Granada Hills’ Speed Beats San Pedro, 23-13

Approaching his return to football coaching at Granada Hills High, Darryl Stroh had to be worried about opponent San Pedro’s speed.

After all, San Pedro featured senior flanker Mike Ford, who was also one of the top track sprinters in the state last year.

And Ford showed his speed early. In the first two plays of the game, Ford caught passes of 48 and 32 yards, the second for a touchdown, as the Pirates took a quick 7-0 lead.

After that, Granada Hills decided to show some speed of its own. Powered by a 36-yard touchdown pass, a 50-yard scoring run and a 36-yard punt return that set up another score, Granada Hills won its City opener against the San Pedro Pirates, 23-13

Marc Newman’s 36-yard touchdown catch from Brent Spurlin gave Granada Hills its first score, tying the game, 7-7, with 17 seconds left in the first quarter. On its next possession, the Highlanders drove 80 yards to take a 14-7 lead at halftime.

It was Kalid Ali’s third-quarter sprint that broke the game open. Running around end from the 50, the junior, who ended up with 13 carries for 169 yards rushing, broke three tackles on his way to the end zone. Ali had another long run of 40 yards go for naught when the first-half clock ran out with the Highlanders on the San Pedro 9-yard line.

Granada Hills added a 20-yard field goal by Greg Fowble with one minute left in the third quarter.

Quarterback Randy Galosic’s one-yard touchdown run for San Pedro closed the scoring.

Dean Yoshitiani and Nate Russell each had one interception for Granada Hills. Ford, who finished with five catches for 157 yards, had an interception for San Pedro.

Scott Tosti returned a punt 36 yards that set up the Highlanders’ last score. Tosti also had 4 runs for 19 yards.Spurlin was 7 of 14 for 115 yards passing for the winners.

Galosic finished 11 of 21 for 150 yards and two interceptions. Lionel Robinson led Pirate rushers with 29 yards in 5 carries.

After the game, Stroh also pointed to the play of his inexperienced offensive line as a key to the Highlanders’ victory.

San Pedro 7 0 0 6 -- 13 Granada Hills 7 7 9 0 -- 23 SP--Ford 32 pass from / Galosic (Ford kicked).

GH--Newman 36 pass from Spurlin (Fowble kick).

GH--Davis 3 run (Fowble kick).

GH--Ali 50 run (Yeargain run failed).

GH--FG Fowble 20.

SP--Galosic 1 run (pass failed).