Valencia, CA — The Warriors fell to the former PYFL champion SC Grizzlies, formally Burbank Vikings combined with the Highland Bulldogs in Palmdale. The first home game of the season was a bit less fun and really full of lessons. The Grizzlies and the Warriors play a very different brand of football. One side played as a team and through the whistle and the other welcomed personal foul penalties every other play and had a few elite athletes and that's it. The game on Saturday afternoon was a tale of two halves. The Grizzlies had never seen a team like the Warriors. Receiving the ball in the first half, the Warriors handed it to Levi right behind the outstanding right side of the line of Johnny, Elijah, and Roman. Levi broke a big run off tackle and behind fullback Jace. He was caught within the 5 yard line and Dylan F. punched in on the QB sneak right over Johnny and Hayden. The Grizzlies broke a fast run around the edge on their first possession and then the Warriors moved the ball down the field gaining first downs along the way. by the time the Grizzlies looked up at the play clock Dylan F was throwing a 10 yard first down pass to Jace at the TE spot and there was 4 minutes left in the half. The score was 6-12 at halftime Grizzlies. The team was down a few players due to various reasons and were stretched thin. The second half started off with a kickoff return for a TD by #1 of the Grizzlies who has special athletic talents. The Warriors went on to fumble the next two drives and giving up quick scores. The Warriors gave up 30 points in the third quarter and that was about it. Levi scored a TD midway through the 4th quarter. Jace had an interception that he fought Jaden for and Dylan F showed his normal grit through the last second on the clock tracking down ball carriers in the box and across the field. This was the first time the Santa Clarita Warriors (and their families) had played a team like this. This team was trained to try to inflict pain and damage while our team has learned a trap play where our backside guard pulls and the fullback bellies back through the 4 hole. We were proud of our boys and our coaches for not retaliating after the relentless block in the backs, peel back blocks, late hits, head to head spears, and unacceptable behavior from the sideline. We told the boys they can feel bad about this loss for a little bit (I said an hour) and then it's on to the El Rio Spartans! Week 4 is at Canyon HS @3:00pm. - Coach Mike