Strong Second Half Lifts Granada Hills

Granada Hills High co-Coach Tom Harp was an assistant at Cleveland the last time the Cavaliers beat Granada Hills, way back in 1980. Since then, Granada Hills has won 10 in a row over Cleveland, including a 27-13 victory in a Northwest Valley Conference game at Granada Hills on Friday night.

It has happened in every way, shape and form. Take it from Steve Landress, the coach who has been on the losing end for most of them. This time, Cleveland blew a 13-6 lead.

“Every year, Tom says that if you wait around long enough, Cleveland will wear down,” Landress said. “It’s getting pretty bad. Even my son is talking about going to Granada Hills.”

Good thing Landress’ son, Jimmy, is only 13 years old, because the Highlanders have the quarterback position sewn up for another year. Junior quarterback Bryan Martin was nearly perfect, completing 13 of 15 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns to lead the comeback.

Jermaine Love caught six passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. William Moringlane pulled in four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown and also hauled in a two-point conversion in the second quarter that put Granada Hills ahead for good, 14-13.

Cleveland (3-3, 2-2 in league play) benefitted from healthy field position to take a 13-6 lead, with six points coming on Frank Diana field goals of 26 and 33 yards.

In the second half, it was all Granada Hills (7-0, 4-0). Cleveland was held to three first downs and Martin completed all six passes he attempted. The Highlanders scored on their first two possessions of the second half.