Chatsworth Riddled by Leach, Jan

Despite his anger over his team’s jolting, season-opening defeat to Alemany last week, Granada Hills High Coach Darryl Stroh did little differently in preparation for Saturday night’s game at Chatsworth.

Stroh’s strategy paid off as the Highlanders (1-1) rebounded with a 30-7 nonleague victory over the Chancellors (0-2).

His secret? Nothing special.

Just rely on one of the Valley area’s top quarterbacks and a top-notch receiver.

Granada Hills quarterback Jeremy Leach completed 16 of 22 passes for 233 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Two of those touchdown passes were to receiver Kyle Jan, who caught six passes for 123 yards and also ran back an interception for an touchdown.

“They beat us any way you want to cut it,” Chatsworth Coach Myron Gibford said afterward.

The Highlanders outgained the Chancellors 345 yards to 108.

Leach’s third touchdown pass was a nine-yard throw to Daryl Stephenson with 9:42 left in the game, and Charles Fowlks’ conversion kick made it 30-0.

Chatsworth’s score came on a 13-yard halfback pass from Bryan Addison to Dan Joella with 4:50 left in the game.

Jan did all of the Highlanders’ scoring in the first half.

On Granada Hills’ first drive, Leach hit the senior with a 28-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, capping an eight-play, 76-yard drive.

On the team’s next possession, Leach again hit Jan, this time for a 59-yard touchdown reception. Fowlks’ conversion kick gave Granada Hills a 14-0 lead with 5:15 left in the first half.

Jan replaced Sean Brown, who was nursing an ankle injury, at cornerback. Jan intercepted a Ty Powell pass and ran it back 32 yards for his third touchdown of the half with 1:35 left in the second quarter.

In the first half, Jan caught 3 passes for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Leach completed 9 of 13 for 174 yards.

Despite the outcome, Stroh was not pleased with his team’s performance.

“We messed up a lot of stuff and have to work on a lot of things,” Stroh said.

The Highlanders were penalized 11 times for 110 yards.