Run with the Lopes
Grizzlies turn to the ground to dispatch A. Valley
LANCASTER — Golden Valley senior running back KJ Maduike practiced against linemen all week preparing for the Grizzlies’ season opener on the road against Antelope Valley High of Lancaster.
All of his, and the rest of the Grizzlies, dedication to practice paid off Friday night as the running game ran rampant and the defense shut out the Antelopes 28-0 at Antelope Valley.
“In our scrimmage (last week) my coaches noticed I wasn’t running hard,” Maduike said. “They sat there and said, ‘KJ, that’s not you.’ So I practiced. They kept pounding the ball. I went up against linemen to get ready for this game.”
Maduike led Golden Valley (1-0) with 138 yards on 20 carries and opened the scoring with a 54-yard rushing touchdown after breaking away up
the left sideline late in the first quarter.
Golden Valley stuck with the run for most the game, giving six different players the rock.
The next Grizzly to break the Antelopes defense was junior Jalin Lewis, who is listed as a wide receiver and cornerback.
Lewis only carried the ball a handful of times, but he found a way to break free for a 97-yard touchdown with a minute and 12 seconds left in the first half to put Golden Valley up 14-0.
“We wanted to run the football,” said Golden Valley coach Dan Kelley. “Our first drive was 11 plays and we couldn’t put it in. And I told the kids that’s our goal. We need to run the football to open up other things.”
The Grizzlies opened things up in the second half with the offensive line
creating holes for junior quarterback Michael Marquez, who added depth behind starting signal caller Josh Valano.
Both of Marquez’s scores came in the third quarter, rushing for a 3-yard touchdown and a 34-yard score to put the Grizzlies up 28-0.
Marquez finished the night with 58 yards rushing on four carries with two TDs. Valano had a tougher go in his first varsity start, going 6-for-14 on the night.
But Golden Valley’s defense won the turnover battle against Antelope Valley (0-1) quarterback Morrell Osling III.
The Grizzly defense sacked Osling III twice as well as picked him off twice and recovered a fumble.
“Our defense, they’re lights out,” Maduike said. “They fly to the ball. They pursue everything. This game goes to the defense and to my O-line.”