ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Pleasant Grove Eagles traveled Oct. 24 to play the Elk Grove Thundering Herd in not just Elk Grove’s senior night, but in the “Battle of The Groves” rivalry game.

Both schools were coming off victories in previous matchups. Pleasant Grove had beaten Cosumnes Oaks High School to be able to push their record to 5-3, while Elk Grove had beaten Sheldon to take their record to 4-4 on the season.  

The “Battle of The Groves” is not just an in-town rivalry for these two schools. It is a game that is circled on the calendar each year for every sport, where it seems like nothing else matters.

Although Elk Grove has been the school to beat for the football games in the past, Pleasant Grove won the previous year 31-14 and hoped to have the same success in this year's game.

At the start, both teams came out with high energy. Both defenses played with intensity, laying big hits and preventing either offense from getting established early on. The first quarter ended scoreless.         

 

On the sidelines are Pleasant Grove captains Ivan Saeyang, left, Hekili Hernandez, Brody Witte and Jacob Biggs.

Even though both defenses were playing tremendously, Pleasant Grove was able to score the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter and take the lead 7-0.             

However, with the second quarter coming to a close, the Thundering Herd was able to put themselves in a position to kick a field goal and look to cut the lead before halftime. But the Eagles defense was able to block the kick attempt and keep Elk Grove from scoring in the first half.     

Once the second half had started, it seemed like both offenses were able to wake up a little and move the ball better than before.                

Elk Grove was able to score a touchdown to tie the game, looking to switch the momentum. But the Eagles were able to get the ball and drive down the field to settle for a field goal and take the lead right back, ending the third quarter 10-7.

What looked to be an offense-filled fourth quarter quickly turned back to highly defensive. Each defense forced the opposing team to constantly punt.              

With roughly two minutes left in the game, Elk Grove was able to get the ball back for one more drive.       

 

Quarterback #11 Holden MacPherson running to Hudle

The Herd offense was able to drive the ball down the field and looked to score a touchdown to win the game. However, the Pleasant Grove defense was able to make a big stop to force a fourth down and have Elk Grove attempt its second field goal of the night.                

With the Eagle defense bearing down, the kicker was able to get the ball kicked and in the air. But the ball had gone wide right.

What could have sent the game into overtim, ended up helping Pleasant Grove win 10-7. The Eagles spoiled Elk Grove’s senior night and have won the “Battle of the Groves” game two years in a row.  

The Eagles now advance to 6-3 on the year and travel yet again to Laguna Creek in their senior night game. Elk Grove falls to 4-5 on the season and will travel to play Monterey Trail for the Mustangs’ senior night.