GRANADA HILLS — In a thrilling football game, the Granada Hills Highlanders won the 2026 Charter Bowl against the Palisades Dolphins on Thursday night.
With a big interception by Granada Hills’ Myles Cross with one minute left in the game, the Highlanders won 28-23.
Cross was happy to come up with the big play for his team.
“I knew I had to step up,” Cross said. “My team wasn’t going to stop fighting and that’s what we do.”
Palisades got off to a hot start on its first possession. Quarterback Robert Holohan III connected with wide receiver Malachi Ross for a 27-yard touchdown. The extra point was good as Palisades took a 7-0 lead.
The Highlanders responded on the next drive as running back turned quarterback Wale Adeleye scored on a 3-yard run. The 2-point conversion attempt failed as Troy Verso was tackled near the end zone and Palisades led 7-6.
To start the second quarter, the Palisades defense stepped up, tackling Granada Hills’ Ryan Rodriguez in the end zone for a 9-6 lead.
Palisades extended its lead as Holohan III scored on a 1-yard run after faking the handoff to LJ Stephens. The extra point try was good and Palisades took a 16-6 lead into halftime.
Things shifted in the second half as the Cross show began at quarterback, even though he plays in another position. His first score came on a 9-yard run. The 2-point conversion was good and the Highlanders were down by two, 16-14.
The Highlanders recovered the ensuing onside kick. That would lead to Cross scoring his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run for a 20-16 lead.
Cross continued to put on a show, adding a 2-yard touchdown run to extend the Highlanders’ lead to 28-16.
Palisades showed signs of life towards the end of the game as Holohan III handed it off to Stephens for an 8-yard touchdown run cutting the Granda Hills’ lead to 28-23.
Palisades’ defense stepped up to get the football back with a minute left, but on the next play, Holohan III’s pass was picked off by Cross.
Granada Hills head coach Bucky Brooks was pleased with the team’s performance in the second half.
“I really liked how we responded,” Brooks said. “We stuck together and believed in each other.”
Brooks reflected on Cross’s performance.
“He is a great player,” Brooks said. “He didn’t play well last week, but today he bounced back.”
Palisades head coach Dylen Smith recognized his team’s effort as well.
“This team played hard until the very end, but it was costly mistakes that hurt us,” Smith said. “We haven’t been consistent with a lot of things, and that’s on me to make those changes.”
With the win, Granada Hills improved to 2-1, while Palisades dropped to 0-3.
The Highlanders are back next Friday for another rivalry game. They host Kennedy at 7 p.m.
Palisades hosts Brentwood School on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.