Beverly Hills Celebrates 28-18 Homecoming Victory Over Hawthorne

Beverly Hills High School gave its homecoming crowd a win to celebrate Friday, defeating Hawthorne High School 28-18 at Nickoll Field in a breakthrough for the Normans and head coach Jeff Bailey.

The October 16 victory was the team's first of the season and the program's first since November 2024, according to an October 17 Beverly Hills Unified School District news release. It followed a winless 2025 season.

Beverly Hills players in action during the October 16 homecoming game against Hawthorne.

Beverly Hills players in action during the October 16 homecoming game against Hawthorne.

The homecoming brought together elementary, middle and high school students, families, staff and alumni, including members of the Class of 1976 celebrating their 50-year reunion. Cheerleaders, dancers and the marching band joined the evening's activities.

BHUSD Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri credited the players' commitment through the losses that preceded Friday's result.

The Normans gather on the sideline during their homecoming game against Hawthorne.

The Normans gather on the sideline during their homecoming game against Hawthorne.

"This victory belongs to the students who kept putting on that jersey and giving everything they had for the school and for each other," said BHUSD Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri. "They continued to believe in what they were building, and tonight they earned the opportunity to celebrate it. I hope every player walks off that field knowing how deeply this community believes in them and how much their perseverance means to Beverly Hills."

Bailey joined Beverly Hills High School earlier this year with four CIF championships and more than 30 years of coaching experience, the district said. His approach has emphasized discipline, accountability and preparation.

"When I got here, I said that winning follows discipline. These players have stayed with that work, even when the results were hard to accept," said Head Football Coach and Director of Strength and Conditioning Jeff Bailey. "They kept coming back ready to get better, and they kept showing up for the teammate beside them. Tonight, they earned every bit of this. I want them to enjoy it, understand what it took to get here, and bring that same commitment back to the field."

The district pointed to its Nike and BSN SPORTS partnership, experienced coaching and emphasis on strength and conditioning as parts of its support for student-athletes.

Beverly Hills football players and a coach share a moment on the field at homecoming.

Beverly Hills football players and a coach share a moment on the field at homecoming.

The homecoming celebration also honored seniors Elle Wunder as Homecoming Queen and Jonah Farahi as Homecoming King. In its release, BHUSD recognized its partnerships with the Beverly Hills Police and Fire Departments and their support for the school community.

For the Normans, Friday brought a result their work had not yet produced this season: a victory on their home field, with students, families and alumni there to share it.