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- ROUND UP: Wolf Pack Take Down Eastlake
- Woodland’s Gem Propels Helix
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- Rain Doesn’t Stop Wolf Pack
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- DIII: Southwest Eagles soar to championship
- 2018 EAST COUNTY SOFTBALL Schedule / Scores / Standings
- DV: LIONS ROAR TO CHAMPIONSHIP
- Williams, Vaqueros sweep into D3 final
- D2: After walk-off thrill, Sultans slump
- DII: SULTANS HAVE MADDY, MADDY, MAD POWER IN PLAYOFF WIN
- DIII: Vaqueros end Scotties’ upset run
Cougars smash Madison for 2-0 start
- Updated: August 31, 2025
2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
Steele Canyon 35, Madison 7
EastCountySports.com
SAN DIEGO – Steele Canyon took advantage of a dominant defensive effort and timely scoring to defeat Madison, 35-7, on Friday night, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Warhawks.
The Cougars, who had been just 1-6 against Madison entering the matchup, improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2019 — the same season they last beat the Warhawks in a 19-14 contest before going on to finish 9-2.
Madison scored first when wide receiver Romeo Pepi took a jet sweep end-around 34 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game. The extra point gave the Warhawks a 7-0 lead.
But that would be it for Madison, as the Cougars dominated a game that had been known for hard-hitting defense over the last few meetings, but always ended in the Warhawks’ favor.
Steele Canyon answered that first score quickly, but it was on defense where it happened.
After Madison defensive back Jacob Gonzalez intercepted a pass at the Cougars’ 1-yard line, senior Nico Jara recorded a tackle for a safety on the very next play, putting Steele Canyon on the board at 7-2 with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.
Kicker Ace Woolf continued to throw his hat into the ring for the East County’s top boot by connecting on a field goal late in the opening quarter to make it 7-5.
The Cougars then took their first lead when quarterback Gavin Caha found wide receiver Malcholm Ballard on a 6-yard slant for a touchdown. The 2-point try was no good, leaving the score 11-7.
Woolf added another field goal just before halftime to extend the margin to 14-7, and moments later, defensive back Noah Ramirez delivered the play of the night.
Ramirez sacked the quarterback, scooped up the loose ball, and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. The extra point pushed the Cougars ahead 21-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Steele Canyon put the game further out of reach.
Caha capped a drive with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown, giving the Cougars a 28-7 lead with five minutes left in the period.
The Cougars tacked on one more score in the second half to close out a 35-7 win.
Jara led the defense with five solo tackles, a blocked punt, and a 48-yard punt return to go with his safety.
No word on whether Jara prepared the post-game meal, while also doing the team’s laundry, cleaning up the snack bar, counting the ticket sales, and locking the field’s gates on the way out.
Ramirez’s fumble return for a touchdown and Brown’s four solo tackles highlighted a defense that blanked the Warhawks over the final three quarters.
On offense, Caha completed 10 of 18 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. Lopez led the ground attack with 19 carries for 89 yards, while Ballard had the 6-yard TD reception along with a 73-yard catch that set up scoring position.
Madison dropped to 0-2 with the loss. Steele Canyon (2-0) travels to face the Morse Tigers next week, entering as the likely favorite.
