South Torrance Runs Past Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills High failed to live up to its No. 1 ranking in the Southern Section Division VIII Friday, losing at home to South Torrance, 28-18.

“We came up here expecting a tough game and it was,” said Don Morrow, South Torrance’s coach. “The difference (was) that we were able to control the line of scrimmage.”

South Torrance improved to 4-1 and probably will improve on its No. 7 ranking in Division VIII. Beverly Hills dropped to 4-1.

Mike Lee’s one-yard touchdown run gave South Torrance a 7-0 halftime lead. Lee finished with 139 yards in 12 carries and two touchdowns.

Beverly Hills quarterback Ziv Gottlieb ran a hurry-up offense in the second half. Although he moved the Normans downfield in the third quarter, Gottlieb could not get them into the end zone. Beverly Hills settled for a 25-yard field goal from Michael Rappoport for its first points.

South Torrance then put its running game in motion, with Lee leading the way. His 24-yard touchdown run in the third quarter increased the lead to 14-3.

“It wasn’t just our running on offense. Our quarterback (Alan Hook) can call any play at the line for us,” Morrow said. “I think that may have been the key today.”

Hook completed four of seven passes for 44 yards and rushed for 120 yards in 17 carries.

Ryan Brady added 118 rushing yards in 18 carries and a touchdown for the Spartans.

Beverly Hills rallied behind the passing of Gottlieb to David Saraf.

Saraf scored on an eight-yard pass in the third quarter and added a 14-yard touchdown catch midway through the fourth as Beverly Hills trimmed the lead to 21-18.

Gottlieb completed 23 of 37 passes for 272 yards. He threw two interceptions.

Beverly Hills got the ball back with 2:32 remaining, but Gottlieb was tripped up on fourth and 10 at midfield.

South Torrance kept the ball on the ground, with Brady scoring on a 32-yard run with 52 seconds remaining.

“Our main goal was to contain Gottlieb,” Morrow said. “And though it was not as we would have liked, we did that to some degree.”