Foothillers’ fire to reverse fortunes
- Updated: August 18, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
GROSSMONT FOOTHILLERS PREVIEW
Last season: 2-3 (Grossmont Hills League) / 4-8 (overall)
Head coach: TOM KARLO (8th season at Grossmont, 51-30; 15th year overall, 89-58)
2018: After an injury-riddled regular season which resulted in a rare sub-par record, Grossmont turned in one of the performances of the year in a San Diego CIF first-round upset win over host Madison in a 44-42 thriller. JAIME ODOM passed to BRODY SCHICKER, who made a diving catch in the end zone for the decisive touchdown. Both players return as seniors in 2019. The Hillers won league games over El Capitan and Valhalla.
OUTLOOK: Odom has passed for more than 4,100 yards and has 38 touchdown passes in his two-year varsity career coming into this season. Schicker caught seven touchdown passes last season and has a scholarship offer from the University of San Diego. Junior running back ROBERT TUCKER was the team’s leading running back last season and had 349 yards despite missing four games. Grossmont’s defense is led by senior All-East County first-teamer CHRIS ALBA, a third-year varsity player who had 68 tackles last year and also has garnered an offer from USD. Defensive returnees CAM SANDERLIN, a defensive lineman, and AUSTIN WITTMAYER, a defensive back, combined for 94 tackles last season. Senior center ANDRU SANDERS has fed the ball to Odom his entire prep career and leads a big, veteran offensive line.
SCHEDULE: Grossmont plays seven home games once again this season and plays two of its toughest league opponents – Helix and Steele Canyon at home. The Foothillers’ non-league schedule isn’t quite as daunting as last year’s so the expectation of a winning season is certainly there. Out-of-section opponent Valley View, of Moreno Valley, visits in Week 4, followed by a rematch against the Madison Warhawks before the GHL campaign. The only road games are league contests at Granite Hills, El Capitan and Valhalla.
