Unbeaten Bell High commands respect

On Friday, Bell High School trounced Eagle Rock, 41-16, to remain unbeaten.

In the win, Bell senior quarterback Adrian Lopez completed 12 of 15 passes for 306 yards and five touchdowns. Two of the touchdown passes went to junior receiver Keith Blackstone, who caught five passes for 125 yards.

Bell (3-0) has averaged 33.7 points this season, its opponents just 11.7. But as strong as Bell looks on the field, it has faced some challenges off it, particularly in fundraising.

And aside from the poor economic climate and continual state budget cuts, head football Coach Frank Medina said the struggles are related to the massive corruption scandal in which current and former Bell city officials allegedly overcharged residents and businesses by about $5.6 million in taxes and fees.

“It’s definitely a trickle-down effect,” Medina said. “Any time we go ask for donations, they’re reluctant — and I can see why. They’re having trouble just staying afloat.”

The team now sells warm churros on campus twice a week and attends TV show tapings as audience members, which Medina said can earn about $10 per player.

But during at least one of the tapings, a person associated with the show mocked the players for the scandal. “He was humiliating us,” Lopez said.

Medina said he pulled that person aside and told him: “Whatever the city did and what we do are two different entities. Leave it alone.”

Blackstone said chiding over the scandal makes him “want to come out here and play harder.” After three dominant wins, it seems the whole team does too.

Smith dominant in return for Granada Hills

Just days after being declared eligible by the City Section, Jacob Smith made his debut for the Granada Hills Highlanders on Friday night and came away with 171 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a 42-13 victory over Sun Valley Poly.

Smith had spent months trying to become eligible after transferring from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame to Canyon Country Canyon and then Granada Hills.

“It was so much fun,” he said of his return to the football field. “I was thinking about it for a month. I enjoyed it so much.”

Smith’s blazing speed has convinced his coach, Billy Parra, who loves the passing game, to become a fan of the running game.

“It’s changed my philosophy,” Parra said.

Quick hits

Rosemead (2-1) running back Matt Fregoso rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns in his team’s 21-7 victory over San Marino (2-1). … Behind quarterback Grant Palmer’s four total touchdowns (three passing), El Segundo (4-0) beat West Torrance, 36-10, to remained undefeated. … Inglewood (2-1) compiled 374 offensive yards in just 30 plays in its 55-0 win against Los Angeles High.

baxter.holmes@latimes.com

Times staff writer Eric Sondheimer contributed to this report.