On October 28, 2022, the Varsity Grand Terrace High Football Titans won the San Andreas League Championship as they beat Rim of the World (ROTW) with the final score of 41 – 27. Also, the day before the F/S GTHS Football Titans also beat ROTW winning San Andreas League Championship and making GTHS history! “Congratulations Seniors, way to end it on a Senior Night, San Andreas League Champs, back-to-back, first time ever that both levels win back-to-back,” says Coach Jackson who is proud of both teams.
The night began as the Football, Cheer, Band & Color Guard seniors were honored as they walked down the red carpet with their families for the Senior Night celebration organized by the Grand Terrace Football Program.
Senior Legacy Committee (SLC) was in the house with an informational booth & sold raffle tickets for a Senior Portrait Session donated by Gates Photography. Senior Shouts were also announced before the game, so a lot of Seniors were able to hear special messages from their families & friends. It was great to see the support of City Council member Bill Hussey (Mayor Pro Tem) who continues to support the youth in Grand Terrace and also send several Shout Outs.
The Terrace Hills Middle School band made their presence as they performed with Legacy Regiment Marching Band & Color Guard. They opened up the Friday Night Lights evening with great music we all enjoy listening to at a football game as well as the National Anthem.
You could not miss the little GT JAAF football players as they ran through with the “Time to Tackle Breast Cancer” sign that the Titan Pep Squad designed and held up for Titans to make their entrance.
The excitement was in the air and the adrenaline was pumping as it was time to step into the field and get the game started. Everyone knew that if the Titans lost, this could have been their last high school game. Titans knew they wanted the championship, so they gave it their all.
The first opening drive ROTW decided they wanted the ball early so they did an onside kick and they got possession of the ball which the Titans immediately got upset. ROTW was playing well and scored the first touchdown of the night & the crowd on the visitor’s side roared with excitement while the home side & Thunder Zone section got upset. It was up to the Titans to turn things around and get GT Community crowd off their seats and cheer with enthusiasm.
With the star Quarterback out, it was all for Devon Gusta to step in as QB and lead the GTHS Football Titans to their Championship. His first play was when he passed the ball to Exzavior Oliver #30 and he ran it all the way to score the first touchdown for GT. The score was now 7 – 7 and you could hear the GT crowd cheering loud as it was clear the momentum was about to begin.
The second touchdown was scored by Devon Gusta #3 as he ran the ball for a good yard. There was a flag on the play on ROTW when Aundrea Molina #43 tried to kick the ball, so coaches made the call to go for 2 which Titans did execute the play and the score was now 15 – 7 GT with the lead.
Legacy Regiment Marching Band & Color Guard gave a wonderful halftime show and the Grand Terrace Titan Community, Thunder Zone, families & friends were all hyped up knowing that the Titans were leading, and it was looking good to win the league championship.
In the 3rd quarter, Titan, Joseph Flores #8 kicked the ball to ROTW and Special Teams did a great job getting the Titans by their 20-yard line. Later, ROTW tried to do an onside kick again, but they were unsuccessful, and Titans recovered the ball. At this point, Devon Gusta #3 ran it for great yardage but there was a flag on GT, so the Titans ran the same play as earlier to score another touchdown by Gusta putting more points on the board, 34 – 14.
It was clear that both teams came into the game planning to use their stout rushing attack and in the 3rd quarter, Titans started to pull away with big plays that helped them pull away and added two more touchdowns to the scoreboard.
By the 4th quarter, with the scoreboard looking optimistic, GT was already celebrating knowing they had a good chance to be league champs but that is when ROTW scored another touchdown making the Titans a bit nervous. Titans were putting up a fight and scored a final touchdown making the final school 47 – 21 and the GT crowd goes wild as they see the San Andreas League Champions jumping up and down celebrating their big WIN.
Titans played their absolute best, and nobody can take this night away from them. Now they are ready for the play-offs, they are hungry for the ring and if they continue to play like they have all season, then they can make it happen for sure.
“Seniors, congratulations 2022 League Champions.” Message from Coach Mai’lo.
“Congrats Champs! We are proud of you, and we want to wish you all the best as you continue to compete for a chance to win CIF.” Message from Titan Mom Elvira
Grand Terrace Football Titans are now off to play-offs and their first game will be home as they go against Harvard-Westlake High School. Join us for an exciting Friday Night Lights football game on November 4 at 7 pm at Grand Terrace High School.