San Fernando Routs Granada Hills by 28 for Valley 4-A Title

San Fernando running back Lance Harper scored three touchdowns and quarterback Dwayne Calloway threw for three more as the Tigers routed Granada Hills, 40-12, Friday night to win the Valley 4-A League football title.

In handing Granada Hills its first loss of the season, San Fernando compiled 386 yards in total offense, while holding the Highlanders to 166.

Harper rushed for 132 yards on 20 carries and 2 touchdowns. He also made a spectacular catch for a 37-yard touchdown with 2:46 left in the third quarter, giving the Tigers a 28-6 lead.

It was San Fernando’s fifth win in a row--the sixth in seven games--for a 4-0 final mark in league, 7-2 overall. The Highlanders finished 3-1, 7-1.

The Tigers wasted no time in taking the lead in their home game Friday night. After the opening kickoff, San Fernando went 80 yards in 10 plays, with Harper running the final seven yards with 7:42 left in the first quarter. Alfonso Ontiveros kicked the extra point.

The Granada Hills offense came right back, as Bob Allen took the kickoff at his own six and returned it to the Highlander 43.

After Allen picked up three yards on a run, he added 42 more on a lob pass from Brent Spurlin.

Khalid Ali scored from one yard out three plays later, but Fowble missed the extra point and San Fernando still led, 7-6.

The Tigers’ wishbone attack proved to be too much for the Highlanders, who played most of the game without All-City wide receiver Greg Fowble, who was sidelined with a dislocated knuckle.

San Fernando upped its advantage to 14-6 on a 57-yard run by Clarence Bradley. That run capped a 98-yard, eight play drive that ended with 10:08 left in the half.

The lead remained at 14-6 at the half, but Harper soon made it a 22-point Tiger advantage.

After the Tigers failed to move on their first possession of the third quarter, Fowble lost a fumbled punt to San Fernando at the Granada 18.

It proved to be the last action for Fowble. He joined Granada cornerback Mike Davis, who strained an Achilles tendon, on the sideline.

After San Fernando recovered Fowble’s fumble, Harper scored from seven yards out to make it 20-6. On the Tigers’ next possession, Calloway threw a pass from the Granada 37 that appeared to be beyond Harper’s reach. But Harper tipped the ball with his right hand, hauled it in with his left and raced 15 yards for the score with 2:46 left in the third quarter.

Ali scored again for Granada Hills from one yard out with 6:50 left in the game, but the Tigers came back with two more touchdowns.

Calloway, who completed seven of 12 passes for 137 yards, hit David Richards for a 47-yard score with 5:59 left. Then, with 36 seconds left, Calloway hit Jimi Corona for a 31-yard score.