Eagles leave no doubt in revenge win at Hoover
- Updated: September 26, 2015
By Ramon Scott
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (9-26-15) — The Granite Hills Eagles won big at the scene of last year’s bizarre San Diego Section playoff loss at Hoover High. 
Last season, the Cardinals eliminated Granite Hills in a “fog bowl” game that severely limited the Eagles’ air attack in the second half.
On Friday (Sept. 25), the Eagles left nothing to chance, returning a pair of fumbles for touchdowns in the first half of a non-league game on the way to a 41-6 win.
KELLEN GAIER returned a bad snap on a punt attempt 32 yards for an Eagles’ touchdown to make it 7-0.
Another Hoover turnover led to a BRYCE STRICKLAND’s 31-yard field goal, which gave Granite Hills a 10-0 lead.
Granite Hills’ Lyndon Hamilton rushes against host Hoover Friday night. (photo by Charles Scott Photography)
Strickland finished with 2 field goals and 5-for-5 PATs.
The Cardinals’ third turnover, a bad snap out of the pistol, resulted in a 35-yard scoop ‘n score fumble return for a touchdown by JACOB BURTON to put the Eagles ahead 17-0.
“Our defense controlled the line of scrimmage,” Eagles coach KELLAN COBBS said. “When the ball was on the ground, we capitalized.”
THOMAS YOUMOG added touchdown runs of 3 and 7 yards, as the Eagles led 31-6. On his 7-yard jaunt, Youmog came in motion to the left and took an inside handoff from his split end position on the right side, cutting up to the goal at the left hash for a 24-0 lead in the first quarter.
(Photo by Charles Scott Photography)
Youmog finished with 64 yards on 11 rushes to go along with his 2 scores.
Upfront, the Eagles push was led by linemen BRENDAN DENNY, CARLOS RAMIREZ and KALVIN SANDERS.
Hoover star back Demontauz Gray had an 80-yard touchdown run to breathe some life into the Cardinals, cutting a first-half deficit to 24-6. Gray finished with 210 yards for Hoover on 28 carries.
The Eagles would force a fourth turnover later in the game and the defense finished with four tackles for loss overall.
The Eagles’ Riley Reyes can’t be brought down Friday night in a win at Hoover. (Charles Scott Photography photo)
Also contributing to the staunch defensive effort against the Cards were JOSEPH MAZZENGA, NOAH JOUBERT, ELYJAH PALOMERA, DURADE AQILI and ROBERT GUERRERO.
“The preparation paid off this week,” Burton said. “It was awesome to scoop the ball and score.”
