Chatsworth proves it’s up to a challenge against Palisades

Despite being undefeated and considered the favorite to win the City Section Division II championship, Chatsworth had something to prove Friday night against Palisades.

The host Chancellors wanted to make a statement in their final nonleague game and that’s just what they did, responding to adversity for the first time this season to win 34-27 against an equally determined City Division I opponent.

Junior quarterback Tyger Goslin completed 14 of 26 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 150 yards in 12 carries to key the victory.

“This is just what we needed heading into league -- it was a good gut check,” Goslin said. “Our record doesn’t mean a thing. We approach every game like we’re 0-0.”

Tawan Funches rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns, including a 13-yard run to give the Chancellors (5-0) a 28-27 lead with 10:51 left in the fourth quarter.

Goslin hit receiver Ronald Kamulali in stride on a 44-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. Kamulali had two catches for 53 yards but was sidelined with a knee injury late in the second quarter and did not return.

Jakeldrik Love caught a 37-yard touchdown pass to put Chatsworth ahead 21-6 lead on the first play of the second quarter, but Palisades quarterback P.J. Hurst scored on three short touchdown runs to give the Dolphins (2-3) a 27-21 halftime lead -- the first time Chatsworth has trailed after two quarters.

Daniel Kamulali, Ronald’s twin brother, had three receptions for 37 yards and returned an interception 43 yards to set up a 25-yard field goal by Jared Garcia that increased the Chancellors’ lead to 34-27 with 2:06 left.

“Tyger’s a big part of our team,” Daniel Kamulali said. “Without him we wouldn’t be the team we are. Everyone was a little frustrated at halftime but we made the adjustments we needed to make. We always believe we’re going to win.”

Chatsworth had been averaging nearly 55 points a game and Goslin entered Friday’s contest having thrown for 1,096 yards and 16 touchdowns as well as rushed for 401 yards and five scores, but for him it’s not about numbers.

“We just want to win ... it doesn’t matter how we do it,” Goslin said. “We wanted to prove we’re a top Division II program. We knew they were a very good team but we believed we were the better team.”

Chatsworth reached the Division II championship game in 2010, losing to Fairfax, 51-7. The Chancellors beat Fairfax, 62-49, two weeks ago.