Nathan Freeman, No. 16, connects with Frank Shepherd for a 20-yard completion. The Grizzlies beat the Miners, 26-19 Friday, Nov. 9. Photo by DJ Estacio

Nov. 13, 2012 — The Lassen High School (LHS) football team hosted the Yreka Miners Friday, Nov. 2 for the last home game of the season. It was a do or die situation for the Grizzlies because if they lost their season was over.

The Grizzlies walked away with a 26-19 win in overtime to beat them.

The Miners came to Arnold Field with a 7-2 record looking to enter playoffs strong with a win over the Grizzlies. But, the Grizzlies had different ideas in store for the Miners.

The Grizzlies posted a 3-6 record and needed a win to make playoffs or be the first LHS team in 17 years to not make playoffs.

After several of key defensive stops on fourth downs by both teams, the score remained 0-0 going into the second quarter.

After a nice, long drive by the Grizzlies to get the ball inside the 15-yard line, kicker Brian McDonald came onto the field to attempt a 23-yard field goal, which went right down the middle, giving the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead.

The Grizzlies got the ball again, and this time after some nicely caught passes by Frank Shepherd and McDonald, the Grizzlies were stopped on third down once again and McDonald had to try for a 42-yard field goal. The wind picked up right before McDonald’s kick attempt and took the ball just a little too far to the right, and he missed. The score remained 3-0 going into halftime.

The Miners came back out after the half and got a touchdown as their quarterback kept the ball on a keeper and ran the ball down the right side of the field for a monstrous gain. The Miners missed the extra point giving them a 6-3 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff Shepherd got a nice return on the play, only to fumble the ball. It looked as if the ball had hit the out of bounds line, but the referee said it was inbounds, giving the ball to the Miners.

Despite the momentum being in favor of the Miners, defensive end Kyler Harris recovered a fumble giving the ball back to the Grizzlies.

On the next drive for the Grizzlies Freeman threw an interception to one of the Miners’ cornerbacks and he got the ball down inside the Grizzlies’ territory.

The Miners scored on the second play of the drive on a 40-yard pass. This time they made the extra point, extending their lead to 13-3.

The Grizzlies weren’t done fighting. They drove the ball down into Miners’ territory late in the third quarter. Freeman connected with Shepherd on a nice 20-yard pass and Shepherd did the rest of the work, finding the endzone, making the score 13-10.

The Miners quarterback was on fire all game, and the Grizzlies couldn’t find away to contain him. He scored again this time, connecting with another receiver. The Miners’ kicker missed the extra point that would’ve given them a comfortable lead. With less than 10 minutes left in the game, the score was 19-10.

The Grizzlies were stopped on their next possession, forcing another punt to the Miners. Harris came up with a huge interception and ran it back down inside the 10-yard line where he fumbled the ball. Linebacker, David Vicondoa, was in the right place at the right time. He scooped up the fumble and dove into the endzone for the touchdown, bringing the Grizzlies to trail by only three points.

After yet another marvelous defensive stand by the Grizzlies, their offence marched back onto the field.

The Grizzlies methodically worked the ball down the field finding themselves down to the 29-yard line with less than three minutes to go in the game.

The Grizzlies had to settle for another field goal by McDonald. Colby Chavez received a nice snap and the ball went right through the uprights, tying the score at 19 apiece.

The game went into overtime. This time it was for all the marbles as the Grizzlies needed a win to stay alive and keep the 17-year streak alive.

The Grizzlies got the ball first in overtime and on the second play from the 5-yard line, Freeman connected with sophomore running back, Case Bennett for the five-yard score. McDonald came on and made the extra point giving the Grizzlies a 26-19 lead.

On the very first play from scrimmage for the Miners’, their quarterback fumbled the snap. Harris, who was all over the place the entire game, came up with the fumble recovery, ending the game and keeping the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes alive.

The Grizzlies will now travel to West Valley Friday, Nov. 9 for the first-round of playoffs.

Junior Varsity

The junior varsity (JV) team had a great game as they walked away with a 34-8 victory over the Miners.

Running back Kyle Barnetche got things started quick as he took the first play from scrimmage into the endzone for a 69-yard play.

Ammon Brietenstein intercepted the Miner quarterbacks’ pass, setting up Quinn Thomspon for his first rushing touchdon on the game.

Breitenstein was on the receiving end of the third touchdown with a nice leaping catch in the endzone for his first touchdown reception of the season.

Thomspon and Barnetche scored two more touchdowns on the game putting the game out of.

The JV squad finished the season with a 6-4 record.

Freshman

The Frosh got things started for the three football teams. They lost a nail-biter, 26-19.

Allen Miller got things started first for the Grizzlies as he took the hand off from quarterback Jordan Atkinson giving the Grizzlies an early 7-0 lead.

Kenny Jones, running back and cornerback, for the Grizzlies had a career night. Right before the half was over Jones intercepted a pass and took it to the endzone for an 80-yard return.

Atkinson connected with Miller for the Grizzlies’ last touchdown on the game.

Despite trying to do whatever they could to get back in the game, the Grizzlies fell just a little bit short.

The Grizzlies end the season with a 3-7 record.