Noa’s back in end zone for Highlanders
- Updated: September 29, 2018
Noa scores on Friday night.
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
HELIX 41, EL CAPITAN 7
By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com
LAKESIDE – After missing nearly three games to start the season, Helix High junior ELELYON “FATTO” NOA fell behind the county’s other top backs in one of his favorite rushing categories.
Noa had just three rushing touchdowns entering Helix’s sixth game of the season, but he scored five touchdowns, including four in the first half, as the fourth-ranked Highlanders defeated host El Capitan, 41-7, in the Grossmont Hills League opener for both teams on Friday night.
Noa scored on a 26-yard touchdown just 2:51 into the game to cap an 80-yard drive that made it to the end zone despite three holding penalties against the Highlanders on the series.
The Vaqueros then stung the Scotties on the next series by taking a 7-6 lead as El Capitan quarterback Wick Hauser hit receiver Jefty Reyes down the seam behind broken coverage for a 67-yard score.
The Highlanders’ botched PAT snap was the difference early.
Noa, however, rushed for five touchdowns as No. 4 Helix wore down the Vaqueros, 41-7, in the Grossmont Hills League opener for both teams.
Noa had a 53-yard run on the first play of the game’s third series, then a few plays later senior quarterback Daniel Amon floated a short out pass to Chris Rivera, who was wrestled out at the 1.
Noa bulldozed in from there to give the Highlanders a 13-7 lead with 7:15 to go in the first quarter.
El Cap’s Yaphet Yokley, one of the area’s top kick return threats, took the next boot 32 yards as the Vaqueros set up shop at their own 41.
However, Helix junior Jeremiah Fletcher wrapped around his blocker from a defensive end position to record a sack. Moments later, he recorded a tackle for loss on a fly sweep.
El Capitan senior Brandon Williams had a sack late in the first quarter, as the teams traded possessions.
Noa picked up his third rushing touchdown behind senior fullback Jashawn Adams for a 15-yarder, making it 20-7 with 7:25 left in the first half.
Midway through the second quarter, Noa broke off a 50-yard run down the right side to the El Cap 6.
They gave it right back to the star back, as he ran up the back of his blockers – seniors Chris Alvarado and Nathan Adams for the score, extending the lead to 20.
With just under five minutes to go before halftime, Helix senior Michael Shawcroft forced an off-balance throw that Xavier Hamlett picked off and returned 34 yards for a final first-half score.
El Capitan moved smartly in the Helix territory with a final first-half possession, but the Scots’ Anthony Lombardo ran down the quarterback for a sack to end the half.
Noa added his fifth score in the second half, giving him eight touchdowns during his injury-shortened season so far.
He’ll get a chance for a few more next week against visiting Valhalla (0-6, 0-1 GHL), while the Vaqueros will host Steele Canyon (4-2, 0-1 GHL) in next Friday’s GHL games.
