McMINNVILLE – An 87-yard kickoff return to start the second half was the beginning of a big turnaround for the McMinnville Grizzlies, who rallied after the break to down the Roseburg Indians 23-7 in a non-conference football game Friday night.

A lengthy lightning delay postponed the start of the second half by about 45 minutes, but the Grizzlies wasted no time in tying the score. McMinnville senior Kevin Sullivan took Merhawi Lake’s kickoff right up the middle and to the house and the ensuing PAT from Parker Spence tied the game at 7-7.

Spence gave McMinnville (2-0) its first lead of the game with a 28-yard field goal later in the third quarter and the Grizzlies added two more scores in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win.

Roseburg (0-2) started the scoring in the second quarter and took their first lead of the season. Doran Gillespie capped a 52-yard drive by Roseburg with an eight-yard touchdown plunge. Lake put the ball through the uprights giving the Tribe a 7-0 lead, which they held until the half.

The Indians played a sharp first half, committing just two penalties and taking the ball away with two interceptions by Colin Rietmann. The second half was a different story. Roseburg had four turnovers leading to 17 points for the Grizzlies.

Quarterback Collin Warmouth had an interception in the first quarter, but added two more in the second half. The first after the break was thrown midway through the third quarter and McMinnville turned it into three points to take a 10-7 lead.

On Roseburg’s next possession, Warmouth was picked off again and the Grizzlies turned the takeaway into its first and only offensive touchdown of the night. Running back Noah Kepler cashed in on a one-yard dive up the middle to give Mac High a 17-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter McMinnville capitalized on another Roseburg miscue. An unanticipated snap to Warmouth led to a loose ball which was scooped up by McMinnville junior Garrett Alvarez, who took the ball 33 yards for the final score.

Roseburg will move on to week three of the season, where the team will finally get to play a home game. Undefeated Reynolds (2-0) will travel to Finlay Field for a non-conference game on Friday, September 14. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Broadcast coverage will begin at 6:45 p.m. on CBS Sports Radio 1490 The Score or watch online at 541radio.com.

ROSEBURG 0;7;0;0 – 7
MCMINNVILLE 0;0;10;13 – 23

Scoring plays:
2nd Quarter
R – Gillespie 8-yard run (Lake kick)
3rd Quarter
M – Sullivan 87-yard kickoff return (Spence kick)
M – Spence 28-yard field goal
4th Quarter
M – Kepler 1-yard run (Spence kick)
M – Alvarez 33-yard fumble recovery (try failed)