Gridley and Orland are an even 5-5 against one another since November of 2017, but not for long. The Bulldogs will be playing in front of their home fans against the Trojans at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Gridley will come into the contest with an undefeated record on the line.
Gridley is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They blew past Pierce 22-0. Considering the Bulldogs have won five games by more than 19 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Eli Punzo
| 11/21/25 vs Pierce | 151 |
| 11/14/25 vs University Prep | 98 |
| 11/07/25 vs Corning | 112 |
| 10/31/25 @ Las Plumas | 63 |
| 10/24/25 vs Live Oak | 201 |
| + 7 more games |
Eli Punzo had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 151 yards and three touchdowns on only 13 carries. With that strong performance, he is now averaging an impressive 100.6 rushing yards per game. Marcus Duncan also helped out as he racked up 129 rushing yards.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Gridley was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 385 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 178 rushing yards in 18 consecutive matchups dating back to last season.
Gridley didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The team can thank two different players for their defensive prowess: Michael Sandoval and Rafael Franco, who each picked up one interception apiece.
Meanwhile, Orland didn't have too much breathing room in their contest against Lassen on Friday, but they still walked away with a 20-16 victory.
Orland had a senior duo take command as Manny Martin gained 112 total yards and two touchdowns and Luke Schager rushed for 152 yards and one TD. What's more, he's the game marked his ninth straight with at least 100.
Gridley's record now sits at 12-0. As for Orland, their record is now 10-2.
Saturday's matchup will pit two of the most dominant signal callers against one another: Punzo and Schager. Punzo just won't slow down this season and has thrown 11 touchdowns (and and only 1 picks) while averaging 31.2 passing yards per game. Schager has been a dominant force too and has thrown 2 touchdowns while averaging 36.9 passing yards per game.
Gridley came out on top in a nail-biter against Orland when the teams last played back in October, sneaking past 29-26. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Schager, who rushed for 149 yards and a pair of scores, and also threw for 91 yards and one touchdown. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will the Bulldogs still be able to contain Schager? There's only one way to find out.
