Highlanders all business until finish
- Updated: October 15, 2016
2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
HELIX 45, EL CAPITAN 14
By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com
LAKESIDE – Helix took care of business in the first half Friday night against the host El Capitan Vaqueros, then had some fun in the second half in a 45-14 Grossmont Hills League victory.
Helix’s SCOTTIE YOUNG scored first on a 68-yard play from quarterback CARSON BAKER, when his delayed crossing route turned into a long score after he sped across the field after hauling in the aerial at his own 45, then gave several stiff arms to some El Cap defenders along the way.
MATTHIAS LAYTON, a senior, booted a 32-yard field goal to make it 10-0 Highlanders at the end of one.
Baker threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver JORDAN JACKSON to give the Highlanders a 17-0 lead.
Senior MARJAAN FLOURNOY scored on a 1-yard TD run to extend the Scotties’ lead to 24-0.
Later in the second quarter, Helix (5-2, 2-0 GHL) ran a perfect delayed screen against a rush that had six Vaqueros in the backfield at the helm of Baker, but he floated a short pass to senior EZEKIEL NOA just off the blitz, and he got a pair of down field blocks for a 24-yard score, which made it 31-0.
In the third quarter, Noa stepped in front of a would-be screen and returned the ball 18 yards for a touchdown, making it 38-0 after three quarters..
El Capitan (3-4, 0-2 GHL) scored on a pass from freshman quarterback WICK HAUSER to RYAN DUMAS, who made a great over-the-shoulder catch in the far left corner of the end zone, putting the Vaqueros on the scoreboard.
Then came the fun for the Highlanders.
On the Vaqueros’ ensuing kickoff, Helix mishandled the kick, but MUGHEN BLUE picked it up and started up field for a planned hand off to RASHAD SCOTT. Scott started to come back across the field, but has he was nearly taken down he escaped, only to find a host of El Cap special teamers all over him. Somehow, he flailed the ball with his left hand to Young, who ran back from the four line to just outside the goal before he got around the chase and found wide-open space down the right sideline for what turned out to be a length of the field touchdown return, although credited with just 86 yards.
“If you’ve ever seen The Longest Yard, they call it ‘baby-back bull skit,’ ” Young said. “We planned on the sidelines, whoever got the ball just pitch it back to the open guy and try to go score.”
El Capitan used two timeouts with a running clock and less than :30 left to score a touchdown, making it 45-14 Helix with 14.8 left in the game.
Hauser hit ANTONIO OLIVIERI with a 3-yard score at the finish.
BLAYKE DE LA ROSA had a fumble recovery for Helix in the second quarter.
Hauser was 15-for-22 for 210 yards, along with one interception.
Dumas caught four passes for 131 yards, including a a 58-yarder.
JAVIER VIDALEZ caught four passes for the Vaqueros, which managed just five first downs for the game against the Highlanders’ defense.
Helix’s offensive front of juniors ISAIAH MANN, ROBERT HUNTER, DAVID WARREN and WILLIAM PAYNE looked like a large wall in front of the El Capitan’s defense.
The Highlanders got strong defensive efforts from seniors JESSE LEASAU, KAMERON TIUMALU, D’ANDRE FIELDS and junior MLB REE REE PATANE.
El Capitan senior OSCAR VALENZUELA had a sack of Baker.
Helix travels over to surging West Hills (5-2) next week, while the Vaqueros take on a likely steaming-mad Valhalla (6-1).
