Griffs finish strong, earn playoff berth

By Ramon Scott
Updated: November 9, 2026

Grossmont on special teams against Glendale on Saturday evening.

2026 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

GROSSMONT 35, GLENDALE 21

By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com

GLENDALE — Grossmont College was clinging to a two-point lead and facing third-and-8 deep in its own territory. Michael Kearns III covered 63 yards on his next two carries, then threw for the touchdown that gave the Griffins room to breathe.

Isaac Turner gave them the finish. A little more than a minute later, he returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown, sealing Grossmont’s 35-21 victory Saturday at Sartoris Field.

The win gave the Griffins a 7-3 regular-season record and second place in the American Pacific League at 4-1.

On Sunday, the Southern California Football Association named Grossmont the No. 3 seed in its inaugural American Division playoffs. The Griffins will visit No. 2 Antelope Valley on Saturday, Nov. 14, in the American Metro Bowl, which doubles as a division semifinal.

Grossmont went to Glendale knowing a seventh victory would give it a stronger postseason case. The Griffins came back with that win and a place in a four-team field playing for a championship.

Kearns takes over late

Grossmont led 23-7 early in the second quarter, but Glendale cut the margin to 23-14 by halftime. Neither team scored in the third quarter, and Tyler Soles ran 8 yards for a touchdown nine seconds into the fourth to bring the Vaqueros within 23-21.

The Griffins still held that lead when they took over at their own 30 with 7:08 remaining. Two runs gained only two yards before Kearns broke free for 36 yards on third-and-8. He followed with a 27-yard run to the Glendale 5, then threw a touchdown pass to a running back with 4:27 left.

The missed extra point kept Glendale within one possession at 29-21. On the ensuing series, Soles faced third-and-5 from his own 45. Turner intercepted the pass at the Grossmont 39 and went the other way for the clinching score with 3:19 remaining.

Kearns finished with 100 rushing yards on nine carries, a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown. Melvin Spicer IV completed 12 of 20 passes for 184 yards and ran for a score.

“We’ve got a two-headed monster at QB with Mel Spicer and Michael Kearns spinning our offense,” Grossmont coach Mason Mitchell said.

The two quarterbacks helped Grossmont pile up 462 yards and 32 first downs. The Griffins ran for 249 yards, converted eight of 15 third downs and never punted. Ladarrione Perkins added 67 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Jordan Lindley carried eight times for 37 yards.

Grossmont gave Glendale openings with two interceptions and 13 penalties for 138 yards. When the Vaqueros got within two, the Griffins answered with a five-play, 70-yard touchdown drive and Turner’s interception return.

Fast start after week off

The Griffins had not played since their Oct. 24 loss to San Bernardino Valley. Their scheduled game against LA Pierce was a forfeit already reflected in the standings.

On Grossmont’s first play from scrimmage, Spicer hit Jaidan Brooks for 38 yards, setting up Philipa Trakas’ 22-yard field goal. Isaac Syph then returned a punt 41 yards to the Glendale 24, and Kearns scored from the 2 on fourth-and-1 to make it 10-0.

Glendale answered with an 81-yard touchdown pass from Christian Breazeale to Timothy Johnson. Grossmont came right back. Perkins ran 19 yards to the 1, and Spicer finished the drive to give the Griffins a 17-7 lead.

Kearns found Elijah Smith for 24 yards on the next scoring drive, and Perkins went in from the 1 for a 23-7 advantage. Breazeale’s second touchdown pass to Johnson, a 4-yarder, made it 23-14 at the break.

Smith finished with 51 receiving yards and Brooks had 50, each on two catches. Dvonta Peoples led Grossmont with four receptions.

Griffin Graffiti

Grossmont held Glendale to 53 net rushing yards on 18 attempts. Kayson Mathabela, the Vaqueros’ leading rusher entering the game, had 19 yards on four carries.

“Defensively we knew we needed to manage their run game with their triple option 2 back set,” Mitchell said.

Quincy Shepard Jr. led the Griffins with nine tackles and broke up two passes. Jeremiah Savaiinaea Jr. recorded 1½ sacks, with Avery Morris sharing one. Turner’s clinching interception was his sixth of the season; he also caught a pass for 29 yards.

Glendale finished 5-5 overall and 2-3 in league and will visit Victor Valley in the Southern California Bowl.

Up next: American Metro Bowl

No. 3 Grossmont (7-3) at No. 2 Antelope Valley (8-2)
Saturday, Nov. 14 — American Division semifinal

The Griffins draw the American Metro League champion, which went 5-0 in league play. No. 4 Santa Monica visits No. 1 San Bernardino Valley in the other semifinal, the American Pacific Bowl. The winners meet Nov. 21, with the higher remaining seed hosting the championship.

The SCFA’s four-team American Division bracket runs separately from the six-team National Division regional playoffs.

For Mitchell’s program, it marks another step forward. After several seasons without a postseason appearance, Grossmont returned last year and beat West Los Angeles 21-20 in the Beach Bowl.

This year, the Griffins are back in the postseason with a chance to play for a division title.