Lilly Johnson
Owen Kelly, Senior
In a stunning upset, the Grassfield Grizzlies (2-5) defeated the Hickory Hawks (3-4) 28-17 in a thrilling rivalry matchup on Friday, October 18th.
The game was back-and-forth affair, showcasing the intense emotion and skills throughout both teams. Hickory took an early lead with a 3-point field goal in the first quarter.
Despite Hickory’s early lead, Grassfield quickly responded, showing determination which lead to a series of plays that won the game for them. The Grizzlies captialized on top of Hickory’s defense, resulting in a 15-yard touchdown pass and a 12-yard touch down pass. This allowed the offense to pull ahead.
Hickory fought to retain the control of the game, with Owen Kelly throwing two touchdown passes. Yet, Grassfield’s defense held together, preventing a comeback. The Grizzles secured the victory with an 8-yard touchdown pass.
Hickory led in total yards, with 274 yards compared to Grassfield’s 198. Hickory’s 174 passing yards and 100 rushing yards indicated a balanced offensive effort. However, Grassfield’s more efficient scoring opportunities untimately made the difference, with their 181 passing yards and a cruitical 17 rushing yards contributing to the win.