Hillers, Pack in instant title game

East County Fearless Forecaster – Week 9

EastCountySports.com

The stakes couldn’t be higher as the East County football season races toward the finish line, with two league championship races on the line for a couple of teams this week and others scrambling for one last title shot.

It’s being dubbed the “Instant Championship Game” in the Grossmont Valley League, where Grossmont and West Hills meet Friday night with matching 2–0 league records.

Despite their contrasting paths — Grossmont’s 6–1 overall mark against West Hills’ 2–5 record — the Wolf Pack have found their footing at the right time, while the Foothillers are surging behind one of the area’s top offensive attacks.

In the Grossmont Hills League, undefeated Steele Canyon will finally face its biggest test yet, heading to Mount Miguel for what could be the defining moment of both teams’ seasons. The Cougars’ 7–0 record looks pristine, but the Matadors are proven against elite competition and will try to spoil Steele’s perfect run.

Meanwhile, Granite Hills looks to stay in control of the league after last week’s statement win over Mount Miguel when they host Helix, while Santana and Monte Vista face off in Santee in what amounts to an elimination game for any remaining Valley League title hopes.

Out east, the Mountain Empire RedHawks play perhaps their biggest home game in a decade – or at least since they beat Holtville back in 2019 – taking on visiting Maranatha Christian in a Sunset League first-place showdown in Pine Valley.

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Grossmont (6–1, 2–0 GVL) at West Hills (2–5, 2–0 GVL)

It’s championship time in Santee — at least unofficially. Both teams enter undefeated in league play, and the winner here is all but certain to capture the Grossmont Valley League title.

Grossmont is coming off a 46–6 dismantling of Santana in which quarterback Tyler Holmes threw for multiple touchdowns and extended his eye-popping 13-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The Foothillers’ balanced attack has been one of the area’s most consistent, with A.J. Hooker pounding out 543 rushing yards (tops in the conference) and Corbin Dow providing a complementary 509.

Defensively, Ryder Robinson continues to terrorize opposing quarterbacks with 10 sacks and 21 hurries, ranking third in the entire county. When the Hillers get ahead early, their front seven can take over games.

West Hills has done well to rebound from a rocky 0–5 start with consecutive wins, including last week’s 17–7 triumph over Valhalla behind the steady leadership of Jacob Romeo and kicker Christian Slojkowski, who booted a 40-yarder.

The Pack’s defense produced three interceptions last week — a reminder that turnovers can keep them close even when outgunned.

Still, Grossmont’s offensive rhythm and defensive pressure are too much for the rebuilding Pack to handle. Expect West Hills to hang around early, but the Foothillers’ playmakers will eventually stretch the margin.

Fearless Forecaster: Grossmont 31, West Hills 13

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Steele Canyon (7–0, 1–0 GHL) at Mount Miguel (5–3, 0–1 GHL)

This could be the most intriguing matchup in the county this week.

Steele Canyon’s unbeaten record meets Mount Miguel’s explosive offense, and both have something to prove.

The Cougars were dominant once again last time out, handling El Capitan 35–14.

Quarterback Gavin Caha had his best outing of the season with 238 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Abel Lopez continues to provide steady support on the ground.

Steele Canyon’s defense, led by Sebastian Castellon and Donte Brown (five sacks each), has been relentless, and Tyree Zarkaryan has been a consistent presence in the backfield.

However, the challenge ramps up considerably this week.

The Matadors feature one of the section’s top passing duos in quarterback Jeremiah Loper (over 1,700 yards, sixth in the county) and receiver A.J. Logan (573 yards, 10 touchdowns in the last four games).

Mount Miguel’s attack is fast, balanced, and confident despite last week’s 29–16 setback at Granite Hills.

Expect Mount Miguel to test Steele Canyon’s secondary early and often.

The Cougars’ pass rush must disrupt Loper to have a chance at slowing the tempo. But Steele Canyon’s defense has been up to every challenge so far — allowing fewer than 16 points per game this season.

Fearless Forecaster: Mount Miguel 32, Steele Canyon 20

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Helix (2–6, 1–1 GHL) at Granite Hills (4–3, 1–0 GHL)

Granite Hills reasserted itself last week with a hard-fought 29–16 victory over Mount Miguel, led by quarterback Zac Benitez, the county’s leading passer with an average of 321 yards per game. His connection with Noah Walker (644 yards, 8 TDs) and D.J. Wilkins (427 yards) gives the Eagles the most dangerous aerial attack in the Grossmont Hills League.

