Ajani Smith’s loyalty feels sweeter ahead of Golden Valley’s CIF football final

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.Dan Kelley has been coaching high school football for 27 years. The last nine coming as the head coach at Golden Valley High in Santa Clarita. That’s too many players and Friday nights to count, but Ajani Smith stands out.

“I could’ve transferred to a private school,” said Smith, who’s been at Golden Valley all four years. “But I wanted to stay because I believe in my team, and I felt like we had the right mix for a CIF championship and now we’re here.”Golden Valley wide receiver Ajani Smith tries to get through Mayfair’s defense during their CIF-SS Division 7 semifinal on Friday night at Ron Yary Stadium in Bellflower.

Smith has 835 yards and eight touchdowns receiving this season, tallied more than 50 tackles with five interceptions, including a game-sealing pick against Summit in the opening round of the playoffs. He scored on a kickoff return earlier this year and recently rushed for two touchdowns this postseason. He does it all.

Golden Valley is led by a crop of senior leaders that includes Smith, quarterback Christopher Melkonian, linebacker Malachi Beacham, fellow wideout William Hake, and defensive back Dallas Landry, who had three interceptions against Paloma Valley in the quarterfinals.

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