Panthers break 3-year drought against Grizzlies

A three-year winning streak for Granite Hills over Porterville was discontinued Friday night. The Porterville Panthers (5-4) put an ended the Grizzlies’ season on a low note, beating them 41-29, at Jamison Stadium, Friday night.

“Our kids just figured out how to be focused, and have a good week of practice,” said Porterville coach Rick Stewart.

Porterville’s defense tightened up its line and didn’t let Granite play its game.

“Coach Stoddard does a really good job with that offense. We had to put a lot of time into film,” said Stewart.

Granite (1-9) had a chance to show just what made its offense dangerous as of late coming out of the locker room when Adam Castillo dashed 63 yards in the third quarter for a touchdown.

Porterville looked to stop Granite’s rivalry win streak right away and showed everyone this as Mitchell Kurz blocked a Granite punt. Getting the ball in Granite territory, Porterville’s David Ali got the ball inside the 10, setting up his team for the first touchdown of the night. Daniel Rueger caught a ball near the end zone and ran it in to get the first points on the board.

“Daniel just keeps going and going,” said Stewart, “he is like the little energizer bunny.”

Granite came back and got the ball to the one-yard line when quarterback Nathan Cordova kept the ball and scored the Grizzlies’ first touchdown.

Porterville’s defense held Granite tight and gave their team another chance to score. After the Panther’s offense got the ball down the field to the nine-yard line, Porterville’s quarterback Richie Coppenbarger found Rueger for yet another touchdown.

Getting back on defense, Porterville yet again stepped up and Coppenbarger intercepted a pass thrown by Cordova. After passing the ball and getting it down field, Coppenbarger threw a 31-yard pass to Josh Callanan who caught the ball while he was covered by two of Granite’s defensive players and Cordova got a hand on it.

With the ball on the 49 yard line and just seconds away from the half, Porterville ran a hook-and-ladder play and Coppenbarger found Callanan, who ran the ball and handed it off to Rueger who brought it to the four-yard line. Callanan scored the touchdown and went to score a two-point conversion.

“I think we lost because we gave them a cheap touchdown at the end of half,” said Stoddard. 

Half time ended with Porterville up 19-7.

Coming back into the game the Panther’s showed no sign of giving up their lead as Callanan caught a ball that amazed most of the stands, causing the game announcer to step outside of usual objectivity and say, “What a spectacular one-handed catch.”

After Porterville scored yet again, Granite’s Zach Aguilar ran the ball all the way to their 32-yard line. Aguilar was stopped by Colby Quinton and Tre Davis.

Granite continued to move the ball and Castillo scored another touchdown for Granite.

Porterville regained possession when Granite’s attempt at an onside kick failed. They moved the ball as they did all night and Eddie Mendez scored a touchdown, which was followed by Ali’s two point conversion.

Porterville’s defense continued to hold Granite’s offense until Cordova ran the ball himself, scoring for his team and followed it up with a two-point conversion.

Porterville didn’t back down as Tyler Moody got the ball to the one-yard line and Coppenbarger scored another touchdown for Porterville.

As the game winded down and it looked to be over, Granite’s Ceaser Cordero ran the ball 53 yards to score, Cordova followed by scoring another two-point conversion. 

Granite just didn’t have what it takes to top Porterville’s defensive line.

Granite has beaten Porterville five out of the seven times that they have played in EYL. Stoddard hopes in to get back on the winning side next year.