On Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, Berkeley High School's varsity football team took on Granada High School in a tough, competitive game. Energy was high in the stands and on the sidelines in support of the Jackets’ second home game of the season.
BHS got off to a strong start early in the first quarter, as quarterback Idan Wade-Curiel completed a pass to sophomore Caleb Wright, bringing the team to the one-yard line. Senior Elijah Edwards powered it into the endzone on the next play, scoring the Jackets' first home touchdown of the season. Sophomore Kai Ferlatte followed with a successful extra point kick, giving the Jackets a 7-0 lead. “Offensively, we specifically focused on moving the ball fast, and moving fast, we didn’t want their defense to have a chance to know what we were doing,” Wade-Curiel said after the game.
BHS had a lot of momentum on defense, a highlight being when senior Jayceon Atkins swatted the ball away, stopping an attempted pass by Granada. However, Granada made a touchdown shortly after, tying the game 7-7. With four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Wade-Curiel attempted a deep pass to Wright, who successfully caught it, scoring the Jackets' second touchdown of the night. However, BHS did not get the extra point, as the ball narrowly missed the pole.
With only two seconds remaining in the second quarter, Granada’s attempt at a touchdown was intercepted by senior Dailen Clark, giving the Jackets a strong defensive stop, entering halftime on a high note and with a 13-7 lead. For Clark, a highlight of the game was the role he played on the defensive end, “communicating and being alert about what they were going to do from watching a lot of film.” As for the Jackets' defensive strategies, “Stop the runs, just make them pass,” senior Robbie Jones said.
In the third quarter, Granada caught up, scoring a touchdown, achieving a 14-13 lead. With only eleven seconds left in the third quarter, Granada executed an 80-yard breakaway play as one of their players ran from one end of the field to the opposite end zone, scoring an easy touchdown, leading 21-13.
In the fourth quarter, Granada scored another touchdown, however, it was taken away due to a pass interference by Granada. The opponents scored again, leading 28-13, and ultimately won the game.
Although this was a tough loss for BHS, the Jackets remain hopeful as the season continues. “I feel good,” Jones said, “You know, we want to get that first one on the board, especially with it being League and being homecoming on Saturday.” With homecoming just around the corner, the Jackets are putting this loss behind them and are excited for what's next.