HIGH SCHOOL DIGEST : PLAYER OF THE WEEK : Ali’s 217 Yards Establish Granada Hills Record

It was a secret to most people in attendance, but Khalid Ali broke the Granada Hills’ single-game rushing record when he gained 217 yards last week against Westlake. The previous record of 212 yards was set by Bob McKinley in 1967.

“Khalid had 160 by halftime,” Granada Hills Coach Darryl Stroh said. “We knew what the record was and left him in until he got it. You don’t always get a chance at a record. I told him and the line at halftime. No one else knew.”

Ali carried 22 times and scored on runs of 42, 11, 3 and 1 yards in Granada Hills’ 56-12 victory. The performance increased his season totals to 793 yards on 101 carries. Ali, a senior, leads Valley-area City Section players with 13 touchdowns and 78 points.

Granada Hills (5-0-1) has relied increasingly on Ali after running back Mike Davis hurt an ankle five weeks ago. Last season, Davis, who will play against Cleveland this week, and Ali alternated at tailback.

The win over Westlake was the first for a Valley 4-A team against a Marmonte League team after two losses. Ali, 5-11, 170, said that he expected Westlake to be stronger.

“On film they looked like they swarmed to the ball,” Ali said. “The weren’t big, but big guys don’t hit the hardest anyway. It’s the little guys who sting you.”

Most of the time, however, it has been Ali doing most of the stinging.