Friday August 31st marked the annual celebration of past, current, and future brave men and women that have served and will serve our country. The Grand Terrace High School Football Program honored men and women from all branches of service in their annual Veteran’s Night celebration. A towering "We salute you" poster set an atmosphere of reverence and honor for the night. In addition, the stadium was illuminated especially for the Veterans with posters reminding friends, family and fans to "Welcome Veterans," "Honor Our Heroes," and "Remember the Fallen" not only on this special night, but always. Each Veteran was individually recognized with name, branch of service and rank being announced throughout the stadium. Members of GTHS's Football Team, Cheer Squad, and Band created a human corridor of cheers, smiles and hand-shakes for the honorees to walk through. Fans were also on their feet cheering in a show of support and homage to these American heroes.
Immediately following such an honorable ceremony, the game began as Hillcrest showed what their offense can do through the air with a quick strike to the Receiver Ryan Howard #2 and with blazing speed outran the whole Defense to score for an early touchdown to take a 7-0 lead for Hillcrest Trojans.
After an electrifying return for 30-yards to the opposing 45-yard line by Justin “Dash” Robles of the Grand Terrace Titans, they had a good first drive getting 3 first downs but the drive ended with 0 points after a failed 4th and goal attempt on the 6-yard line.
After a punt by Hillcrest, Grand Terrace Titans kept the same confidence from the last drive going with a couple passes to Lonzel Bradford #13 and Eldrick Weaver #5 for first downs. Mekhi Lewis #12 threw it to his open man Lonzel Bradford #13 on a 25-yard touchdown pass to tie the game up 7-7.
Next possession Hillcrest trying to get their passing game going with a few screen passes while Elijah Garcia #1 had other plans and caught and intercepted the ball and had a beautiful return and while at the same time he threw a man on the ground and took it to the house for 6! Refs called it back to the 14-yard line. So Mekhi Lewis #12 lined up at shotgun, and snapped the ball and threw an open fade to Garret Ostrinski #15 for a toe taping touchdown.
Grand Terrace Defense has the Hillcrest crowd silent after forcing a consecutive punt. Grand Terrace started a drive on their own 20-yard line to go on an 80-yard drive and cap it off with a 27-yard touchdown to Eldrick Weaver #5.
Grand Terrace Defense looking like they improved on stopping the passing game by keeping Hillcrest out of the end-zone since the first quarter. Hillcrest found a weakness in Grand Terrace’s defense by taking advantage of it executing outside runs then scored with a 7-yard touchdown on a Quarterback draw by Camren Payne #1.
Coming out of halftime Grand Terrace is looking to secure this lead while Hillcrest is trying to stop the Grand Terrace hot Offense with an already hurt Mekhi Lewis #12 under center. After punts from both Offenses on their first drive, Hillcrest got good field position on the 42-yard line. Hillcrest Quarterback Camren Payne #1 threw a couple first downs to Isaac Perez #88 then had a run of his own for 30-yards to the 7-yard line. Lupe Prieto #6 made a big play by picking off the Quarterback of Hillcrest for a return of 8-yards.
Mekhi Lewis #12 took a hard hit by a gang Hillcrest Defenders but was able to limp off the field. Grand Terrace had to bring in their backup Quarterback Samson Rodriguez #17 to finish up the drive. Samson Rodriguez #17 showed potential as he threw a deep pass to a leaping Lonzel Bradford #13 down to the 20-yard line. Then threw his first Varsity touchdown on an 8-yard pass.
With seven minutes left and Hillcrest being down 28-14, they need to put together some good drives to make a comeback. On the next drive for Hillcrest, they had a few good plays passing the ball. On a broken run play, Andrew Quiroz #8 stripped the ball from the Running Back leading to Troy Steptoe #27 picking up the fumble to secure the win in the final minutes. When the clock hit zero, Grand Terrace Titans defeated Hillcrest Trojans 28-14.
Grand Terrace became 2-1 as they won their second game of the season. With this win, it will build up their confidence and swagger for their next week’s matchup as they compete against Santiago High School for the first time. Hillcrest fell to 1-2 as they get ready for their matchup versus Kaiser High School next week.