No. 4 Eagles smash No. 9 Oceanside

By Ramon Scott
Updated: August 23, 2025

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2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

No. 4 GRANITE HILLS 45, No. 9 OCEANSIDE 29

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON — In a top-10 showdown that felt like November in Week 1, No. 4 Granite Hills showcased one of the county’s most explosive passing attacks and handled No. 9 Oceanside, 45–29, reinforcing the Eagles’ status as bona fide Open Division contenders once again.

Senior quarterback Zachary Benitez was surgical: 38-of-45 for 456 yards and four touchdowns. Granite Hills led 31–7 at halftime and never trailed after striking on the very first snap — a 72-yard catch-and-run to Noah Walker off a short right-side throw — before Benitez finished the opening march with a TD pass to Elijah Arzu.

Benitez kept distributing to a deep receiver room that created mismatches all night. He fired scoring strikes to Emilio Vera, DJ Wilkins (10 yards), and Tristan Diaz (30 yards). Diaz was a constant chain-mover with 14 receptions for 113 yards; Zhedam Smith added seven catches, and Wilkins caught six. Walker (ankle) left the game after two receptions for 92 yards; he did not return but indicated he should be fine.

Granite Hills also flashed short-yardage punch with Eurijah Schutza, who scored twice on direct snaps (the second set up by a highlight 38-yard grab by Rocket Demry to the 1. Kicker Jacob Nunez tacked on a 29-yard field goal for the 31–7 cushion at the break. The defense produced timely plays, including a Kali Young interception returned to the Oceanside 49 and a stand on downs inside the 10 with the lead at 38–13.

Oceanside answered with chunk plays — including a 35-yard TD from Anthony Barquinero to SJ Poumele, a sweep TD, and a late 1-yard pass to Kymani Nua with a conversion — but the Pirates never got within one score after halftime.

Granite Hills leaves Week 1 with a résumé win over a ranked opponent, a quarterback in peak rhythm, and a receiver room that looks as dangerous as any in San Diego — the exact profile of a team aiming for the section’s top bracket once again.

What they said

Head coach Kellan Cobbs: “I thought our defense played really well early. Zac protected the ball, a bunch of wideouts made some great plays. He threw the ball very well and extended some plays with his feet. Davion Williams did a nice job in our run game as well.”
QB Zach Benitez: “We practiced all offseason, every day, building that connection with everybody — O-line and receivers. I have so much trust in Walker and Demry. I couldn’t do it without my O-line — I’m gonna take them out to dinner. It’s on me.”
WR DJ Wilkins (on the receiver group): “We put 45 on the board in our first game together.”
Braydon Wells: “We’re going to focus on each team we play each week. I think we’ll keep it rolling.”