GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – The Gridley Titans youth football league has had all four of its teams advance to the playoffs after the regular season!

The Titans 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U teams challenged rivals at the Saturday, October 22 playoff games. Titans 8U battled the Las Plumas Jr. Thunderbirds and the 10U team took on the Corning Jr. Lions, both games at Durham High School. The 12U and 14U teams traveled to Colusa High School for their games. 12U put their skills to work on the gridiron after an undefeated season against Las Plumas. 14 U played against the Colusa Jr. RedHawks.

All teams put forth an outstanding effort on the field, including the never-ending spirit of the Titans Cheerleading Squad.

The Titans 8U and 10U teams both lost in their respective championship games. Titans 8U would head home with a score of 20-14, favoring Las Plumas. The loss comes after a season record of 6-2. Titans 10U would succumb to Corning, the final score being 36- 0 in favor of the Jr. Lions. That 10U team also finished with a 6-2 record overall.

The 12U Titans smashed the Jr. Thunderbirds 32-0 and the 14U Titans crushed the Jr. RedHawks. Both teams moved on to the final championship game of the season, held at Willows High School on October 29.

The 14U team, under the direction of head coach Daniel Zumwalt, took on the Willows Jr. Honkers on Saturday afternoon. Willows would have the home field advantage, but the Titans defense held strong sending the teams to halftime with the score knotted at zero. The Titans would put the first numbers up on the scoreboard in the third.

Marcus Duncan threw a deep pass into the end zone, caught by Jace Griggs for the touchdown. The Jr. Lions would answer back, pulling away from the Titans and ending the game with a score of 25-8.

Zumwalt said that he was very proud of his team and their progress over the season, finishing 9-2 overall. He nominated four players for the All-Star game, saying that his all-star nominations were not based on stats, but their overall performance, effort and resiliency.

This year's 14U All-Stars are Marcus Duncan, Chase Erkhe, Manny Sandoval and Bernardo Rodarte. Benny Dewsnup was an honorable mention for his defensive work during the game. Zumwalt thanked his fellow coaches for their dedication and support. The Titans 14U assistant coaches are Joe Dewsnup, Jahm Ehrke and Reider Krog.

The 12U Titans played against the Corning Jr. Lions. Head coach Tony Luquin said that a stand made by the Titans defense early in the game set the tone for the rest of it and galvanized the team’s offense and defense. 

Corning had run the ball to the five-yard line into Titans territory. Titans defender Elliot Jimenez tackled the ball carrier on first down for a loss of yards. As Corning regrouped for second down, Jose Gullion tackled the ball carrier for another loss of yards. That was followed by another tackle on third down by Hudson Oakley, forcing the Jr. Lions to try for a field goal. They missed. 

From there on, the Titans controlled the ball. It would be Chandler Dixon, who put the final nail in the coffin, initiating the mercy rule and securing the title of champions with a 37-0 win. 

Luquin said that he had “a great team and the best part of it was that they were pretty humble and didn’t let it go to their heads. They went out and played their best,” Luquin continued. “They didn’t assume each game was a win.”

He added that as a team, the 14U Titans scored 260 points in 10 games and only allowed two touchdowns in those 10 contests.

Luquins said some players of note include the offense’s Michael Sandoval with 122 yards rushing and one touchdown. Elliot Jimenez had 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Chandler Dixon recorded 20 yards rushing and the last touchdown of the game, hitting the mercy rule line. On defense, Hudson Brewer had a fumble recovery return for 55 yards and Talon Sannar intercepted the ball and returned it 30 yards.

 “This team was one of the most balanced teams I have coached,” Luquin said. “They understood what kind of team they could be with hard work and dedication, and they were able to accomplish that in the championship game.”

Luquin thanks his excellent assistant coaches: Chris Oakley, Brandon Oakley, Kyel Richey and Dillon Longmire.

“Without them, none of this was possible,” he said.

Luquin's All-Stars are Elliot Jimenez, Michael Sandoval, Hudson Brewer and Nolan Shirley.

The Titans 12U and 14U All-Stars will move on to the Shriners Bowl held at Sacramento State on November 12. The Sacramento Youth Football Leagues’ (SYFL) North Section All-Stars will take on the SYFL South Section squad.