Malibu High didn’t win its opening football game Saturday, but Coach Ray Humphrey saw a lot of positives in a 20-14 home loss to Bellarmine Jefferson High of Burbank.
“It was a good game,” said Humphrey, the former Santa Monica High assistant who began his second year as the Sharks’ head coach. “We played well enough to win but made some costly mistakes.”
Of the 28 players on the Malibu squad, 20 played in their first varsity game.
The Sharks led at halftime, 7-6, fell behind, tied the game at 14, then gave up the winning touchdown.
Malibu had a chance to score again, but threw an interception deep in Bell-Jeff territory.
“The kids are coachable and the mistakes are correctable,” said Humphrey.
Humphrey cited sophomore quarterback Dusty Kramer, receiver J.P. O’Fallon and senior linebacker Chris Tendell as having outstanding games. O’Fallon’s sprawling catch produced the Sharks’ second touchdown.
Malibu will play Flintridge Prep Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Maranatha High.
Malibu and Brentwood were the only Westside schools to play on the opening weekend. The others will begin their seasons Friday.
Two new head coaches will make their debut – Zach Cuda of Santa Monica and Chris Caminiti of St. Monica.
