A touch of class
Following the Grizzlies overtime loss to the Bulldogs, Baker head coach addresses the Fruitland players

By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
scottf@argusobserver.com
Saturday, October 3, 2009 11:33 PM PDT

Scott Ford | Argus Observer; The Fruitland Grizzlies let the Baker Bulldogs slip away Friday in a non-conference matchup in Fruitland during the Grizzlies homecoming game. Fruitland and Baker ended regulation in a 28-28 tie, but Baker was able to convert in the overtime session for the win. A Fruitland defender (pictured right) lets a Baker player slip through his grasp in the second quarter of action. The loss drops the Grizzlies to 3-2 on the season. Fruitland will travel to Homedale Friday for a Snake River Valley Conference showdown.

Fruitland—In a non-conference tilt, the Fruitland Grizzlies and Baker Bulldogs gave the Homecoming fans plenty to cheer about Friday night with an overtime special, where the Bulldogs were able to escape with the 34-28 victory in Fruitland.

Despite the game being everything the fans could want — plenty of lead changes, big plays and controversial calls — the real action took place following the contest.

After the two squads shook hand, and after the Grizzlies sung their fight song to the crowd, a classy action occurred.

Baker head coach Dave Johnson asked Fruitland head coach Bruce Schlaich if he could address his team.

“I want you guys to know, you are the toughest opponent we have faced this year,” Johnson told the dejected Grizzlies.

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Johnson went on and called out two Fruitland players — Justin Wallace and Daulton Blackwell — and  heaped on the praise.

For Wallace, Johnson said, “Son, your one heck of a ball player, keep up the good work,” and for Blackwell he said, “You would be a starter on my team.”

Schlaich said of the comments Johnson doled upon his team, “I think it shed a little light from another prospective for them. Hopefully, they will take something from that as well,” he said. “It was a classy thing for coach Johnson to do.”

The game ended in a 28-28 tie, which forced the Kansas City style overtime, which allows each team to run its offense from the 10 yard line, with hopes of collecting the most points to determine the winner.

Baker shut down the Grizzlies on three straight plays, so Schlaich opted for the field goal on fourth and goal. Reed Johnson lined up the tee, but his kick sailed wide left.

Baker responded with a touchdown on its second play in the overtime for the win.

“They (Fruitland) are a well coached, good football team,” Johnson said. “They make plays when they need to. We just got it done tonight. A win on the road against a team like that, we’ll take it.”

The Grizzlies had their chances late in the game following a Lucas Crim interception with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Crim retuned the way-ward Baker pass into Bulldog territory, giving the Fruitland offense one last shot at victory.

However, that opportunity came to a fumbling halt on a quarterback to running back exchange, and Baker recovered.

“We have had issues with that same exchange in the past,” Schlaich said. “I thought we had that worked out, but I guess not. In that situation, we cannot cough up the football, and in the final few minutes we did it twice.”

Schlaich said both teams played a great ball game, but added the outcome came down to a couple of mental mistakes.

On a positive note, the Grizzlies defense did a good job of shutting down Baker’s Stephen Talbot, who Schlaich touted as an exceptional running back.

For the game the Griz held Talbot to 60 yards rushing.

“We played a great game defensively,” Schlaich said. “Crim had a pair in interceptions, Reggie Ramirez picked one off, so we felt good about our defensive effort. And we felt good about our offensive effort. We just made those mistakes late and that was the difference in the ball game.”

Schlaich said in the overtime session, Baker switched up its defensive look with a 50-front and that might have confused some of the blocking assignments.

Even in defeat, Schlaich said he saw enough positive things to build on as the Grizzlies prepare for its next game — a SRV battle against Homedale on Friday.

“We can take a lot of positives from this game, We had some kids step up in a good way, and after we watch the film, we will see more, I’m sure,” Schlaich said.

Baker 34, Fruitland 28

Baker    0     14     7     7     6     -     34

Fruitland     7     7    7     7     0     -     28

Scoring Summary

First quarter

Fruitland — Blackwell 8 yd run (Johnson kick)

Second quarter

Baker — Talbot 2 yd run (Run fail)

Baker — Richardson 42 yd pass from Brown (2-point pass good)

Fruitland — Blackwell 8 yd run (Johnson kick)

Third Quarter

Fruitland —Blackwell 21 yd run (Johnson kick)

Baker — Talbot 32 yd pass from Brown (Kick good)

Fourth quarter

Fruitland — Martin 3 yd run (Johnson kick)

Baker — Talbot 6 yd run (Kick good)

Overtime

Baker — Everson 24 yd pass from Brown (No PAT)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Baker: Talbot 15-60. Fruitland: Blackwell 15-91, Martin 23-107, Warrington 6-55.

PASSING — Baker: Brown 12-24-3- 192. Fruitland: Wright 1-3-0-20.

RECEIVING — Baker: Richardson 4-58, Durfinger 3-46, Talbot 2-37, Everson 3-51. Fruitland: Graves 1-20.