Grizzlies crush Tigers on Homecoming

Sullivan tries to move the ball downfield against Payton last Saturday at Lane Stadium.
(Randy Baran/For Pioneer Press)

October 17, 2007 By HABEAB KURDI Contributor

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Seven players pushing in tandem throttled Payton to a 41-6 win over Sullivan last Saturday.

After "starting off kinda slow," the Grizzlies turned a 16-0 halftime lead into a runaway route as the senior-laden offensive line willed defenders out of the way to open up holes, leading to four rushing touchdowns on the day.

"We just took their weight down the field and ate some clock up," Payton head coach Brian Billings said. "We physically wore them down in second half. We just pounded the ball upfront on them."

The veteran line of solid seniors including Chris Querfurth, Brian Reed, Joshua Williams, and Mark Del Valle has led Payton to an undefeated conference season at 6-0 in the Inter-City South (6-1 overall).

Looming long and large as a seven-man line, Payton puts tight end tandem Clark Zachocki and Neil Dikman-Malonis in to help strengthen the running game. The two proved powerful once more, emboldening the Grizzlies' key component.

Behind the line Floyd Stewart got in on the scoring spree with two rushing touchdowns, one going for 20 yards.

Taking control and putting Payton ahead Tony Gerhart picked off a pass and took it 30 yards for the first score of the game and a 6-0 lead. Gerhart added a rushing touchdown in the first half to account for all but two points, as Dikman-Malonis plowed into the backfield for a safety and 16-0 halftime lead.

Quarterback LeRoy Gordon kept an option run and swept to the outside for a rushing touchdown in the second half.

Payton plays Al Raby, 7 p.m. today at Lane Stadium.

Senn 34, Juarez 8

Overwhelming on the ground, through the cold air, and dominant on defense, a slick Senn team torched Juarez 34-8 Thursday at Jorndt field.

Another ferocious game for Frankiem Mitchell led the offensive surge for the Bulldogs (3-5, 2-3 Second City).

Mitchell needed just 14 carries to gain 168 yards on the ground, including a 10-yard touchdown scamper.

Not forgetting to hammer his mark on both sides of the ball Mitchell's monster game on defense helped Senn force three turnovers. Mitchell had an interception to go along with 13 tackles.

Lamar Clinton clobbered Juarez as well, forcing two fumbles in the victory and recovering one himself.

Showing smart decision-making ability quarterback Bruce Williams was steady as he rushed and passed for over a combined 200 yards. Through the air WIlliams had 120 yards on 4-of-7 passing. He also tallied two passing touchdowns and ran for 85 yards on 10 carries.

The Bulldogs got another score on a Cody Gillard rushing touchdown from the 10-yard line.

Senn faces Taft, 1 p.m. Saturday at Lane Stadium.