Granada Hills Defeats Old Rival, 37-13, on Fowble’s Legs and Feet

Some thought Friday night’s game between Chatsworth and Granada Hills might rekindle a neighborhood rivalry that had waned in recent years with less-than-powerful Chatsworth teams.

Instead, Friday night was Greg Fowble night.

The 5-10, 155-pound wide receiver and kicker accounted for 25 of his team’s points as the Granada Hills rolled over Chatsworth, 37-13.

Fowble’s first points came on the Highlanders’ first play from scrimmage, as quarterback Brent Spurlin threw 45 yards to his favorite receiver for a touchdown with less than two minutes gone in the game. Fowble added the extra point.

After a fumble recovery by Highlander linebacker Kevin Hopper, Fowble followed with a 39-yard field goal, a 33-yard touchdown reception and two more point-after kicks before the first half ended.

Meanwhile, the Chancellors enjoyed their only early highlight when Spence Durham ran a fake punt eight yards for a first down. Chatsworth fumbled to Hopper three plays later.

In the first two quarters, the Chancellors managed only 15 yards total offense to the Highlanders’ 216. Chatsworth quarterback Matt McCourt went one for seven and was sacked three times in the first half.

Fowble started the second half just as quickly as he had the first, catching a 60-yarder for six points. This time, however, his extra point was blocked, one of the few disappointments for the Highlanders.

But the biggest setback for the Highlanders did not show up on the scoreboard. With just over five minutes left in the third quarter, defensive tackle Darrell White went down at midfield with a neck injury suffered during a tackle. According to Granada Hills coaches, the player was unconscious for several minutes, then complained of neck pain.

White apparently had feeling and movement in his hands and feet and, although he was carried away by ambulance after lying on the field for 25 minutes, coaches said they did not believe he was seriously injured.

Several plays after the lull, Highlander nose guard Barry Daniels intercepted a tipped pass from replacement quarterback Rogelio Vargas and returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown.

Chatsworth was able to avert a shutout with two late fourth-quarter scores on a nine-yard run by Michael Santini and a six-yard pass reception by Audwin Pippins.