This past Friday, October 17, the Granada High Matadors took on the Dublin High Gaels in an action-packed senior night game at Granada.

The excitement and positivity was high before the game even started, as Granada celebrated not only the seniors on the football team, but also the cheer and dance teams.

Gameplay began at 7:15 with Dublin kicking off to Granada. Within the first minute of the game, Granada had the ball on their 50-yard line. The quarterback, Ben Warner (10), tossed the ball back to the running back, Skylar Stewart (10), for a 50-yard rushing touchdown and also earned their extra point after. This play brings the score to 7-0 with 11 minutes and 34 seconds left in the quarter.

“I was just running for my life,” answered Stewart, when asked what was going through his head during the sprint.

For the rest of the quarter, Granada held the lead they had on Dublin. Once the second quarter emerged, Dublin kicked a field goal to earn them three points. The score was now 7-3, with Granada still ahead.

Later in the same quarter, Dublin scored a rushing touchdown from their one-yard line, bringing the score to 9-7 with Dublin taking the lead. And with no change to the score, the teams went into halftime with Dublin ahead.

Entering the second half, Dublin had the ball and scored a 75-yard rushing touchdown and an extra point, putting the score at 16-7.

At 10 minutes and 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Warner completed a pass to Damian Miles (12), who got the ball to Dublin’s 27-yard line.

When asked if he ever feels pressured during the game, Warner said, “I don’t really feel pressure while I’m playing, but before the game I do feel the pressure, but once the game starts it just feels natural to just play.”

With a minute and a half left in the quarter, Warner completed a 15-yard pass for a touchdown, and with the extra point, bringing the score to 16-14. Dublin was still in the lead going into the fourth quarter.

Granada held Dublin for the first half of the fourth quarter before Warner threw a 67-yard pass for a touchdown, which put Granada in the lead. The score was now 20-16.

Although Granada put up a good fight, Dublin scored a rushing touchdown and extra point with under a minute left in the game, bringing the final score to 23-20, with Dublin taking home the win.

“I would like us just to stay confident and have confidence that we will be able to win to keep everyone positive,” said Warner.