Malibu High Football Loses Hard-Fought Season Opener

The Malibu High School football team went toe-to-toe for three and a half quarters Friday night against the Fillmore Flash in their season opener in Fillmore. But missed opportunities for the Sharks and a decisive quick-strike Flash score late in the game settled the question, with the game ending with a 27-7 victory for Fillmore. 

The Flash jumped to an early 7-0 lead, but the Sharks responded with a swarming defense led by seniors Devon Baldinger, Evan Anthony, Dylan Cranson and Hunter Johnson. This effectively shut down the Flash offense for the remainder of the half.

A Shark turnover deep in their own territory gave the Flash their second score, but the Sharks followed with a sustained drive led by sophomore quarterback Dylan Miller and capped by a nifty 12-yard touchdown scamper by senior tailback Nathan Dowler. A field goal attempt by the Sharks fell just short, and the team trailed 14-7 at halftime.

The Sharks' passing game came alive in the second half with Miller hitting favorite wide receive Brennan Cassone (junior) and tight-end Jackson Hurst (senior). The Sharks were knocking on the door with first and goal at the Flash 8-yard line before another turnover frustrated an opportunity to tie the game.

That momentum shift proved impossible for the Sharks to overcome as they turned the ball over one more time late in the game—this time on downs—deep in Flash territory.

Other notable Sharks achievements: Senior Cooper Smart had a career night in kick-off and punt return yardage. Senior kicker Chris Navarro turned heads with booming kicks, which twice pinned the Flash deep in their own territory. Junior center Eddie Johnstone anchored a strong offensive line. Sophomore lineman Cooper Barton was called up for the game, making his varsity debut with highlight-reel tackles on special teams.