Grizzlies run by Panthers
The undefeated Granite Hills High School football team shutout Corcoran 35-0 on the Grizzlies homecoming night to win their first East Sequoia League game since 2014.
“You talk to them a lot this week about being [winless in] league and that’s very important to our guys,” GHHS head coach Dan Williams. “I think they came out and didn’t play like they should’ve played, but to get a win — our first league win in two years — that’s a great feel.”
Playing at Jacob Rankin Stadium Friday night, Granite Hills (6-0, 1-0 ESL) scored on their first two drives after their defense forced Corcoran to punt twice after not picking up first downs inside their own 20-yard line.
From the Panthers’ 21-yard line GHHS junior quarterback Lalo Alcantar pitched the ball out to senior wide receiver Kenny Xayacheck who looked left then weaved right to score the Grizzlies first touchdown of the game. Granite Hills star running back Jasper Berumen scored a 51-yard touchdown on the team’s next drive and put his team up 14-0 five minutes into the first quarter.
“I was just doing it for the team,” Berumen said about the big run. “I was just thinking in my head that I have to get this [touchdown].”
Official stats were not available, but Berumen had over 100 well into the third quarter of the game for his fifth 100-yard game of the season and also scored a 7-yard touchdown to start the fourth quarter. Prior to the game, Berumen was ranked second in the CIF Central Section Division VI and East Sequoia League in yards (748), touchdowns (11), and points scored (66).
“I sure like that kid, “Williams said. “He’s a warrior. He runs the ball tough. He’s getting back to 100 percent, he’s playing without his [knee] brace now. We’re excited about what’s going to happen the next couple of games.”
Granite Hills defense played well all night with senior free safety Seth Luna getting two sacks and blocking a field goal, while seniors Diego Millan and Alejandro Linares each recovering a Corcoran fumble. Their defensive line also gave up no big runs, while the Panthers’ offense only got inside the Grizzlies’ 20-yard line once.
“We’re playing pretty good defense,” Williams said. “We’ve only given up 19 points now in six games now. So we’re playing good defense. If we continue to score, I’m liking our odds.”
Granite Hills picked up long touchdowns early in the game with Alcantar connecting with senior tight end Zane Roberts for a 31yard touchdown in the second quarter. The final score of the game came from Luna, who took junior quarterback Andy Garcia’s handoff 12-yards for an easy score. Instead of kicking a field goal, Garcia ran the ball in for a successful 2-point conversion and the 35-0 lead.
“Just trying to work on things,” Williams said. “You don’t get that opportunity very often so when you get that opportunity and the game is where it’s at, we needed to work on some stuff. It’s not that we were trying to do anything deceitful or anything of that nature.”
Granite Hills travels to Lindsay (1-4, 0-0 ESL) Friday, Oct. 13 for a 7:15 p.m. ESL game.