Image: Joanne Hewitt, used with permission via Ian Parks / Carter Dallas scampers into the end zone during the Grizzlies' 35-33 win over Prairie in Battle Ground, Washington Friday. Dallas caught a touchdown and had over 100 receiving yards in the road win, as well as several knockdowns on defence. 
By Ian Parks, Special to Fraser Valley Today
GW Graham football

GW Graham grinds out 35-33 road win over highly-ranked Prairie of Washington state

Sep 9, 2023 | 9:41 AM

BATTLE GROUND, WASHINGTON – After a convincing win in Week 0, the Grizzlies drove down 6-plus hours to Vancouver, Washington to play the Prairie Falcons, a top 3A school in the United States.

Friday Night Lights on US soil showed the tenacity of this team, with their first win, 35-33, over a 3A team in the states as a program.

The Falcons started on offence and had a scoring drive to go up 6-0. The Falcons went for a 2-point conversion, but were stopped by lineback Noah Sandau in the backfield. This was the first of many big plays that set the tone for this exciting game.

The Grizzlies answered back with solid drive of their own, and a 37-yard catch and run by WR Carter Dallas, thrown by QB Aiden Hewitt. In a back and forth game, there were multiple lead changes, in the first half. It was 14-13 with minutes left in the half with the Grizzlies marching when the Falcons intercepted a pass and returned it to the 2-yard line. The Falcons scored a late TD to go into halftime up 20-14.

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Head Coach and defensive coordinator Ryk Piche was extremely happy with the play of his defensive line adjustments, who were able to contain the Falcons QB after the first couple of series. DE Brayden Fraser (4 sacks, 7 tackles), DE Riley Ashley (3 sacks, 6 tackles), and sophomore LB Noah Sandau (3 sacks, 6 tackles) helped stop the run game. DB’s Carson Raine and Logan Murphy both had an interception to give their team a chance win. After a few halftime personnel changes, the Grizzlies shut the Falcons down in the third quarter, while the offence went to work.

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Coach Piche said, “We were missing 2 starters on defence tonight, and the rest of the team rallied to fill those roles. We played a tough opponent down here, and our guys didn’t back down one bit.”

Offensive coordinator Matt Paisley planned a well-balanced attack, through the air and on the ground. RB Maleky Colgiu had 2 TDs in the win, and QB Aiden Hewitt ran two TDs in as well as his opening drive pass to Dallas. Hewitt completed passes to WRs Michael Blair, Christian Beck, and Carson Raine as well.

Coach Paisley said, “I’m very happy with how we developed and came together as a team tonight. It really shows how much these players want to compete and go to battle for each other.”

Ultimately, it was special teams that won the game. Both teams scored 5 touchdowns each, and Riley Ashley was 5/5 on PATs, while the Falcons went for two-point conversions on two occasions, but were stopped both times by the Grizzlies special teams.

The Grizzlies next game is this Friday, September 15, at Exhibition Stadium against the South Delta Sun Devils. It’s the Grizzlies homecoming game, and they are looking to make a statement back in Canada with their students and family there to enjoy the game.

by Ian Parks, Special to Fraser Valley Today

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