The Grand Terrace High School 2017 season came to a close on Friday, November 17, as the Titans lost to the Quartz Hill Rebels 36-13 in the CIF-SS Division 10 quarter-finals. Both the Titans and the Rebels were equally matched, boasting records of 10-1 in their respective leagues.
Heading into the game, hopes were high among Titan coaches, players, and fans. When asked how he felt being a part of this history making team, Head Coach Ryan Smalls stated, “It feels great! The kids have put us in a position where every day feels like paradise.” Players were also excited for what has been accomplished this season, “It’s an amazing feeling to be out here a part of this 2017-2018 football team making history multiple times this season alone, and many more to come,” says Manuel Camacho, a Junior at GTHS, who will be returning next season.
The Grand Terrace loss was the result of errors and turnovers. Two fumbles, two interceptions, and a well played onside kick gave the Rebels the upper hand in the game. Smalls recognized turnovers as the cause of the team's defeat, “You can’t win games like that. It’s nobody’s fault, just plays that happened in the game. It was 10-0 before we knew it, and then two fumbles in the red zone…not much to say.”
After shaking hands in good sportsmanship, Coaches and players huddled up to share some encouragement and sentiments with each other, “You guys spilled your guts all year long...at the end of the day you're all my sons,” Coach Chris Ma’ilo tells his “D-Block.”
Isaiah Tamasaolii, a senior who plans to continue his education in Engineering, summed up the season, “We balled out, did what we needed to do, and that’s football!”
The Titans end the season with a record of 10-2, and their first appearance in the quarterfinals. The new season will resume in August of 2018.