In their strongest performance yet, the football team defeated Royal High School 25-14, led by Ellis Robinson ’27 with three rushing touchdowns. The Wolverines improve to 2-2 on the season.
With the loss of starting quarterback Aaryan Mehdi Williams ’27, the team has shifted to a run-only offense without receivers, with running backs taking snaps and running with blockers.
This run offense started off slow in the first half, as Robinson and Kurtis Walter ’27 struggled to find openings in the pocket and gain yardage. The Royal Highlanders struck first with a rushing touchdown five minutes into the second quarter, marching down the field with several pass completions. But the Wolverines offense started to gain momentum, with strong blockers, misdirection plays and a key fourth down conversion setting up the offense well in the red zone for Robinson’s first touchdown.
To start the second half, the defense immediately forced a three-and-out from the Highlanders, giving the offense decent field position at their own 40-yard-line. Walter broke free for a 20 yard gain to start, but immediately after it was Robinson with arguably the play of the game: an electric 40-yard carry past all defenders for his second touchdown of the game, making the score 15-7.
The defense continued to show out in the fourth quarter, with key contributions from defensive end Mateo Arroyo ’25 returning from injury. Royal would go for it on fourth down near their own end zone, but a crucial stop from cornerback Elijah Williams ’25 turned the ball over to the Wolverines at the Highlanders’ 30-yard-line. The surging run offense capitalized on the mistake with strong runs for first downs, and Robinson scored his third touchdown of the game to make the score 25-7 with eight minutes remaining in the game.
Royal would try to rally, scoring on a short passing touchdown and recovering an onside kick fumbled by the Wolverines, the score 25-14. But it was Walter and safety Dylan Fullmer ’27 with interceptions late in the quarter to seal the victory on defense.
In an interview with HWTV, Football Program Head Aaron Huerta said he will continue to develop the offense with the loss of quarterback Mehdi Williams and hopes to build off the team’s strong performance in upcoming weeks.
“I think our defense is doing a good job, but offensively, we’re just going to keep adding,” Huerta said. “Winning is contagious, so we hope we keep rolling.”
Robinson said the team has been able to fall back on each other with the loss of their starting quarterback.
“This year we have really good team chemistry, so that’s been able to carry us through games like this,” Robinson said. “ Aaryan is a big loss to us, but being able to bounce back is really big for us, and not taking the loss too hard.”
The team will next face Palisades High School at home Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:00 P.M.
