SODA SPRINGS – The American Falls Beavers were in a close game at halftime in Soda Springs, leading 12-0, but Zak Grigg helped spark the opening goal early in the third quarter as the Beavers ran away from the Cardinals on Friday night.
After forcing Soda Springs into a quick three-and-out just after halftime, Grigg took a handoff from quarterback Dax Brower on the first play of the ensuing possession and sprinted 58 yards to the end zone, extending the Beavers’ lead to 19-0. American Falls never looked back, taking a 26-8 win in Week 0.
American Falls head coach Tim Hoppe had high praise for his junior running back.
“Zak never gets tired,” he said after the game. “He never leaves the field — football, basketball, whatever sport he plays, he never leaves. … He’s a natural. Last year we made fun of him a little bit because he made a lot of long runs and never scored — he got caught from behind. Not tonight.”
Grigg, who celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday, paid particular tribute to his offensive line.
“I only had about 13 yards in the first half. I knew I had to do something different, so I just followed the blockers at the line and they did what they had to do,” he said. “(The offensive line was) phenomenal. With that group in front of me, I’m going to have the best season I’ve ever had.”
Grigg finished the game with 135 yards on 13 carries, scoring his first touchdown of the year.
Before the game, both coaching teams emphasized the importance of line play on both sides of the ball.
“Whoever blocks and tackles better will win 90% of football games,” said Hoppe before kickoff.
Soda Springs co-head coach Scott Gambles said his team needs to be more aggressive to win, but agreed with Hoppe.
“We have to block better (than American Falls) and tackle better – that’s what this game is about,” he said before the game.
Perhaps both coaches were right, and American Falls had the advantage in both categories.
The Beavers dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, but especially on offense, allowing five runs of more than 20 yards – including Griggs’ touchdown and a 60-yard touchdown run by fullback Adrian Carvajal.
This line play also gave Brower enough time to score two touchdowns with experienced wide receiver Austin Adair.
American Falls was also more secure in tackling, breaking through several tackles on the way to long touchdown runs, but prevented the Cardinals from retaliating.
Hoppe was particularly pleased with his linebackers.
“I’m really excited about our linebackers – I’m even impressed by them,” he said.
He called senior Michael Torres the team’s leader and driving force, and said junior Ty Smith played despite his ailing condition and “suffered on every play” while leading the defensive effort.
However, the coach was particularly pleased with rookie linebacker Thorne Rose. He said the young man was always close to the ball, but added that at times he wasn’t sure if Rose was even supposed to be there or if he was just reading the offense skillfully.
Hoppe had hoped for the full defensive effort, which included an interception by junior Brian Lopez in the first quarter.
“I would have liked to have kept a clean sheet, but at the end of the game you have to bring in the substitutes and that’s what happens sometimes,” he said.
Hopes for a shutout ended in the final minute of the game when Soda Springs quarterback Cooper Thompson ran for a 36-yard touchdown.
The Cardinals will be licking their wounds before preparing for a visit from Ririe.
American Falls will get right back to work preparing for its home game against rival Aberdeen. Hoppe said preparations for next Friday will begin on Saturday.
“I’ve already told them — I’ve been telling them all summer — if we’re 1-8, that win better belong to Aberdeen,” he said, adding that he couldn’t remember the last time American Falls beat Aberdeen, but noted that last year’s final score was a close 12-8. “I think we have a better team than last year, so we have a real chance.”
And what does birthday boy Grigg have planned? He said he hopes to have dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then return to the (virtual) field and end the evening with some NCAA Football 25.
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