For the second consecutive year, Spring Valley defeated Bonanza in its annual “Banner Game” rivalry and was awarded a green banner.
The Grizzlies easily handled a short-handed Bonanza team with a 42-7 win, which included a running clock throughout the entire second half.
“Anytime you play a rivalry game, there’s extra energy. The kids play harder and there’s something on the line more than a win or loss,” Spring Valley coach Eric Dyer said. “We’re carrying that banner, and we don’t plan on giving it up anytime soon.”
Despite the lopsided score, it took Spring Valley (2-0) a couple of drives to get into the groove of the game. On its third possession, senior running back Cole Baer put the Grizzlies on the board with a 28-yard rushing touchdown to make it 7-0.
On its next offensive series, Baer was in the end zone again as he finished off a 43-yard touchdown run. Bonanza (1-1) had no answer for the Grizzlies’ running game, as Baer ended up with 249 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Baer can thank the Spring Valley offensive line for such a big night. On a majority of his runs in the first half, Baer was getting through the line of scrimmage untouched en route to big gains. In the first half alone, the senior had nine runs of more than 15 yards.
Bonanza got the score close at the end of the first quarter when senior Jorden Cintron returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bengals their lone points of the night and pulling them to 14-7.
Going into the second quarter, Spring Valley’s passing game, behind backup quarterback junior Lincoln Espiritu, got going with long scoring touchdowns. On the possession after Cintron’s kickoff return touchdown, Espiritu found senior Ryder Villanueva for a 14-yard touchdown to make it 21-7. The next time Spring Valley touched the ball, Espiritu connected with junior King Kahalewei for a 53-yard touchdown to blow the game open, 28-7.
Kahalewei made an impact on the game on special teams as well, as he returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown right before halftime to send the Grizzlies into the locker room with a 35-7 lead.
Overall, Kahalewei had two catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns, including one in the second half that expanded the lead to 42-7.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Grizzlies were not letting Bonanza move the ball. Bonanza had 80 yards of total offense in the first half.
Freshman Jameson Brooks led the defense with numerous pressures on the quarterback, including a sack. Brooks also made an impact on special teams, blocking a field goal early in the first quarter.
“This is our story to write,” Dyer said. “It’s our story to live, and I’m just happy to get a great win tonight.”
