble.

Alplanalp gave way to junior Bryson Campbell with 2:53 left in the game — game experience he'll need for next year. He took care of the ball and ran the Grizzly offense for a series of plays.

Golden Sierra easily handled the once powerful Johnson Warriors but face a tougher test Friday when the Grizzlies travel to take on Bear River.