EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER – Week 2

By Ramon Scott
Updated: August 28, 2025

Zac Benitez, of Granite Hills. / Vic Marano

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER – WEEK TWO

Feature Game of the Week

No. 6 La Costa Canyon (1-0) at No. 7 Mount Miguel (1-0)
Mount Miguel remains underrated in the official power rankings used for playoff seeding — a mistake that could hurt if the Matadors finish with even one loss. Still, several polls already recognize them as a top-10 program… again. They backed that up with a huge win at San Marcos last week, surely a fellow Top 10 team. Mount Miguel didn’t seem to miss a beat offensively with quarterback Jeremiah Loper. LCC brings pedigree and athletes, but this one has all the makings of a thriller, and one that Mount Miguel really can’t afford to lose, given the ranking handicap handed to them in the preseason.
Fearless Pick: Mount Miguel 29, La Costa Canyon 28

Week Two Games

Hilltop at El Cajon Valley (Thursday)
The Braves lean on RB Janvier Kahindi, who ran for 102 yards and a score last week. Hilltop, though, probably has more experience and depth on both lines.
Pick: Hilltop 27, El Cajon Valley 17

No. 18 Mater Dei Catholic at No. 2 Granite Hills
QB Zac Benitez exploded for 451 yards and four TDs last week, with WR Noah Walker debuting with an 80-yard touchdown. Granite Hills also features targets Rocket Demery and Tristan Diaz (8 catches, 75 yards). K Jacob Nunez went 6-for-6 on PATs and added a field goal. The Eagles look too strong at home for this current Mater Dei team.
Pick: Granite Hills 42, Mater Dei Catholic 21

No. 15 Helix vs. Casteel (Ariz.)
QB Lee Norman-Lester (246 yards, 2 TDs) and RB/WR Jordan Lindley (96 yards, TD) sparked the Highlanders, but they’ll need to protect the football against a powerful Arizona visitor. This would usually be a nice invite for an invader only to be sent back home with an ‘L’ but the Scotties have much to prove against the Colts, a program that came to Spring Valley and took an overtime game from Monte Vista, 28-21, in 2017.
Pick: Casteel 31, Helix 24

Steele Canyon vs. No. 12 Madison
QB Gavin Caha tossed two TDs, while defenders Noah Ramirez and Luke Rode each tallied nine tackles. Jordyn Gillissie leads the county with 3.5 sacks. The Cougars’ defense could tilt this one at home. Nico Jara stole the show early once again last week, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and he added a touchdown reception, as well, as one of the top stars in the county last week.
Pick: Steele Canyon 24, Madison 23

No. 16 University City vs. West Hills
QB Evin Dill (13-for-16) was efficient, but UC’s offensive weapons are still elite, and the Centurions have momentum after cracking the Top 20. This is just poor timing for the Wolf Pack to meet up against UC.
Pick: University City 49, West Hills 10

No. 17 Bishop’s at Christian
QB Kaleb Runkle (346 yards, 3 TDs) and WR Kai Rosier (10 catches, 222 yards, 2 TDs) nearly carried Christian to a win. This week, they’ll face another ranked squad in Bishop’s, a familiar rival. Anything can happen here even though the Patriots will be considered the underdog on the road.
Pick: Bishop’s 28, Christian 24

Grossmont vs. Westview
QB Tyler Holmes was unstoppable last with with four passing TDs, 143 rushing yards, and another score. WR Randy Ballard caught 12 passes for 91 yards and 3 TDs, while DE Ryder Robinson added 3 sacks. If that trio stays hot, Foothillers prevail again. Head coach Anthony Lawrence down played his team’s chances this season, but it looks like he may have underestimated his charges.
Pick: Grossmont 35, Westview 27

Mira Mesa vs. Valhalla
QB Jackson Newman rushed for 118 yards and two TDs last week for the Norsemen in a nice road win on the road at San Jacinto Valley Academy, but Mira Mesa’s speed and experience could overwhelm them here despite the strong performance from Valhalla last week.
Pick: Mira Mesa 38, Valhalla 13

Monte Vista vs. Kearny
Sophomore star Deasean Jenkins had two pick-sixes last week for the Monarchs, while RB Deon Hunter added 92 rushing yards and a TD. Monarchs are rolling once again under new, old coach Page Culver. The Monarchs are sure contenders come league play but the Komets still pose a threat.
Pick: Monte Vista 42, Kearny 21

El Capitan vs. Montgomery
LB Bryce Banegas (9 tackles) anchors a physical Vaqueros defense but the Vaqeuros were shutout last week, 11-0, by Mira Mesa. They’ll need every bit of offense it can muster against a scrappy Montgomery squad, but they should find it easier to reach pay dirt stepping down in class here.
Pick: El Capitan 24, Montgomery 17

Santana at Crawford
QB Ethan Miller (203 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Denton Goar (88 yards) lead the aerial attack. DL Jordyn Gillissie set the tone defensively with 3.5 sacks for Santana. Sultans should handle Crawford, which may not be a strong as the last few Colts’ teams we’ve seen, but the program is too strong at their level to expect much of a decline.
Pick: Santana 28, Crawford 21

Calipatria at Mountain Empire
The RedHawks did a great job in Week one getting off to a hot start and winning 28-25 on the road against Hamilton, of Anza, while Calipatria looks stronger up front, the RedHawks might be an unknown commodity for the moment.
Pick: Calipatria 41, Mountain Empire 14

Hamilton (Anza) at Foothills Christian
WR Mason Wilborn, who had a 75-yard touchdown recetpion last week gives the Knights some firepower, but Hamilton’s balance may be the difference, as Foothills plays just its second 11-man game in five years after losing 42-6 to Escondido Charter. Another obvious error in the current rankings has the Knights, who were a perennial championship contender in 8-man, ranked 45th in the section, which is an obvious miscalculation.
Pick: Hamilton 28, Foothills Christian 24