Late Rally Powers Chatsworth

Chatsworth High erupted for 29 fourth-quarter points to overcome a six-point deficit and defeat Cleveland, 49-32, in a Northwest Valley Conference game Friday night at Chatsworth.

Quarterback Matt Cassel’s 17-yard touchdown scramble gave Chatsworth (5-1, 2-1 in conference play) a 35-32 lead with 6:40 remaining. Fullback Eric Harris scored on a 45-yard run with 4:29 to play after Chatsworth held Cleveland on downs.

Cassel, a junior, completed 12 of 18 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns, both to Reggie Lee.

Cassel connected with Lee for a 19-yard touchdown pass to open the second-half scoring and pull Chatsworth to within 26-20. Cassel’s 36-yard scoring pass to Lee late in the fourth quarter completed the scoring.

Chatsworth’s Jason Holmes rushed for 100 yards in 13 carries, and scored on runs of five, three and one yard.

Cleveland (1-5, 0-3) dominated in the first half in building a 26-14 lead. Cleveland amassed 363 yards in the half and was successful on all seven third-down conversions.

Eddie Whitaker completed 19 of 32 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Whitaker threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to Andre McIntosh to give Cleveland a 14-6 lead in the first quarter.