Within the relatively small SoCal city of San Marcos lives two major rivals: San Marcos High School and Mission Hills High School. The Discovery Bowl is easily one of the biggest bragging rights that both schools go to war for each year. The entire community got ready for the biggest football game of the year through school events and the Chick-Fil-A challenge. When Friday came, everyone knew that at 7p.m., under the floodlights, it was time for battle.

   “Getting the win against San Marcos always feels good but to do it on your home turf just makes it mean so much more,” Anthony Nunez (12) said.

   San Marcos kicked-off, and as soon as the Grizzlies got the ball, everyone could feel a touchdown coming. Jackson Oksnee (11) was leading the front line and created many great plays to start the team off strong. Within a short succession in the first quarter, the Grizzlies were able to get two important touchdowns by Zeke Mata (12) which had the Growl Crowd and the home fans going crazy in the stands. 

   In the second quarter, the Grizzlies kept pushing in hopes of gaining more of a lead on the Knights. Jackson Oksnee (12) was able to find space in the pocket and find a wide-open Robert Thorton (12) to make the score 20-0 going into halftime.

   Going into the second half, Mission Hills kicked off to San Marcos and the Grizzlies were not letting San Marcos get close to their endzone. Mckee So’oto (11) scored the opening touchdown of the half with an 11-yard rushing touchdown to make the score and Zeke Mata converted the extra point to make the score 27-0. A few minutes later, San Marcos punted the football back to the dangerous Skai Donnell (11) and he was able to run through the entire San Marcos line to score another touchdown making the score 34-0 after Zeke Mata’s (12) extra point. The quarter ended 41-0 after another Grizzly touchdown right before the fourth quarter. In the final quarter, San Marcos was able to score a touchdown, but the Grizzlies ended the game on top with the final score being 41-7.

   After the game, all the Mission Hills players were very energetic about the win. All the players were filled with emotion and did not want the night to end. They were thankful for all the support throughout their season that lead to this success. The Grizzlies have a game Nov. 15 against La Costa Canyon and will continue their fight to bring the CIF trophy home. 

   “I want to thank my family and teammates for constantly supporting me. I think this game was the perfect way to end the regular season, but now we have to focus on the main goal of the season: CIF,” Mata said.