Normans Football Wins Home Opener

In danger of dropping its second game of the season, the Beverly Hills High varsity football team rose to the occasion to pull out its home opener over San Marcos, 20-14, Friday night at Nickoll Field.

It was a wild finish, with three touchdowns scored in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter. A malfunctioning scoreboard clock added to the drama, as fans could only guess how much time remained.

Both schools were hungry for their first victory. Beverly Hills lost 27-6 against another Channel League foe, Santa Barbara, in its season opener on the road the week before. San Marcos entered Friday's match having lost away games to Lompoc Cabrillo and Rio Mesa.   

After a scoreless first half, the Normans struck first on a pass play from Cameron Countryman to Willie Green, but San Marcos tied it 7-7 later in the third quarter when linebacker Andres Valensuela returned an interception for a touchdown.

Norman Frank Brown made a huge impact on both sides of the ball. He rushed 24 times for 101 yards and one touchdown, and caught two passes for 10 yards. He also intercepted San Marcos quarterback Wesley Gibson three times for 54 yards—the last setting up a long touchdown run that gave BHHS a 20-7 lead.

Gibson threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Thayer on the Royals' ensuing drive, narrowing Beverly Hills' lead to 20-14. It wasn't until the Normans recovered the following onside kick that the victory was in hand.

Green had six receptions for 161 yards. Countryman completed nine of 14 passes for 182 yards and rushed for 56 yards in three carries. Ole Woods made eight tackles and Jared Forman had a sack on defense for the BHHS squad. Laemmle gained 40 yards on three punt return runs but missed a field goal for the Normans.

Beverly Hills is on the fringe of the CIF Southern Section's Western Division rankings, just outside the Top 10. The team will continue non-league play Friday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Panthers (1-1) will try to rebound from their 42-7 loss at the hands of Culver City.  

Culver City (2-0) began the week ranked No. 7 in the Western Division. The Normans' other Ocean League rivals—Santa Monica (2-0) and defending champion Inglewood (1-2)—also won their Week 2 games.

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