GTHS Win Brings League Standing to 20

By: Conrad Valadez

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Conrad Valadez

Photo Description:

Titans quarterback Ralph Mohammad (#2) looks for an open receiver.

History was made once again last Friday night, when the Grand Terrace High School (GTHS) Titans recorded their first road victory in school history against Fontana High School with a final of 28–21, bringing Grand Terrace’s current record to 4–3 overall and 2–0 in the Sunkist league play. The match was played at Fontana High School, who celebrated their homecoming. The Steelers wasted no time in building a 14–0 lead before Titans’ senior quarterback Ralph Mohammed (#2) trimmed the lead by scoring a rushing touchdown but missing the two-point conversion in the second quarter. Fontana answered back with 1:12 left in the first half by scoring another touchdown to build the lead to 21–6. The Titans once again faced a deficit, with both teams’ defenses not allowing any points for most of the third quarter until 11 seconds left when Titans’ quarterback Mohammed scored his second rushing touchdown of the night (and a missed 2-point conversion) to bring the score to 21–12 Steelers. At the top of the fourth quarter, Titans’ defense played with determination and shut down the Steelers’ offense. With 6:14 left in the game senior kicker Luis Lopez (#41) connected on a 25-yard field goal to make the score 21–15 still in favor of Fontana. The Titans’ defense, still not allowing anything positive for the Steelers, stopped them once again. With 3:37 left in the game Titans’ senior running back Cruz Duke (#21) connected on a 14-yard touchdown halfback pass to senior tight end Joe Ayala (#87) (Blocked PAT), to tie the score at 21. Fontana, with plenty of time to recapture the lead, received the kickoff. The Titans’ defense continued to outplay the Steelers’ offense when Titans’ sophomore linebacker Tyler Valentine (#47) stripped the ball from the Steelers’ ball handler and caused a turnover. Still tied at 21 and time running down, the Titans drove down the field with 16 seconds left on the game clock. Titans’ quarterback Mohammed hit tight end Ayala for the game-winning touchdown (PAT is good). In the game, Mohammad had 17–19 passing carries at 161 yards and one touchdown; 15 rushing carries, 114 yards and two touchdowns. Duke had 8 rushing carries at 56 yards (with over 1,000 yards for the season; five catches and 66 yards receiving. Ayala had four receiving catches, 31 yards and two touchdowns. Cameron Terry (#25) had three receiving catches and 41 yards. On Thursday, Oct. 17, the JV Titans brought home a 33–12 win against the Steelers and the freshman team brought home an 8–7 win against the Steelers. The JV team will meet the Colton Yellowjackets Oct. 24 at GTHS stadium at 3:15 p.m. The freshmen will travel on Oct. 24 to Colton High School to take on the Yellowjackets at 3:15 p.m. The next varsity game is Friday, Oct. 25, where the Titans will host the Colton High School Yellowjackets at 7 p.m.