CALABASAS — Dominik Hardy turned in one of the most impressive performances of his high school career as he led Calabasas’ football team past visiting Birmingham, 27-17, Thursday night.
The senior signal caller played with poise all night and the result was him connecting on 16 of 23 passes for 266 yards and throwing four touchdown passes to four different players for the Coyotes (4-0).
“He’s in his third year starting and has really start to slow things down,” said Calabasas coach Cary Harris. “I think this week was his most complete game. He moved the pocket. He found guys open. Four different guys scored. The passing attack was really good.”
Hardy threw touchdowns to Kingston Celifie, Korbin Thomas, Jayden Campos and Ryan Lovejoy to help keep Calabasas unbeaten.
“When I know have four guys that could easily produce on any given night, it makes everything so much easier,” said Hardy. “Any one of them could take a 5-yard hitch and turn into a 90-yard touchdown.”
Celifie broke the scoreless tie in the second quarter after taking pass from Hardy 36 yards for a score. Celifie, who broke the Calabasas school record in the 100 meters last spring, used an impressive stop and go move to make a defender miss before he sprinted in for a touchdown.
“That’s just how he is every play, you know?” said Hardy. “You just don’t know what’s gonna happen with him. He never ceases to amaze me. Every time it’s something spectacular.”
Celifie finished with eight catches for 83 yards while Thomas racked up 113 yards on four catches. The duo have combined on 42 catches, 740 yards and six scores so far this season.
“I can’t even put it into words how good those two are,” said Hardy. “I just get the ball in their hands and they do the rest.”
Paul Turner shined on offense for the Patriots (0-3). The senior receiver pulled in nine catches for 174 yards and a touchdown.
Braylen Morgan chipped in with 75 rushing yards and a touchdown.
“We knew that we were going to have to put pressure on them,” said Harris. “They had some big play receivers, and we wanted to try and keep them contained. They hit some deep passes but I think our guys did a good job of tackling and making it tough to score.”
Calabasas got an interception Aaron Perry as well as a key fourth pass break from Obi Yazdani that helped prevent a Birmingham comeback.
“It’s good to be 4-0 but these guys want more,” said Harris. “We have a big test coming up in two weeks against Ventura and they’re playing really good football. We have some things we know we need to focus on and improve on but we’re in a good spot right now.”