ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - On Friday, Oct. 25, the Pleasant Grove High School Eagles hosted the Elk Grove Thundering Herd at Sheldon-Pleasant Grove Community Stadium. The two high school campuses are a mere 3.5 miles apart but the two approaches to the game plan were worlds apart. The Herd featured a punishing ground attack led by senior quarterback David Hale while the Eagles relied on the passing arm and decision making of senior quarterback Cole Davis.

The Herd and Eagles entered the game ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the Delta League, respectively. The Eagles came out with a hard-fought victory, winning 31-14 and avoiding a decade-long losing streak against the Herd. The Eagles victory also snapped Elk Grove’s six-game win streak.

The first half of the game saw a see-saw scoring affair with each team taking advantage of an opponent’s fumble to score a touchdown plus an extra point. Then the Herd put together an impressive run-laden drive that took up almost the entire first quarter and resulted in seven points. With eight minutes left in the second quarter the Eagles embarked on a drive that started on their own 25-yard line and featured a balance of passes and runs. The drive was aided by two separate penalties on the defense and included a successful fourth and 10 play. The Eagles’ drive was capped off by a touchdown pass by Davis. The successful extra point brought the score to 14-14. That score would hold through the rest of the second quarter.

The third quarter started with the Herd kicking off to the Eagles. The Eagles’ offense started at their own 33-yard line and put together an impressive drive, picking through the Herd defense with a precise passing attack. The drive resulted in a 19-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, bringing the score to 21-14. 

The Herd got the ball back on the ensuing kickoff and turned to their powerful running game. The Herd’s series of hard runs advanced the ball deep into Eagles territory but they were ultimately stopped on a fourth down attempt and turned the ball back over to the Eagles.

Both teams then traded possessions ending in punts as the game clock crept into the fourth quarter. With six minutes remaining in the game, the Eagles took advantage of good field position, driving into the Herd red zone with an array of passes. Faced with a fourth and goal from the Herd 6-yard line, the Eagles elected for a successful field goal attempt, making the score 24-14.

With three minutes remaining, the Herd took over but had their drive derailed by an interception. The Eagles chose not to run time off the clock, but instead go for a long pass from Cole that was successful for a touchdown. An extra point sealed the deal for the Eagles. Cole ended the day with three touchdown passes to three different receivers.

After the game, Pleasant Grove Head Coach Josh Crabtree reflected on the big win over cross-town rival Elk Grove High. 

“They are the gold standard for football in this community.” Crabtree said, pointing to the Elk Grove sideline. 

“It’s not about me; it’s not about the old men in khaki pants and polo shirts; it’s about these kids,” Crabtree went on to say. “These kids decided to believe in themselves. I’ve been blessed to have a seat and watch all of this this stuff happen.”

“Emotionally and physiologically, to beat that team in gold helmets means everything to these kids.” Crabtree added.

Crabtree spoke about some of the special plays and players from the game. 

“Cole Davis at quarterback made a couple really, really big throws. Our defense all year, this is our sixth win with four shutouts defensively; they made Elk Grove earn every inch tonight,” Crabtree explained. “Our defense is going to keep us in every game: Roman Patterson, Maddox Ali, Erik Clark. I could go down the list of these guys who have made a commitment to not accept anything less than their best.”

“It’s good to see them smile; it’s good to see them validated; it’s good to see them get that paycheck. … This is one that these kids will remember until the day they die.” Crabtree concluded.

Next up, Elk Grove will host Monterey Trail at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, while Pleasant Grove will welcome Laguna Creek at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Nov.1, after press time.