Grand Terrace High School and Colton Yellowjackets has had a cross-town rivalry ever since Grand Terrace open up their school in 2012. Colton Highschool is only 5 miles away but just going down “Jap hill” turns into Colton. Since this rivalry has started, Colton won the first three meetings and Grand Terrace has won the last three making this game the rivalry record tiebreaker.
Grand Terrace needed to stop the Colton Yellowjackets high-powered rushing attack to come out with a win. Colton’s #1 goal was to stop Mekhi Lewis #12 from running around the pocket to make plays for his team.
Grand Terrace tried a quick onside at the start of the game to get a quick turnover. Colton started the game dominating the line of scrimmage with 8 running plays to score on a 1-yard QB sneak for a touchdown by Joseph Resendez #14.
Grand Terrace found pay dirt with a 48-yard bomb by Mekhi Lewis #12 to Lonzel Bradford #13 for the touchdown 7-6.
Colton’s Brennan Ramos #11 broke off on the second play of the drive for a 67-yard dash to the end zone for a touchdown.
Grand Terrace started to get their groove passing for first downs and running for two more ending the drive with another 5-yard touchdown connection by Lewis #12 to Bradford #13.
Grand Terrace had another solid drive but Lewis #12 running away from 3 defenders and while carelessly holding the ball with one hand and fell and fumbled the ball giving it back to Colton.
Grand Terrace Titans looked to score with 2:16 left before halftime at the 17-yard line. Started it off with 2 passing first downs then a 30- yard pass to Corey Young #18 to get them into goal line territory. Grand Terrace have a big fourth and goal play on the 3-yard line with 19 seconds left. Grand Terrace tried to run the ball outside left but was stopped behind the line of scrimmage to end the half.
Grand Terrace Titans looked to run the ball as well as pass to find some open passing lanes to get back into this game. Colton needed to keep dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Colton Yellowjackets tried to score on the first drive of the game but an interception by Damion Williams #4.
Grand Terrace still tried passing the ball after 2 first downs when Colton blitzed 6 getting a forced pass by Lewis #12 to the defensive end Dominic Saucedo #42 for the interception to turn the momentum back to Colton Yellowjackets.
Yellowjackets on their second drive tried to drive down the field running the ball with hurry up offense tiring the Grand Terrace defense. With Brennen Ramos #11 finishing the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run carrying the Colton offense down the field with his punch in the mouth running. 20-12
Williams #4 had a 50-yard kick return to wake up the Grand Terrace crowd and get them fired up. Grand Terrace tried to sling the ball but after another drop pass by a GT receiver, as Colton intercepted the ball in the endzone.
Colton tried to extend the lead by passing the ball but Williams #4 had enough of that and jumped over the receiver to snatch it out for an interception. Next play Mekhi Lewis #12 got picked off by Derick Rabadan #34.
After a turnover on downs Mekhi Lewis #12 found Damion Williams #4 for a 50-yard dime getting tackled down at the 3-yard line. Lewis #12 took the game into his hands and ran to the pylon for the touchdown getting the crowd loud and exciting, shaking the stands because they know bragging rights for a whole year is at stake. Game tied at 20.
Grand Terrace forced Colton to punt and started their drive at their own 35-yard line. On 3rd and long once again Lewis #12 showed off his cannon of an arm throwing a beauty to Williams #4 for a 45-yard connection to set up the Titan’s in the red zone. Lewis #12 connected to Bradford for a 21-yard touchdown catch to get their first lead of the game 27-20.
Colton’s first play was a force fumble by Ryon Sheppard #28 that was returned by Ryan Wright #59 for the 30-yard fumble recovery touchdown to put a dagger into this game 34-20. With 5 minutes left.
Colton tried to pass the ball but it hasn’t worked so far and continued to not work when Troy Steptoe #27 intercepted the ball as the crowd goes crazy and the Colton crowd becomes emptier as the seconds run down and Grand Terrace Titans win the rivalry game for the 4th straight year by a score of 34-20. The game was very suspenseful and had everyone on their toes, as Coach Smalls shrugged it off and was happy with the win has this to say, “The kids pulled it out, but we should have done it in the first half and not wait for the fourth quarter, that’s giving me grey hairs.”
After a hard-fought win Coach Ray only had one thing on his mind… the next opponent as he said, “Tough game on to the next one.”
Grand Terrace winning makes them one of the two teams starting 3-0 in Sunkist league play and is going on the road next week vs Summit Skyhawks. Colton Yellowjackets becomes 2-1 and third in Sunkist league standings. Colton High School is looking to be spoilers next week and get an upset win against a tough undefeated Kaiser squad.