Foothillers run numbers on Olympian

By David Dickens
Updated: September 14, 2019

The Grossmont sideline on Friday night against Olympian. / photo by Dave Dickens

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

GROSSMONT 52, OLYMPIAN 28

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

LA MESA (09-13-2019) – In a year of major milestones, Grossmont senior quarterback JAIME ODOM has been at the forefront.

Amassing over 5,000 yards for his career after the beginning of the fourth quarter on Friday night, and No. 9 Grossmont had just set a CIF record for total offense at over 800 total yards against Mater Dei just three weeks ago.

That record, of course, would be eradicated by Bishop’s versus Torrey Pines.

Olympian came into the evening’s contest with an offense that was suspect and a defense that was decent at best.

The Eagles, at 1-3, hung in there, as forecasted, in the first half of play.

Olympian led 14-10 after a hideous first half of play on behalf of the home squad.

The first half of play consisted of two interceptions thrown by Odom, dropped passes, and unnecessary penalties.

However, the defense did hold the visitors to 14 points at the half, down by 4.

Leading this group of defensive battle cats was linebacker and leading tackler CHRIS ALBA, who 21 tackles, three
for a loss, and one break up.

Grossmont head coach Tom Karlo and his offensive group of gurus put their minds together at the half, to come up with a deadly dose of running back ROBERT TUCKER, and Odom, BRODY SCHICKER, DEVAN JACKSON, CHRIS CHRZAN, MAX CADWALADER, along with a well-disciplined offensive line.

It all started, however, with a first three-and-out turnover on downs on behalf of the Hiller defense.

Grossmont outscored Olympian 21-7 in the second half.

After a horribly disappointing season last season, the Hillers have taken on a new mindset.

“I Believe it is a shift in the mentality of the team,” Odom said. “Everyone on our team wants to improve every day. Most of us returned this year from last year’s disappointing season, which we would not let happen again. We come to our field hungry to get better every day which shows on the field.”

The rush was on in the second half of play as Tucker, a senior, turned into a rushing machine with his cuts and finding his seams while mowing down defenders.

Tucker finished the evening with an astounding report card. 20 carries for 275 yards on the ground, with touchdowns of 35, 54, and 97 yards, along with six catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns, for a total of five touchdowns on the evening and 391 all-purpose yards.

There were various characters that played their part in the passing attack.

Odom ripped up the secondary and finished 15-of-30 for 277 yards, three passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and 93 rushing yards, along with a rushing touchdown for a total of 370 yards on his part.

Schicker led the way in receiving with three catches for 60 yards.

The Foothiller offense finished the night in style with a total of 658 total yards.

Odom became the third passer in eight years to have accumulated over 5,000 yards passing in Grossmont varsity football history in a year of record-breaking accomplishments for the undefeated 2019 Hillers.

Stay tuned, for this team is on a mission, a mission to become one of the best Foothiller football teams in
many years.

“Tucker is a beast in the backfield and he doesn’t go down easily,” Odom said. “But that offensive line blocked well for him and me which translated into the game he had tonight. Tucker works hard all the time and it showed this evening.”

Grossmont will now prepare to face Valley View this week on Hiller soil once again. Grossmont is forecasted to win this one by three or more scores.

EastCountySports.com