Grant Back to Normal, Loses, 47-0

University High had 393 yards of offense and scored eight touchdowns Friday to easily beat Grant, 47-0.

“We just didn’t play very well,” Grant coach Bill Foster said. “It’s been a long day--that’s all I can say.” Foster speculated that his team was a bit too relaxed after beating North Hollywood, 8-7, last week.

The onslaught began early. On the third play of University’s first possession, quarterback John Moomaw launched a 52-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Marc Rodgers, who was open behind the Lancer secondary.

After a blocked punt, the Warriors made the score 13-0 on a four-yard run by William Harris. Just seconds into the second quarter, University scored again, capping a 52-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run by Harris. Three possessions, three touchdowns.

With 6:17 left in the first half, the Warriors scored again on a four-yard pass from Moomaw to tight end Varrian Smith. It was 27-0 at the half.

To say Grants’ offensive line played weak would be inaccurate. Non-existant would be more to the point. Grant starting quarterback Jay Ogna was so roughed up by the end of the second quarter he had to be relieved. Ogna was sacked hard twice and completed 2 of 5 passes for 24 yards before his early exit.

The second half went much like the first.

On University’s first possession, the team marched 55 yards on seven plays. Moomaw then threw to the end zone, only to be intercepted by linebacker Jose Alcedo on the Grant two-yard line.

It didn’t matter. University then drove 67 yards to score again on a two-yard run by Amani Davis. The key play on the drive was a 40-yard pass from Moomaw to Rodgers. University scored twice more, on a four-yard run by Dion Griffin and a 23-yard run by Robert Estell.

Moomaw picked the Grant secondary apart. He completed 11 of 14 passes for 232 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Grant’s Stephen Mack, who replaced Ogna late in the second quarter, completed 6 of 15 for 78 yards. Grant had only four first downs in the game.

Grant is 1-2 in Pac 8 League play and 1-4 overall. University is 2-1 in Pac 8 and 2-3 overall.