HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

It was an emotional weekend for Harvard-Westlake.

On Friday night, Gary Thran, the Wolverines’ former football coach and athletic director, was honored at a retirement party.

On Saturday, former coach Dave Bennett was on the field cheering wildly as the Wolverines posted their first victory of the season, 37-27, over Bishop Montgomery in an Angelus League opener.

“I fought back tears,” said Bennett, who was forced to give up coaching because of knee problems and moved to his hometown of Wilbraham, Mass.

“I was so happy for the kids. I did everything I could to stay off the sideline. It was hard.”

Quarterback Richard Irvin said Bennett’s presence provided a lift for a Wolverine team that lost its first seven games.

“It was good to hear from him,” Irvin said.

First-year Coach Chris Johnson has kept his young team working hard, and the Wolverines could be a playoff contender.

“They needed that win,” Johnson said. “It seems like we turned the corner.”

Sammy Delrahim caught seven passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Aaron Alexander-Bloch returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.