CHAMINADE PASSES OVER ROYAL IN WIN GRIFFIN SHARP IN 1ST GAME AS EAGLE CHAMINADE 26, ROYAL 11.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer

During pre-game warm ups, Chaminade of West Hills quarterback Ryan Griffin completed passes with precision left and right.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior seemed to stand confident in the pocket as he dropped back to look for his receivers.

Griffin, who transferred from Loyola of Los Angeles, continued his accuracy during a 26-11 nonleague win against visiting Royal of Simi Valley on Friday night at Vukelich Field.

Chaminade hopes it found the quarterback that can lead the team to a Mission League title this year.

Griffin gave his new team faith by completing 14 of 24 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener for both teams.

The Eagles' chances of a title might have increased after former Mission League rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks was moved to the Serra League to accompany Crespi, Bishop Amat and Griffin's former team.

Coach Ben McEnroe's team came one win away from the league title last year with a 4-1 record in league play. The lone league loss came against perennial powerhouse Notre Dame.

``It's a little different going from an 80-man team to a 30-man team,'' Griffin said about the move. ``We have the skilled players and the line is good.''

As for taking the Eagles to a league championship and into the playoffs, Griffin added: ``I'd like to get one for them. I know the coaches want one.''

On Friday, Griffin threw three touchdown passes to Audrey Smith, who had seven receptions for 188 yards.

On his third touchdown catch, Smith froze a defender and dashed 65 yards to the end zone for a 19-3 Eagles' lead.

The Highlanders tried to assemble a comeback with a Jared Devo 10-yard touchdown run and a subsequent two-point conversion with 8:29 left.

But Griffin put the game away with 1:44 left on a 1-yard quarterback sneak.

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