Golden Valley football let the bear out of the cage early Friday night in their 34-12 victory against West Ranch in their last game of the Foothill League season.
With 14 points in the first quarter, the West Ranch (5-4, 1-4 in Foothill League) defense was unable to stop Golden Valley’s USC commit DeGabriel Floyd both in the air and on the ground.
Floyd inflicted the damage by way of a 10-yard touchdown run and a 29-yard TD catch in the first half.
After a short field goal, West Ranch started the second half in a 17 point hole, but wasted no time in trying to climb out of it with a 34-yard TD pass to wide receiver Ryan Camacho at the start of the second to score the only points of the quarter.
A shift in momentum came when Wyatt Eget hit Camacho with a 60-yard touchdown pass. West Ranch was within eight points of tying the game.
Inspired by the score, the Wildcats defense recovered a fumble on the following drive but were unable to make the Grizzlies (5-5, 2-3) pay.
The Grizzlies sideline regained energy when Floyd ran for a 17-yard score. The West Ranch offense seemed to be deflated after the run with only 11 minutes to go. The scoring run also left the backfield vulnerable and helped receiver Jalin Lewis get open for a 30-yard receiving TD, leaving the Wildcats with no hope.
After huddling together with his team, coach Dan Kelley was optimistic for the future of the team.
“I’m proud of the way were moving along into the playoffs. I think we’re going to roll right in there and we’re looking forward to it,” said Kelley.
Kelley also hopes his team can fine-tune their game going into the playoffs.
“In the playoffs you’re one and done and if you play sloppy football or if you give the other team yards like we did tonight, you’re not going to make it to the next round,” he said.