East County Sports

Eagles dismiss Matador title effort

Granite Hills' Noah Walker against Mount Miguel on Friday. / Vic Marano

 

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2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

No. 8 GRANITE HILLS 29, No. 10 MOUNT MIGUEL 16

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON – The matchup between the Granite Hills Eagles and Mount Miguel Matadors on Friday night had all the buildup expected for a battle between East County’s top two teams — and it delivered on intensity and emotion.

Granite Hills broke a three-game losing streak – its longest in four years – and remained the team to beat in the Grossmont Hills League race with a 29-16 victory, a statement win that keeps the three-time defending league champions atop the contenders as they prepare for another showdown with Helix this week.

Mount Miguel came into the game looking to solidify its own claim as the area’s best after an impressive start, and the Matadors took control early.

Quarterback Jeremiah Loper opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Granite Hills responded when Zachary Benitez connected with Rocket Demery on a 44-yard touchdown strike to even the score.

The Matadors regained the lead just before halftime when Loper found Gianni Porfilio for a 5-yard touchdown pass, giving Mount Miguel a 13-7 advantage at the break.

Granite Hills’ defense and depth began to turn the game in the fourth quarter.

Through three quarters, the Matadors led, 16-14.

The Eagles went back on top when Gage Spalding powered in for a 9-yard touchdown run. Mount Miguel answered with a 28-yard field goal by Clint Ettleman midway through the third quarter to take a 16-14 lead.

From there, Granite Hills controlled the fourth quarter. Davion Williams scored on a 4-yard run early in the period, and Benitez found Isaiah Rodriguez for the two-point conversion to make it 22-16.

The Eagles then forced two turnovers in the closing minutes to secure the win — including an interception by Jesse Wilhite and a fumble recovery by Kali Young.

Capitalizing on the defensive stops, Benitez hit Noah Walker for a 12-yard touchdown pass with just over four minutes left to extend the lead and seal the victory.

The game ended in heated fashion, with post game tensions rising and the handshake line called off, underscoring just how much was at stake between two of East County’s best programs.

With the win, Granite Hills (4-3, 1-0 GHL) remained established atop the standings in the league race after a rough stretch, while Mount Miguel (5-3, 1-1 GHL) will look to regroup before hosting unbeaten Steele Canyon next week.

Both of the league games have huge championship implications this week.

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