Grizzlies go down fighting vs. top-ranked Dewar

GANS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

DEWAR – Gans proved its mettle in a tough playoff game Friday at Dewar by showing up and scoring more points against the top-ranked Dragons than any other opponent has all year.

The healthy Grizzlies’ offense was able to move the ball in ways Dewar couldn’t shut down. However the Dragons’ offense couldn’t be contained during their 78-20 victory over Gans, putting an end to the Grizzlies’ season.

Gans head coach Brian Morton was pleased with the way the offense was able to move the ball early. Now that the team is healthy, Morton wants to use the offseason to build the defense’s strength to help get them ready for next year.

“Offensively, passing the ball, we did some things right,” Morton said. “I feel like we passed the ball very well by starting off with a bunch of short passes, because our quarterback didn’t have much time, and they were strong up front. So by setting up everything like that, we got ‘em biting on those short passes early, which opened up some long passes that we converted into touchdowns.

“Defensively, to be completely honest with you, there really wasn’t a whole lot we could do to stop them. They’re ranked high for a reason, because they do what they do very well,” Morton said.

“We knew that going into it.” The Dragons are the top-ranked Class B team in the state, with an impressive 11-0 record and hopes of making it to the state finals again this year.

“They’re a big, strong, fast and physical team, I mean they’re solid. Year in and year out, they’re the ones always picked to have a good shot at winning the championship.

“We moved the ball well. We did have three interceptions, but throwing it almost 90% of the time, you open yourselves up for that. We really tested their secondary, I mean, even their coach said that we really pointed out some weaknesses on their defense, which is a big compliment to our passing game,” Morton said.

“Here’s the thing, we’re returning every skill player, and even though we finished with this lopsided score, offensively we did some things this year that will carry on to next year, and that’s a huge positive for our program.”

With the Grizzlies healthy and able to work together during the last few games of the season, Gans was getting enough experience to call audibles on the field, and that shows growth, especially against a team that’s the caliber of Dewar.

Outstanding players this game were Nakota White with his 55-yarder, which got the Grizzlies into scoring position, as well as Caleb Martin, who was a standout player, too, pulling in some incredible catches for Gans.

Clay Martinez scored on a hook and ladder initiated by Martin, that ended up being a 60-yard scoring play called by quarterback Hunter Walters.

Martin ended up scoring twice, with Martinez getting into the endzone once and White punching the extra points after the last touchdown.

With the foundations Gans has built this year, the program next season should be able to build on the success of 2022. The Grizzlies should be able to continue to build their strength in the weight room, as well make their off-season conditioning and Summer Pride practices a bigger emphasis of their preseason routine as well.