BELTON — Back on Oct. 20, Chilton High School varsity football traveled to Granger High School as the undefeated No. 4 ranked team in all of Class 2A-2 and were heavy favorites. The Lions pulled off an incredible upset at home with a thrilling 17-14 victory over the Pirates with a long field goal by junior kicker Jose Valverde as time expired in the fourth quarter.
That was the Pirates’ only loss of the 2023 season up to now and this team was very hungry to avenge that loss to the Lions. From the very start of the 2A-2 regional semifinals at Tiger Field in Belton last Friday, Chilton had Granger’s number as the Lions were dealt a lopsided 45-0 loss to the Pirates.
Chilton got the ball first with the opening kickoff near the 50-yard line and took just seven plays to march downfield for a touchdown on the ground to take a 7-0 lead over Granger early in the first quarter.
Penalties and a crucial muffed punt deep in the Lions’ own territory really hurt Granger to start the game as Chilton used another very short field to score on a 10-yard touchdown run to take a 14-0 lead.
Towards the end of the opening quarter, the Pirates’ offense continued to roll with a deep 49-yard touchdown pass over the middle of the field to go up 21-0. After the Lions then went down 28-0 in the second quarter, Granger finally got things going on offense as they drove deep into Chilton territory but the drive was thwarted with a crucial turnover at the 12-yard line.
Chilton kicked a long field goal as time expired to take a 31-0 lead into halftime and added two more 30-plus yard touchdown runs in the third quarter to extend the blowout.
This was a very tough ending to a great Granger varsity football season that saw the Lions end up with a 10-3 overall record with a bi-district and area championship title. Under Head Coach Stephen Brosch, expect the Lions to reload in 2024 and have another strong season.
“Tonight was a tough one but I’m proud of this group and the strides they took to continue to put Lion Football where it’s at,” Brosch said after the loss. “A 10-3 record, a share of a district title, bi-district champs and area champs. They have so much to hang their hats on. Lion Nation you showed up week in and week out and brought the energy like no other. Much gratitude for this amazing community, fan base, school and staff for another great run. We’ll be back and we have big plans.”
Granger High School varsity football senior outside linebacker Thomas Youngblood (82) prepares to rush the passer Friday, Nov. 24 during the Lions’ regional semifinals playoff game against Chilton High School at Tiger Field in Belton. Photo by Andrew Salmi
