El Camino Real Dominates Granada Hills with 28-8 Victory

Granada Hills entered Friday night “the favorite” after toppling Taft to open league play. El Camino Real, meanwhile, was searching for redemption after collapsing in the second half against Birmingham. In the rugged West Valley League, though, success is all about matchups and execution. And Royals head coach Rick Hayashida had both dialed in.

Highlanders coach Bucky Brooks faced an uphill battle without two of his defensive anchors, defensive end Jusawn Davis (shoulder) and All-City nose tackle Jayden Garcia. But injuries are part of the midseason grind, and the Royals had their own – losing starting QB Arturo Acevedo for the year. His replacement, sophomore Gabriel Varga, who’d been inconsistent in his starts, was able to get into rhythm and never let up.

A football player in black uniform runs with the ball, while teammates and opponents are positioned on the field during a game.

A football player in a black jersey is being tackled by a player in a white jersey during a game, with several other players in action in the background.

Granada opened in the Wildcat with 1,000-yard rusher Dean Rosales taking the direct snaps, but every yard came at the cost of vicious El Camino gang-tackles.

After Granada’s opening drive stalled, El Camino took over at its own 32 and Hayashida unleashed his plan: short, precise passes. Varga was sharp, going 4-for-4 on the opening drive, capping it with a 36-yard strike to AJ Gupta for a 7–0 lead.

A football player in a white uniform attempts to catch a football on the field.

A football player in a white uniform evades multiple defenders in dark green uniforms during a high school game.

Brooks rotated to sophomore QB Taiyo Dorio on the second series but the Royals’ defense, led by linebacker Shane Bogacz, suffocated every attempt, forcing another punt. Varga kept rolling, mixing quick throws with scrambles, and finished a 68-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak to make it 14–0 early in the second quarter.

Two football players celebrating after a play on the field, with one player lifting the other in excitement. The background shows spectators and a referee.

Granada found life late in the 2nd quarter when Rosales finally broke free and ripped off a 27-yard run. Michael Osuna punched in a short TD, and Rosales tacked on the two-point conversion to close the gap to 14–8 at the half.

A football player in a white uniform with blue accents, number 15, prepares to throw the ball while being pressured by a defender in a black uniform, number 57, on the field during a game.

A football player in a white uniform reaches for a soaring football while another player in a black uniform trails behind, with a 'Granada' sign visible in the background.

The Royals, however, wasted no time reasserting control after halftime. Hayashida stayed the course: short, efficient passes setting up power runs. Varga hit Gupta for another long gain before Bogacz bulldozed into the end zone to extend the lead to 21–8.

From there, El Camino’s defense slammed the door. Matthew Farias briefly gave Granada hope after intercepting a Varga pass, but Brody Lauritzen answered with a pick of his own.

A high school football player in a black jersey runs with the ball while being pursued by two defenders in white jerseys. The background shows a crowd in a stadium.

An El Camino Real football player jumps to catch a pass while another teammate runs past, and a Granada Hills defender pursues in a high school football game.

The Royals capitalized on the turnover with Bogacz breaking free for a 30-yard run, and Takia Campbell icing the game with a long touchdown burst, sealing a 28–8 statement win.

Brooks refused to use his missing players as an excuse for the loss, “That had nothing to do with it,” he said. “(ELCO) outplayed us. They did a really good job shutting down our offense. They made plays on offense. Today was their day.”

A football player in a white uniform leaps high to catch a pass while two defenders in black jerseys attempt to block him during a night game.

A high school football player in a black uniform, wearing number 10, is in the process of throwing a football while running on the field with the name 'Granada Hills' prominently displayed in the background.

Hayashida credited his DC for the outcome. “Coach Perry came up with a great scheme,” he said. “The kids bought in and held Granada to eight points. That’s pretty hard to do.”

Varga finished with a career night, going 16-of-21 for 233 yards, one touchdown, one interception. Gupta, his favorite target, hauled in seven catches for 147 yards and a score.

A football player from El Camino Real is evading a tackle from an opposing player on the field during a game.

High school football players in action during a game, with one athlete being tackled by another while teammates and spectators are seen in the background.

With the loss, the Highlanders fall to 3-4 (1-1) and will look to bounce back against Chatsworth next Friday.

The 3-4 (1–1) Royals will face a tough test against Cleveland next week, but this past Friday night they reminded everyone that in the West Valley, the right plan and perfect execution can change everything.

All photos by Benjamin Becher