Grizzlies cruise in opener, get set for Greenwood

The Grizzlies couldn’t have gotten off to a better start with a pair of defensive scores in their win over Rogers Heritage last week, but they didn’t stop there.

Chase Needham returned a War Eagle fumble 30 yards for a touchdown less than 90 seconds into the game and Anthony Travis returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown a little more than a minute later. Quarterback Derrick Wise also ran for a touchdown and threw for another all in the first quarter as the Grizzlies led 35-0 with less than a minute left in the opening quarter.

Northside rolled up more than 500 yards of total offense, including 374 on the ground. The Grizzlies defense limited Heritage to just 200 yards of total offense. Grizzlies coach Mike Falluer liked what he saw last week, but knows another challenge awaits in the form of Greenwood, the defending Class 6A state champions.

“I was really pleased and excited,” Falluer said. “We executed real well and didn’t turn the ball over. Greenwood’s a good football team. Our kids know them and to have a chance we have to play like we did last week or even better.”

Northside will have to try to contain senior Peyton Holton, who caught 101 passes a year ago but moved to quartertback this season.

“It’ll be very similar to last year,” Falluer said. “You got a guy who can run it, maybe not quite as good a passer as the Noland kid. But you gotta contain him and when you have an opportunity to tackle him, you gotta make the tackle. They are definitely a good football team.”