The Hanford High football team found itself in a dogfight in the first half of its Central Section Division III playoff opener Friday night at Neighbor Bowl. The Bullpups, though, showed its bark and bite were more ferocious in the second half.

Up 17-14 at the half, Hanford played one of its best halves of season to end the game, shutting out Golden Valley from that point forward 20-0 to beat the Bulldogs 37-14 and move on to the quarterfinals.

Hanford, the tournament's No. 5 seed, improves to 7-4 on the season and will travel next Friday to face No. 4 Delano, which beat No. 13 Highland (Bakersfield) 23-6.

After Golden Valley cut Hanford's lead to 17-14 with a late touchdown in the second quarter, Hanford head coach Josh Young made sure the 'Pups knew what they were playing for.

"We made sure they knew it was win or go home," Young said. "Now they get a chance to play next week."

The Bullpups sure did answer, pitching the second half shutout and scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter.

In the second half, the Bullpups forced three 3-and-outs and a turnover on downs late when Golden Valley was forced to go for a first on fourth-and-long in its own territory.

Golden Valley stalled on its first possession of the second half, but returner Connor West bobbled the ball on the catch, fumbling near midfield.

But Bullpup Connor Kurtz intercepted a Derek Martin pass on the next play.

A personal foul penalty started Hanford's drive at the Bulldog 21, but the Bullpups had to settle for a 43 yard field goal from Kevin Kurtz to make it 23-14 with 6:14 left in the third quarter.

Golden Valley (3-8) started its next drive on its own 20 after a touchback, and drive down into Bullpups territory.

Hanford held, sacking Martin on third-and-long to force the Bulldogs to punt.

Quarterback Cannon Sanchez found Dijon Foster on a screen pass for 45 yards, then Brayden Sanchez to get within the Bulldog 10.

On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Cannon Sanchez took the quarterback sneak into the end zone to make it 30-14 with 10:39 left in the fourth quarter.

After Hanford's defense held Golden Valley to another 3-and-out, Hanford drove down inside the Bulldog 10 and settled for a 20 yard field goal.

The Bullpups wouldn't allow another first down, with Foster adding another touchdown after the Bulldogs gave Hanford possession deep in Golden Valley territory after it went for it on fourth-and-long.

Young was pleased with how his team played on both sides of the ball.

"Our offensive line made some adjustments and just plugging at it," he said. "It we play like that on offense and defense, we can do some special things."

Though Hanford was dominant in the second half, it was a little for tighter until the half.

Golden Valley received the opening kickoff, starting at its own 12 after the Bulldogs returner bobbled the ball to the ground.

The Hanford defense held Golden Valley to a three-and-out, and got the ball at the Bulldog 39 after Connor West returned the punt from midfield.

If took the Bullpups just four plays to find the end zone.

On third down and seven to go, Cannon Sanchez found Foster on screen pass with defenders rushing in.

Foster took the ball 17 yards for the touchdown to make it 7-0 with 7:06 left in the first quarter.

Golden Valley tied it quickly.

The Bulldogs went on a six play, 67 yard drive.

Aramando Munguia broke a 52 yard run near midfield to give Golden Valley first and goal at the Bullpup 5-yard-line.

Two plays later, Emery Palacios finished it off by punching it in from the one.

Hanford took seven plays to drive into Golden Valley territory on its next possession.

The Bullpups offense stalled and had to settle for a 32 yard field goal from Kevin Kurtz to give Hanford a 10-7 lead with eight seconds left in the first quarter.

Later in the second quarter, Cannon Sanchez found Brayden Sanchez on a post route down the left side of the field.

Brayden Sanchez made a cut up field and took it 45 yards for the touchdown, making it 17-7 with 2:25 left in the first half.

With the limited time left, the Bulldogs made the most of it.

Golden Valley took the ball at its own 30 and needed six plays to go 70 yards.

Palacios cut the lead to 17-14 on a 7-yard touchdown run with 17 seconds left in the first half.

In the game, Cannon Sanchez was 15-for-21 for 215 yards with three touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing).

Foster finished with 88 yards rushing on 12 carries and two catches for 65 yards.

West had 74 yards on 11 carries.

Brayden Sanchez had nine catches for 122 yards.

For Golden Valley, Palacios finished with 99 yards on 21 carries.

Martin was 9-of-26 for 48 yards with two interceptions.

(Nov. 21, 2009)