Let's Try This Again: Fairfax Looks for Football Turnaround

After advancing to the City Section Division II football quarterfinals or further six times over the past seven seasons, including winning the championship last season, endured a rough opener last week, falling 51-14 at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City in an ugly defeat marred by five turnovers – two returned for touchdowns – and a safety.

“They kicked our butts,” said Fairfax coach Shane Cox.

The Lions have no choice but to pick themselves up by the boot straps because there is a lot of football to be played, including a game tonight at 7 at Canoga Park (1-1), as Fairfax tries to round itself into form in preparation for Western League competition.

It’s not going to be easy now that star running back Matt Bowen has graduated and moved on to College of the Canyons, but after the whipping Fairfax took in the opener, there is no where to go but up.

The odds were stacked against Fairfax from the beginning considering so many top players in addition to Bowen have graduated from last year’s team, and it does not help that the first three games are on the road – the home opener does not arrive until a Sept. 30 matchup with Marshall of L.A. – so Fairfax would love to turn things around tonight.

While the Lions are rebuilding, Canoga Park is among the San Fernando Valley’s most improved teams, having benefitted from the arrival of impact transfers Edgar Delgado from Valley Mission League rival Panorama and Kyhree Morgan from Taft. Delgado, a linebacker, is the reigning league defensive MVP, and Morgan, a running back who sat out last season because of an injury, is highly touted.

Plus, Canoga Park features multi-purpose back Rany Uzoma, one of the City Section’s fastest players and a recent Nevada commit.

“Canoga has a Division I receiver, and they’re averaging 157 yards a game running the ball, so they have a balanced attack,” Cox said. “We need to play assignment football to stop their pistol offense and to eliminate the offensive turnovers we had last week against Harvard-Westlake.”

Uzoma has scored two touchdowns while averaging 21 yards per reception, and he also has 10 tackles and an interception.

Like Fairfax, Canoga Park struggled in its first game, blowing a 10-point halftime lead in a 30-10 opening loss to Jefferson. But the Hunters found their groove last week with a 49-0 win over Hollywood, as Morgan rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yarder, and the Hunters forced five turnovers and jumped to a 35-point halftime lead.

Joe Floyd, Fairfax’s returning quarterback, had his ups and downs in the opener, completing 9 of 23 for 101 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Earl Pugh added 113 yards rushing, but both he and Floyd lost a fumble.

Canoga Park quarterback Fabian Alomar sat out last week because of disciplinary reasons, but he's scheduled to start tonight, coach Ivan Moreno said this morning. Alomar is among the top returning quarterbacks in the San Fernando Valley.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TONIGHT

Fairfax (0-1) at Canoga Park (1-1), 7 p.m. – Fairfax, rebuilding after graduating most of its key starters from last year’s City Section Div. II championship team, looks to rebound from a 37-point opening loss at Harvard-Westlake.