Granada Hills Retains Its Winning Ways

Granada Hills, once a team stuck in mediocrity, continued its startling turnaround Friday night.

A 45-yard field goal by Tommy Garagliano, a 19-yard touchdown reception by Peter Gunny and a one-yard touchdown run by Omari Mack provided the offense as the unbeaten Highlanders held off host Granada Hills Kennedy, 16-13, in a Northwest Valley Conference game.

Linebacker Josh Roepke intercepted a pass on the Kennedy 14-yard line with 1:16 left to preserve the victory.

It’s no longer a secret as to how Granada Hills, 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference, has improved from last season’s 1-9 record. The team is playing great defense and limiting its mistakes.

No team has scored more than 14 points against the Highlanders. Kennedy (4-3, 2-2) kept the game close because of two rare Granada Hills turnovers.

Gunny fumbled a punt in the second quarter, setting up Jerome Williams’ three-yard touchdown run that gave the Golden Cougars a 7-3 lead.

It was the first time this season Granada Hills has trailed.

Tailback Omari Mack lost a fumble in the fourth quarter, enabling Jason Jones of Kennedy to score on a 25-yard run with 7:07 left, cutting Granada Hills’ lead to 16-13.

The Highlanders held a 10-7 halftime lead, but their offense struggled.

Quarterback Jason Winn completed 13 of 28 passes for 164 yards, but he was only four of 14 in the second half.

Jones rushed for 113 yards in 22 carries.