No. 6 Tesoro starts with loss to Mission Hills

LAS FLORES - The hard running of senior Chad Dobbins and the timely play of an aggressive Mission Hills defense proved to be too much for No. 6 Tesoro.

Dobbins carried 26 times for 140 yards, while the Grizzlies defense held Tesoro to less than 200 total yards, as Mission Hills rallied for a 13-10 victory in the season opener for both teams Friday night at Tesoro High.

“We worked so hard for this in practice and got it done today,” said Dobbins. “Our focus was on wearing them down.”

The defeat snapped an 11-game home winning streak for the Titans (0-1), who last suffered a home loss on September 28, 2007, a 28-7 decision to Esperanza.

“They deserve the credit by coming out here and beating us,” Titans coach Brian Barnes said. “We just have to find our identity and get better.” 

After a slow start by both teams, special teams helped the Grizzlies get on the scoreboard first. A 70-yard punt return down the left sideline by Justin Malishan helped set up a 28-yard field goal by Carlos Hernandez. Mission Hills took a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Titans defense came up big in the second quarter, as Zach Hartman and Wittock each nabbed an interception. Grizzlies senior starting quarterback Aaron Hauser was also knocked out of the game with a left wrist injury.

Tesoro finally showed some offensive life midway through the second quarter. Senior quarterback Brett Mason guided the Titans on a 56-yard drive that ended when he lofted a touch pass to Wittock, who got his feet down in the back left corner of the end zone, giving Tesoro a 7-3 advantage.

The Grizzlies’ had a late drive into Titan territory just before halftime, but a sack by senior Erik Nelson ended the threat.

The Titans increased the lead to 10-3 early in the third quarter on a 41-yard field goal by senior Ian Sellar, but the Grizzlies responded minutes later, as tight end Dallas Butler took a short pass over the middle from backup quarterback Hunter Moore, broke a tackle, and raced 79 yards into the end zone to even the score at 10.

Following a Tesoro fumble on their ensuing possession, Dobbins gashed the Titans defense with tough runs up the middle, helping them drive deep into Titans territory before Hernandez booted a 35-yard field goal to give the Grizzlies a 13-10 lead early in the fourth.

Tesoro had one last chance to score points, driving to the Grizzlies’ 28-yard line on the next possession, but Mason was stopped on a fourth and inches run.