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Ready to be graded (701 words)
Despite facing a dominant Southwest Foxes squad, the Grizzlies led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. Any hope of cruising to an easy win was quickly dashed, however, as the Foxes scored twenty-three unanswered points and kept the Grizzlies from finding the endzone the rest of the game. The Grizzlies had to settle for a field goal in the fourth quarter, and another Foxes touchdown was the final nail in the Grizzlies' coffin. The 13-30 result means that the Grizzlies fall to 1-1 (although they remain at the top of the division), while the Foxes remain a perfect 2-0.
There were bright spots for the Grizzlies, even in the loss. Forrest Gump continued to display his brilliance, as he ran for one hundred and twenty-three yards on thirty-one attempts. Safeties Martavius Mack and Brayden Larosee combined for ten tackles, one pass defended, an an interception. Linebacker Guy Nikko recorded a team-high eleven tackles, and defensive end Frasier Crane played a beastly game, recording five tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.
Linebacker Quenton Bode stepped up his game, as well. He finished with nine tackles and two passes defended, both increases from his previous game's numbers. We chatted with Bode about his performance (and more) after the game:
Question: Was this game that the Foxes won, or that the Grizzlies lost?
Answer: "Eh, it was a little of both. The Foxes played well, certainly. Terry Taffy was every bit as tough to handle as we thought he would be." [Editor's note: Taffy scored two touchdowns on his way to one hundred and twenty yards on twenty-one carries.] "Their defense was a force, too. They made some big stops, and forced turnovers to keep the momentum up. Basically they played really well, and we just weren't able to keep up with them."
Q: How has this loss impacted the team morale?
A: "It's always tough when you lose. But we're not letting it affect us. We still got three games left to play, and even more after that if we play well. So we're recognizing that the Foxes had our number today, we're figuring out where we can improve, and we're focusing on the next game. Again, it really speaks to the great group that we have here that we're able to bounce back so quickly and easily. I'm sure that by the time we play next, this game will be just a distant memory."
Q: Let's talk about your next game. You're scheduled to play the Pacific Owls, who are currently winless. Do you expect them to be a challenge?
A: "Of course they'll be a challenge. This is the Prospect Bowl, after all. Every player on that field has DSFL and NSFL potential. Yeah, they're off to a slow start, but that doesn't mean they aren't still a talented team. If anything, that makes them even more dangerous. They're gonna fight hard to get that win, and if we get overconfident, we'll get beat, plain and simple. It'll be a challenge, but it's a challenge that we're more than capable of meeting."
Q: Last question. Now that you've had a few games with them, are there any of your teammates you hope to keep playing with in the DSFL?"
A: "Oh man, I'd keep this whole team if I could. The chemistry, the attitude in the locker room, the teamwork on the field---this team has it all. A group like this only comes around once in a while, and you gotta treasure it while it lasts. But it can't last, unfortunately, so we're enjoying the ride. And odds are that some of us will end up on the same DSFL team. But that bond will stay with us going forward, no matter what jersey we wear."
Next week, the Grizzlies take on the Pacific Owls in their final road game of the Prospect Bowl. The Owls will be looking for their first win, while the Grizzlies hope to reclaim a winning record.