REDDING, CA (MPG) – The Gridley varsity football team was soundly defeated Thursday night, 64-7, at University Prep in the first round of the 2022 Division III Northern Section CIF Football Playoffs.

The No. 6 seed Bulldogs (4-7) were simply overmatched against the No. 3 ranked Panthers (10-1). University Prep scored 27 points in each of the first two quarters, respectively, and led 54-0 at halftime.

RELATED: Bulldogs send seniors out with big win over Las Plumas

The Panthers were limited to only a field goal in the third period. Then in the final quarter, the two teams exchanged touchdowns, as Gridley avoided the shutout. University Prep will travel to Cottonwood to take on No. 2 seed West Valley (8-3) in the playoff semifinals on Friday night at 7 p.m.

The Panthers recorded 406 total rushing yards on 27 carries, averaging a whopping 15 yards per rush. Senior running back Ryan Dyab was the game’s leading rusher with 11 carries for 178 yards and four touchdowns.

RELATED: Bulldogs cruise past Tigers with ease, continue playoffs push

Six of the touchdowns came on the ground for University Prep and the other three came through the air. Sophomore quarterback Kaos Martin completed 3-of-4 passing attempts for 139 yards and three scores for the Panthers.

The Bulldogs’ statistics were unavailable as of press time. A majority of Gridley’s team is in the Class of 2023. Thirteen out of 23 players will be graduating in the spring. One key player that will be returning next season is sophomore quarterback Gus Stogsdill.