Helix finally broke a four-game skid last week by taking down El Capitan, 41–21, behind a breakout performance from Lee Norman-Lester, who ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns while posting a career-best 95.8 passer rating.

The Highlanders’ offense may have found its spark, but they’ll be up against one of the most complete defenses in the county.

Granite Hills’ defensive front — Wyatt MacLeod, Hunter Hamilton, and Parker Johnson — combined for three sacks last week.

This rivalry has leaned heavily in Granite Hills’ favor in recent years, and with Benitez playing at a Player of the Year level, the Eagles have their sights firmly set on another Hills League crown, going for a fourth-straight GHL title.

Helix’s energy from last week’s win will help, but it won’t be enough in El Cajon.

Fearless Forecaster: Granite Hills 45, Helix 17

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Monte Vista (4–3, 1–1 GVL) at Santana (4–3, 1–1 GVL)

Both teams are hanging around in the Grossmont Valley League race — and only the winner keeps an outside shot at sharing the title.

Santana took a tough blow last week, losing 46–6 to Grossmont and also losing quarterback Ethan Miller, who left the game after a hard sack that resulted in a touchdown. His status is uncertain, and that has drastically impacted the Sultans’ improving and steady passing game.

Koko Thornton (348 total return yards) and Denton Goar (280 total return yards) are dangerous in the open field, but the Sultans’ offense needs stability at QB to capitalize.

Monte Vista rebounded from a loss with a 27–0 shutout of El Cajon Valley, powered by a strong defensive effort. The Monarchs have quietly been solid against the run and will look to pressure Santana’s backup quarterback early and often.

This matchup has historically been close — Santana edged Monte Vista 38–35 last season — and it could come down to a key turnover or special teams play again.

Expects another grinder, but Monte Vista’s physicality gives them the narrow edge if Miller can’t go.

Fearless Forecaster: Monte Vista 20, Santana 14

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Maranatha Christian (6–1, 4–1 Sunset) at Mountain Empire (6–1, 3–0 Sunset)

It’s hard to believe, but the Mountain Empire RedHawks — a team that won just once last year — could find themselves atop the Sunset League standings with a win Friday in Pine Valley.

Coach Cameron Keller’s club has turned the season around thanks to a tough defense and the breakout of running back Elisha Lashone Robinson, who ranks 11th in the county with 860 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Michael Noble has anchored the secondary on defense with three interceptions, tied for the East County lead.

But this week’s opponent might be their biggest challenge yet.

Maranatha Christian has rolled through much of its schedule, winning four games by at least 22 points, including last week’s 56–14 demolition of Victory Christian.

The Eagles’ offense has been dominant on the ground, rushing for 285 yards last week, led by River Contreras (74 yards, 2 TDs) and quarterback Ryan Niguidula, who contributed two more scores.

The RedHawks’ defense must find a way to slow down that run game and create turnovers — something they’ve done well during their three-game winning streak.

Still, Maranatha’s depth and experience in big games might be too much for Mountain Empire’s rising program. The RedHawks will compete, but the Eagles should pull away late.

Fearless Forecaster: Maranatha Christian 35, Mountain Empire 27

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Elsewhere Around East County

St. Augustine (2–5, 0–2 Eastern) vs. Christian (2–5, 1–1 Eastern) – The Patriots’ stunning 16–15 upset of Scripps Ranch — keyed by  Steven Benson’s three field goals including a 51-yard game-deciding boot— gave them new life.

Kai Rosier ranks third in the county in receiving (742 yards). Hank Houston is one of the East County’s top tacklers.

The Saints were blanked 31–0 by San Diego last week but have too much firepower to stay down but they might hold off a Patriots team that is never out of the game, and that is proven week-in-and-week-out.
Pick: St. Augustine 24, Christian 23

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Valhalla (1–6, 0–2 GVL) vs. El Cajon Valley (2–5, 0–2 GVL) – Both seek their first league win. The Braves’ Janvier Kashindi (509 rushing yards) will keep it close, but Brody Shartel and Valhalla’s defense have the upper hand at home.

The Braves have a top defender in Rashaunn Barr, who picked off his East County-leading third interception last week against Monte Vista.
Pick: Valhalla 21, El Cajon Valley 14

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O’Farrell Charter (3–4, 3–2 Sunset) vs. Foothills Christian (0–7, 0–4) – The Knights are simply out-manned this year, while Dakobi Coleman and Frank Johnson lead a confident O’Farrell squad coming off a 35–0 win.

Jack Sudi leads the Knights with over 500 yards rushing. 
Pick: O’Farrell 35, Foothills Christian 14

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