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--> --> Ashland's Jesse Broerman picks up extra yardage over the top of the KU defense. Ashland Daily Tidings/AMY ALONZO Grizz get back to winning By Bobby Heiken Ashland Daily Tidings It wasn't pretty but it was just what the Ashland High football team needed. The Grizzlies rebounded from a solid thumping last week at South Medford to squeeze past Klamath Union 19-15 Friday night at Phillips Field. "It was a win and we really needed it," Grizz head coach Jim Nagel said. After having its defense run over the past two weeks - and an offensive line that performed below standards - Ashland responded with signs of life on both sides of the ball. "We did some nice things," Nagel said. "We are still making mistakes but it was a step in the positive direction." The victory improved Ashland to 1-1 in Southern Oregon Conference play and 2-2 overall. Klamath Union fell to 1-1 in the SOC and 2-2 overall. The Grizzlies came out poised, holding the Pelicans to minus-5 yards to open the game and then driving the ball straight down the field. A nice mix of run and pass had KU on its heels as Ashland marched 64 yards in 11 plays, capping the drive off with a 10-yard scamper by senior Jesse Broerman to give the Grizzlies a 7-0 lead. KU and its vaunted fly offense responded on the next drive. With four different people carrying the ball, the Pelicans marched down to the Ashland 6. Then with everyone in the house expecting a run, KU quarterback Jeff Mortenson rolled to his left and found senior receiver Jeff Pisan in the front corner of the end zone for a score. The Pelicans missed the point-after to trail 7-6. Klamath Union capitalized on one of new starting quarterback Bryan Clevenger's mistakes - Cameron Voget was suspended two weeks for breaking team rules - when Pisan picked off an errant pass thrown into double coverage and returned it up the KU sideline 48 yards for the score and a 12-7 lead to start the second quarter. Ashland wouldn't be knocked down. Clevenger completed a 48-yard pass to senior Eddie Griffin on the next play to move inside Pelican territory. Then Broerman busted loose up the middle for 27 yards, setting up a 1-yard plunge by running mate Ty Haggard and Ashland regained the lead at 13-12 with 8:20 to play in the first half. Neither team could muster any offense and the score stayed the same until the third quarter. After an Ashland punt to start the third, KU once again methodically moved the ball down the field. But forced to pass inside the Ashland 20, the Pelicans offense hit a bump and was forced to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Brad Mejia to take a 15-13 lead. The Grizzlies tried to claw their way back in front and were well on their way until senior Ryan Decker fumbled after a 24-yard pickup to close out the third quarter. Klamath Union would return the favor to the hosts. Mejia - the SOC's No. 3 rusher - fumbled after a big hit by junior Geoff Anderson. The loose ball was recovered by senior James MacCormack and the Grizz were back in business with 7:34 to play in the game. Feeling the momentum, the Grizz struck fast. Clevenger connected with a streaking Decker down the sideline for a 57-yard pickup. After a holding penalty and back-to-back incompletions, Clevenger again looked Decker's way on a fourth-and-18 situation. The junior quarterback threw the ball in the corner of the end zone into a double team. The result was a defensive pass interference call. Broerman made the Pelicans pay on the next play as he busted tackles up the middle for a 12-yard score and a 19-15 Grizz lead. The Ashland defense stepped up on the next series as Eric Lehr's hit on Mejia caused another fumble that was recovered by Dillon Houshour. The Grizzlies tried to run the clock out, but a Clevenger fumble gave the ball back to the Pelicans with 29 seconds left. KU couldn't get anything going and a last ditch effort was picked off by Houshour to give the Grizzlies the victory. After giving up 1,197 yards of total offense during the first three games, the Grizz defense came back with a solid effort - limiting KU to 221 yards. "We rotated a lot of guys in and tried to keep everyone fresh," Nagel said. "But we still have a lot of room to improve. We had too many mistakes that could have hurt us." The Grizz offense put up some impressive numbers, including the arrival of a running game. Broerman led the charge with 80 yards on 13 carries, while Haggard chipped in with 77 yards on 13 carries. "The offensive line did a great job," Broerman said. "We all worked hard all week and that's what it's going to take." Clevenger, making his first start of the season, completed 10 of 15 passes for 210 yards. "I've got a lot of confidence in Bryan," Nagel said. "The only thing he's missing is varsity playing experience." Ashland hosts first-place Grants Pass (4-0, 2-0) next Friday at Phillips Field. Grants Pass rolled to a 20-3 victory over North Medford Friday night. Email your... 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