HS FOOT: Smith and Szin have Granada Hills on rise

Now that Jacob Smith has won his hardship appeal and is proving to be a top running back for Granada Hills, no one should count out the Highlanders as an outside favorite to knock off high-powered Taft for the West Valley League championship.

Smith, a junior from Notre Dame via Canyon, has averaged 8.8 yards per carry while rushing for 653 yards with nine touchdowns in four games.

Smith's presence has made quarterback Josh Szin better, too, because defenses are forced to key on Smith, one of California's fastest players and a top track sprinter. In a 42-14 win over El Camino Real last week, Smith rushed for 170 yards on 16 carries and scored three touchdowns, and Szin was 6 of 6 for 143 yards and four touchdowns, including a 38-yarder to Smith.

Szin has completed 75 percent for 694 yards and seven touchdowns.