Roundup: El Camino halts Scotties’ rally

By Ramon Scott
Updated: August 24, 2025

ROUNDUP

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

EL CAMINO 28, No. 10 HELIX 21

OCEANSIDE — The No. 10 Helix Highlanders put up a strong fight in the season opener on the road against a strong El Camino Wildcats team, ultimately falling 28–21 on Friday night. The Highlanders showed resilience throughout the game, repeatedly cutting into the Wildcats’ lead and keeping the matchup close despite an early deficit.

The Wildcats drew first blood on their opening drive with a 2-yard touchdown run from Gavin Wasserman, making it 7–0. Wasserman added a second touchdown run from three yards out in the second quarter, giving El Camino a 14–0 advantage.

Helix answered late in the first half when Lee Norman-Lester engineered a scoring connection to Jordan Lindley, who capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. Marco Di Giammarino converted the PAT, narrowing the score to 14–7.

El Camino regained momentum just before halftime with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Wasserman to Georgie Faasua, pushing the Wildcats ahead 21–7 at the break.

The third quarter saw El Camino extend their lead further with another rushing touchdown from two yards out, putting the Wildcats up 28–7.

Helix, however, refused to roll over. The Highlanders mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter with two touchdown drives. Norman-Lester found LaMarquis Sutton for a 2-yard scoring pass, and later connected with Lindley on a 67-yard strike, with both PATs by Di Giammarino successful, bringing the score to 28–21.

Despite the late rally, Helix turned the ball over on downs at their own 4-yard line with under a minute remaining, allowing El Camino to secure the win.

While the final score reflected the Wildcats’ edge, Helix showed flashes of the power and skill that have made them one of the county’s historically strong programs. They were able to move the ball effectively in key moments, convert in the red zone, and score on big plays despite being down early.

Lindley and Sutton were pivotal in keeping the Highlanders’ hopes alive with their fourth-quarter scores, and Norman-Lester managed the offense efficiently throughout the contest.

For a team opening its season on the road against a strong program, Helix showed poise and competitiveness, keeping fans and coaches encouraged about the potential for the rest of the season.

“It was a tough game, we didn’t wake up until the second half,” Helix head coach Damaja Jones said. “We were down 21-7 at half time. Came back and made it 28-21 with the ball with 1:45 left in the game but we fell short. Jordan Lindley had a good game.

“Defensively, we really didn’t play that well. We gave up too many big plays. We were solid versus run but our pass coverage was poor.”

MAR VISTA 27, EL CAJON VALLEY 17

In El Cajon, El Cajon Valley kept pace early with Mar Vista, battling to a 14–14 tie in the first half before the Mariners pulled away after the break for a 27–17 win.

El Cajon Valley got 101 yards and a touchdown on the ground from Janvier Kashindi, a junior, while Gavino Kendall-Pinal rushed for 48 yards and score, and senior Leo Jones rushed for 65 yards as the Braves had 220 yards on the ground.

Senior receiver Devaun Alexis had a pair of receptions for 27 yards, for a team-high.

Sophomore Isaiah Hicks led the defense for ECV with eight total tackles, including two for loss, while Jones had six total tackles.

Mohammed Abdulzahra had a sack for the Braves.

Junior Rashaunn Barr had an interception for El Cajon Valley.

MIRA MESA 11, EL CAPITAN 0

El Capitan dropped a defensive slugfest at Mira Mesa, falling 11–0, in the season opener at the Marauders’ stadium.

The Vaqueros’ defense held strong most of the night, limiting Mira Mesa to a pair of field goals and a short touchdown drive, but the El Cap offense never found its rhythm.

The game was scoreless until late in the first half, when Mira Mesa converted a turnover into points, as Niko Cato had a touchdown reception for Mira Mesa.

Bryce Banegas had nine total tackles for the Vaqueros, while Brewin Ford had a team-high six solo stops and added a sack.

Senior Tod Carter had a sack for El Capitan.

Junior Dominic Megginson had an interception for the Vaqueros, while senior Spencer Chastang recovered a fumble for El Cap. Chastang was also a top producer on offense with four receptions for 58 yards.

HOLTVILLE 44, WEST HILLS 19

In Santee, West Hills opened its season against a tough Holtville squad and couldn’t keep pace in a 44–19 defeat.

The Wolf Pack moved the ball effectively at times but Holtville’s explosive rushing attack was too much to contain over four quarters.

Enrique Armas rushed 24 times for 230 yards and four touchdowns for Holtville.

West Hills’ Evin Dill completed 13 of 16 passes for 124 yards and a TD. He also rushed nine times for 34 yards and score.

Andrew Rosolino had a 53-yard touchdown run for the Wolf Pack. He also had two catches for 33 yards.

Jacob Romeo, a senior, had three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 24 yards.

ESCONDIDO CHARTER 42, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 6

On Thursday night, Escondido Charter rolled past Foothills Christian, 42–6, in the Knights’ first game back at the 11-man level after five seasons playing 8-man football.

The Knights’ touchdown came on a gadget play as junior Jonah Nottoli threw a 75 yard touchdown pass for senior Mason Wilborn.

Senior Jack Sudi had 76 yards rushing on 18 carries, while fellow senior Travis Janik had two receptions for 48 yards for FCHS.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 28, HAMILTON (Anza) 25

Mountain Empire provided one of the night’s brightest moments for the East County on Friday, edging Hamilton (Anza).