Marysville’s Toby Berry, #52, racing out to play Yuba City. Photo by Chris Pedigo

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Stands were packed Friday night as fans gathered for a game 15years in the making that pitted cross-town rivals against each other at Marysville High School’s "War Field".

The Marysville Indians hosted the Yuba City Honkers in the first “Big Little Game” to be played in more than a decade and half between the two sister-city high schools.

The Marysville Indians charged onto the gridiron surrounded by JV players and cheerleaders, ready to take on the Honkers. Yuba City strode calmly onto the field, holding flags and heads high as they took their place on the visitor’s sideline.

Marysville gets ready to hike the ball early on in the first game against crosstown rivals Yuba City in 15 years. Photo by Seti Long

Team captains met referees at mid-field, joined by Yuba City Mayor Wade Kirschner and city council members for the coin flip. Yuba City would get the ball first.

The game got off to a quick start, with Yuba City drawing first blood early in the first quarter. The extra-point kick would be no good, putting only 6 points on the board for the Honkers.

Despite working both passing and running games, Marysville would fail to put numbers on the board in the first half. Quarterback Elias Delozier would complete a pass to Dennis Syders for a gain of 27 yards, making some serious movement towards the Honkers end zone, only to come up short. 

Marysville’s Chevy Zacharopoulos, #34, heads off Yuba City ball carrier, wide receiver Jameson Hopper, #80, attempting to stop forward progress.

Heavy flags throughout the first half and injured Indians would begin a slow slip for Marysville. The Honkers would continue to apply the pressure, coming close to intercepting passes and putting numbers on the board with clean plays. 

Confident, Yuba City retired to the locker rooms for halftime with a lead of 20- 0, leaving Marysville shaken and tensions high. 

Marysville would come back re-invigorated, pushing towards the end zone on their drive with hopes to cure the 20-point spread.

Syders would put the first numbers on the board for Marysville. The Indians would continue a grueling fight, only to have the Honkers deflate them time and time again.  

Marysville’s Jaylen Brown. #3, and Dennis Syders, #4, Donovan Southward, #2, Adam Kelley, #60, run the play while Yuba City’s Anthony Feliciano, #10, and teammates get grounded. Photo by Seti Long

Yuba City’s wide receivers Ryan Sandhu, Ramon Fernandez, and Landon Epperson were favorite targets throughout the game, with quarterback Jordan Martinez doing leg work on his own when pressure was applied to the pocket.

In the fourth quarter, Marysville’s Josiah Smith-Brown would light a fire under Marysville fans with a 53-yard kick-return for a touchdown. Although the Honkers had a significant lead over the Indians, the play would bring hope to the home team.

Yuba City would clap back, answering the play with a kick-return of their own, adding another touchdown. 

Yuba City Ivan Pina, #17, kicks-off the Big-Little Game between Yuba City and Marysville. Photo by Seti Long

Marysville would get one more in before the game was put away, a final score of 19-47 Yuba City.

Disappointed, the Indians retreated, leaving the Honkers to bask in after-game glory under the lights.

Yuba City took a knee at the end zone as head coach Jonah Lessard congratulated his team on their victory. 

Honkers take a knee after their victory to be addressed by Head Coach J. Lessard and coaching staff before celebrating a victory dance. Photo by Seti Long