Granite HIlls hosts Mendota in playoffs

Two generally run heavy teams who may have to deal with the elements could have to slug it out on Friday night in the Central Section Division VI quarterfinals.

No. 4 seed Granite Hills (8-3) will host No. 5 seed Mendota (6-5) in the playoff game set to begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Rankin Stadium. "It could get into a slug out game," Granite Hills coach Carl Scudder.

If the two teams are forced into a "ground and pound" game as Scudder put it will depend on the weather. It's almost assuredly going to rain - and rain a lot on Friday night - but the question is if the rain will arrive during the game or not come until later Friday night.

Scudder said the key could come down which team is able to force the other to throw the football more than it wants. While the Grizzlies have faced mostly balanced teams this year, Scudder has liked how his team handled run heavy opposition this year. "I think we've done a fairly good job of stopping the run and forcding teams to pass," he said.

About Mendota Scudder added, "they like to run the ball a lot. They throw it a little bit."

And Scudder noted if the rain comes during the game neither team may be able to throw the ball. Turnovers are always a key to any game but could especially be a key on Friday night if the game is played in the rain.

"I think whichever team does a better job of holding onto the football has a better chance to win the game," Scudder said.

Scudder said his team and Mendota have both done a good job of running the ball and stopping the run which isn't surprising, he added, because most teams that run the ball well also do a good job of stopping the run.

No matter the style of Friday's game or the conditions Scudder again believes his team is ready for whatever the situation is. "I think we've done a good job of running the football and throwing the ball when we wanted to," Scudder said.

In last week's 28-14 first round playoff win over Tranquillity that meant not having to complete a pass in the entire game. The Grizzlies rolled up 397 yards of total offense all on the ground led by Rocco Oropeza, who rushed for 210 yads on 15 carries.

The Grizzlies have two other outstanding running backs in Jojo Magana and Xavier Fernandez and their balance in the running game was shown by the fact Magana and Fernandez also each had 15 carrires. Fernandez gained 90 yards and Magana added 77 yards.

Granite Hills may have the advantage as Mendota just can't focus on one running back. That's not the case with the Aztecs, who heavily depend on Anthony Trinidad. But Trinidad has had an outstanding season as he has rushed for 1,153 yards and 21 touchdowns.

He's also an outstanding receiver with 14 catches for 219 yards and two scores. Freshman Jonah Silva is Mendota's leading receiver with 34 catches. Sophomore quarterback Will Hernandez has passed for 938 yards.

Mendota played in an extremely tough league this year with league losses to Liberty Madera, Coalinga, Dos Palos and Chowchilla. Mendota advanced to Friday's game by rolling to a 41-7 win over Fresno Christian.

The Aztecs have also played a number of teams the Grizzlies have played this season. Mendota has wins over Tranquillity (49-32), Corcoran (48-23), Strathmore (14-12) and has lost to Woodlake (59-24). Granite Hills also has wins over Tranquillity, Corcoran (35-7) and Strathmore (28-23 and lost to Woodlake (49-31).

Granite HIlls hosts Mendota in playoffs

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