UGMS Dominates Palo Alto

Union Grove Middle School Gold Team-28

Palo Alto Middle School A-Team-0

The Union Grove Grizzlies set the tone for this game during the initial kickoff. The Grizzlies kickoff team caused and recovered a fumble. The Grizzlies offense proceeded to score its first six points off the turnover. Five fumbles caused and recovered by the Grizzlies, and 22 points later, earned the Grizzlies its first AFC Conference win (1-0) and fourth victory overall (4-0).

The Grizzlies defense got their first shutout of the year by making the Palo Alto Patriots fumble the ball 6 times. The Grizzlies recovered all 6 fumbles. Outstanding defensive players were Chris Lewis (1 sack, 2 fumbles caused and 1 fumble recovered), Micheal Williams (2 tackles for loss and 1 fumble recovery), Michael Woods (1 caused fumble), Ryan Turck (1 caused fumble and 2 fumble recoveries), Ethan Atkisson (1 fumble caused and 1 fumble recovery, which he ran back for 20 yards) and Danyawn Pettus (1 fumble caused and 1 fumble recovered).

On offense, the Grizzlies faced their toughest opponent yet. The Grizzlies spread the ball around for their scores. Jordan Harris was the leading scorer with 2 touchdowns. Thai Goodwin had 1 touchdown and 1 two-point conversion. Brandon Walls had one touchdown, and Brian Thomas had 1 two-point conversion. Thomas was also the leading rusher and set up several of the Grizzly touchdowns with tough runs. Philip Bryant caught a crucial 1^st down pass late in the game from Quarterback Troy Smith, and the offensive line of Michael Cassell, T.J. Piekarski, Stephen Crowder, Dominic Holt, Taylor Norvell, and CJ Bobbitt picked up the Palo Alto blitzers for a strong second half of offense.

The Grizzlies Gold Team will play again next Tuesday, October 13, 2009, against the Live Oak Ridge Middle School Lobos at Union Grove.

Union Grove Middle School Red Team-14

Palo Alto Middle School B-Team-0

The Palo Alto Patriots challenged the Union Grove Grizzlies during the first series of the game by driving all the way to the 3-yard line. The Grizzlies defense dominated from there and kept the Patriots out of the end zone en route to their third shutout of the season. The Grizzlies offense secured the victory by scoring twice during the fourth quarter to give the Grizzlies its first AFC Conference victory (1-0) and fourth victory of the season (4-0).

Outstanding defensive players for this game were Mitchell Anderson (1 tackle for loss), Aric Austin (2 sacks and 1 tackle for loss), Devran Perkins (1 tackle for loss), Andrew Lankford (2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss) and Andrew Rose (1 sack).

On offense, fullback Jason Viruet rushed two yards for his first touchdown of the season and the grizzlies first score of the game. Quarterback, Carlson Goode connected with tight end Tristyn Anderson on a 25-yard pass for the second touchdown. Goode also hit receiver Raquine Johnson for the two-point conversion completing the grizzlies scoring. Other outstanding players on offense included Armond Brady, D’Undre Mitchell, and Corey Shedrock.

The Grizzlies Red Team will play again next Tuesday, October 13, 2009 against the Live Oak Ridge Middle School Lobos at Union Grove.