The tense rivalry between King’s Fork High School’s and Grassfield High School’s football teams took an unfortunate turn for the Bulldogs during their homecoming on Friday night.

On the first play of the game from scrimmage, the Grizzlies’ quarterback completed a quick pass to senior wide receiver Grant Holloway, who evaded double coverage and turned it into a 65-yard touchdown catch.

King’s Fork fought back, but Grassfield never trailed on its way to a 38-14 victory.

“They beat us in all three phases,” Bulldogs acting head coach David Waddell said.

Waddell stepped in for coach Joe Jones. who was ejected from last week’s game against Lakeland High School, along with Bulldogs star senior feature back Deshaun Wethington. Both were not allowed to participate on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ offensive star, Holloway, was effective, finishing with three catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s a special player for them,” Waddell said. “There’s no doubt about that. He’s got all the tools, he’s one of the best receivers that’s in this area, for sure.”

Grassfield went up 21-7 near the end of the first quarter after Holloway scored on a 76-yard touchdown catch.

“Our kids didn’t lay down by any stretch,” Waddell said. “We kept clawing back.”

While King’s Fork certainly could have used Wethington, who ran for 339 yards against the Grizzlies last year, Waddell praised the play of sophomore feature back-slotback Darran Butts. He carried the ball 23 times for 142 yards and a touchdown on Friday.

“He ran the ball well,” Waddell said. “He did a great job between the tackles, and when he got through to the second level, he’s got the speed to open it up.”

Butts put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with a 38-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and senior slotback Thomas Jones scored on an 18-yard run with 53 seconds to go in the first half.

The Grizzlies led 28-14 at halftime and built on that lead with a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

King’s Fork (5-2) hosts Nansemond River High School (4-3) next Friday night for a cross-city showdown that could determine the winner of the Suffolk city title.