Golden Valley Grizzlies Surge Past West Ranch, Eyes Playoffs

UPDATE: The Golden Valley Grizzlies football team has kept its playoff hopes alive with a crucial 43-28 victory over the West Ranch Wildcats at College of the Canyons on Friday night. Junior standout Aaron McCormick dominated the field, rushing for 235 yards and scoring four touchdowns, propelling the Grizzlies closer to a playoff berth.

“This win was really big for us,” McCormick stated after the game. “We went into this with a mentality of ‘win or go home,’ and that pushed us to give it our all.”

The Grizzlies now prepare for a high-stakes showdown against the Saugus Centurions next week, where a victory would secure their spot in the playoffs. Currently, Golden Valley holds a record of 4-5 overall and 3-2 in league play. The stakes are monumental: a loss could eliminate them from playoff contention, while the Centurions, with a record above .500, could still qualify as an at-large team.

Head coach Dan Kelley highlighted the importance of next week’s game, urging his players to treat it like a playoff match. “You don’t deserve to be in the playoffs if you don’t win,” Kelley emphasized.

Adding to the offensive momentum, senior quarterback Jayce Johnson contributed 116 passing yards, completing 10 of 14 attempts, and added a rushing touchdown. Kelley praised Johnson for effectively managing the game, saying, “He made impressive decisions on the field, which is essential for our success.”

Golden Valley took a commanding 22-7 lead at halftime after responding to an early touchdown from West Ranch. The Wildcats scored first with a 42-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Blake Johnson to junior Charlie Samuelson. However, the Grizzlies quickly rallied, with McCormick scoring on an 8-yard run followed by another 9-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

The second half saw both teams exchanging touchdowns, but Golden Valley maintained control, scoring on all five of their red-zone trips. The Wildcats also had their moments, with junior Mesziah Ramos rushing for a 41-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

West Ranch head coach TJ Yonkers expressed optimism despite the loss, stating, “We are focused on the process and coaching our young players to ensure they’re ready when their time comes.”

With the regular season winding down, the Grizzlies are set for a decisive clash against Saugus next week, while the Wildcats will conclude their season against Canyon. As McCormick succinctly put it, “Win, win, win.”

Stay tuned for updates as the playoff picture becomes clearer!