Highlanders still kings of Hills
- Updated: October 28, 2017
ISAIAH WOODEN is lifted to the air by teammate RASHAD SCOTT in the first quarter Friday night. / Eastcountysports photo
Helix’s ISAIAH WOODEN scores on a flea-flicker on the game’s second play. / EastCountySports photo
2017 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
HELIX 57, GROSSMONT 3
By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com
LA MESA – When Helix beat Grossmont 56-2 in 1982, the Foothillers painted the score of the game on their locker room wall to remind them of the defeat the Highlanders had inflicted on them as motivation for the next year’s class.
Helix brings down SHEVELL STERLING JR. Friday night. / EastCountySports photo
35 years later, the Foothillers are seemingly still searching to come up with a way to beat their neighborhood foe.
No. 2 Helix (8-1, 4-0 Grossmont Hills League) scored quickly and often, taking a 35-0 lead in the first quarter and tied that series record from ’82 for winning scoring margin with a 57-3 victory at Mashin Stadium.
It is the 21st straight time that the Highlanders have defeated Grossmont.
Helix leads the all-time series, first contested in 1951, 42-18-2. The teams did not meet in 2002-03, ’05, ’07 or ’09.
The Helix Highlanders are bound to pick up a few more first-place votes with the media this week with the resounding win that practically guarantees them another Grossmont Hills League championship.
This after top-ranked Mission Hills outlasted tough top-five conference foe Torrey Pines by just a 24-23 margin.
Helix travels to Valhalla in the season-finale next Friday.
Highlanders’ quarterback CARSON BAKER completed 12-of-16 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns.
Helix scored on the game’s second play with a flea-flicker as Baker threw a 53-yard touchdown to ISAIAH WOODEN.
Helix sophomore running back ELELYON “FATTO” NOA returned after a four-game absence with a broken hand and rushed for 191 yards and scored three touchdowns on 18 carries.
Noa had a 20-yard touchdown to make it 14-0, as he accounted for all the yards on the 68-yard
A snap over the punter’s head led to an easy touchdown for ISAAC TAYLOR-STUART, who just picked up the pigskin after the punter couldn’t clear the ball and it was 20-0 with 7:37 left in the first.
Our post game interview with #20 Helix ATH Isaac Taylor-stuart! @helixdawghouse @Helix_SN @HelixScotties @HelixASB @HelixFootball @RamonScottPoker @EC_Preps_SD pic.twitter.com/LSwhmXH9rS
— So Cal Sidelines (@SoCalSidelines) October 28, 2017
Baker threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to TERRANCE TOLBERT for a four-score lead still in the first.
Noa added a 5-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the opening period to make it 35-0. He also had a receiving touchdown.
Our post game interview with #20 Helix RB Elelyon Noa. @helixdawghouse @Helix_SN @HelixScotties @HelixASB @HelixFootball @RamonScottPoker @EC_Preps_SD pic.twitter.com/IlFu6HPUXY
— So Cal Sidelines (@SoCalSidelines) October 28, 2017
Helix senior RASHAD SCOTT scored on a second-quarter free kick, returning the boot 55 yards for the touchdown.
Helix safety JAYDEN TAUANU’U had an interception for Helix.
FATTO NOA carries for Helix Friday night. / EastCountySports photo
Grossmont appeared to gain some momentum for the moment on their first series of the game after sophomore quarterback JAMIE ODOM hit DESMOND CARTER with a short pass, that the speedy receiver turned into a big gainer of 59 yards down inside the Highlanders’ 10.
However, Helix turned the Hillers away and Grossmont botched the snap on a field goal attempt.
Grossmont completed a long pass in the second quarter to set up a 35-yard field goal from AMBER HUFF with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
Two minutes later, Grossmont recovered a fumble, but the Helix defense promptly turned the miscue into in a safety.
Helix sophomore DELSHAWN TRAYLOR scored a touchdown in the third quarter for Helix on an 8-yard run.
Our post game interview with with #20 Helix coach Robert Owens! @helixdawghouse @Helix_SN @HelixScotties @HelixASB @HelixFootball @EC_Preps_SD @RamonScottPoker pic.twitter.com/6rTBkIh3qt
— So Cal Sidelines (@SoCalSidelines) October 28, 2017
The second half was played with a running clock, as have many games throughout county this season.
Tolbert had four receptions for 65 yards, while Taylor rushed for 72 yards on nine carries.
Grossmont senior quarterback DYLAN SMITH was 9-of-19 for 104 yards.
Foothiller senior ZAK FERRIS had four receptions for 59 yards.
Grossmont’s Desmond Carter makes a long reception in the first quarter Friday night against Helix. / EastCountySports photo
Helix blocked a punt in the first half.
Grossmont (6-3, 3-1) is at West Hills next Friday in the regular season finale.
The Foothillers are likely still on track for a first-round bye in the Division I playoffs, but can’t afford an upset loss at the hands of the Wolf Pack.
Helix seems to be firmly seated as the No. 2-seed in the Open Division.
A win over Valhalla next week with give the Highlanders a third-consecutive Grossmont Hills League championship and seventh in eight years.
