EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER – Playoffs

By Ramon Scott
Updated: November 5, 2025

Grossmont RB Corbin Dow. / Vic Marano

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER

EastCountySports.com

It’s playoff time once again in the CIF San Diego Section, and as always, East County football fans have plenty to look forward to as local teams prepare to battle their way through the brackets.

The East County is always overlooked, but the brand of football from the area has proven to be playoff tested, considering the division championship runs of several teams over the last few seasons

From Division 2 contenders Helix and Grossmont, to Christian’s hopes in Division 3, and a few Cinderella squads like West Hills, Valhalla, Santana, and Mountain Empire looking to extend their seasons, the postseason always brings drama — and maybe a few surprises.

Meanwhile, the area’s top teams – Granite Hills and Mount Miguel – received first-round byes in Division 1 and will begin play next week. The Grossmont League rivals could eventually clash again in the divsion semifinal game at Granite Hills.

Steele Canyon got the No. 2-seed in Division 2 and awaits a potential rematch with Helix in the quarterfinals.

El Capitan received a bye in Division 4 and will host a quarterfinal next week, as well. The Vaqueros won the Division 3 championship last season and eventually lost in a state division title game.

The Monte Vista Monarchs, who accepted an invitation to the Division 5 playoffs last season after a qualifying team dropped out, parlayed their berth into a section division title, and also lost in a state division final game.

This time around, the Monarchs earned a No. 3-seed in the division and received a bye, where they will either face Grossmont Valley League foe Valhalla, or host a rematch of last year’s wild playoff win against the Fallbrook Warriors.

All first-round games kick off Friday at 7 p.m. unless noted.

Division 2: (10) San Pasqual (7-3) at (7) Helix (4-6)

It’s not often that Helix enters the postseason as an underdog, but this season’s roller-coaster campaign sees the Highlanders hosting a dangerous San Pasqual squad in a matchup that could easily go either way.

The Highlanders grabbed the No. 7 seed despite just three wins on the field (plus an opening forfeit win over El Camino), and they’ll rely on quarterback Lee Norman-Lester, who averages 146 total yards per game, to try guide the offense.

But Helix’s biggest challenge will come from San Pasqual quarterback Robert Renteria, who has put up one of the top stat lines in the section — averaging 270 total yards per game, including 238 through the air with 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

The Golden Eagles’ offense will test a Helix defense led by standout Jeremy Davis (7.6 tackles per game).

San Pasqual’s 7-3 record includes losses only to playoff-bound powers San Marcos and Torrey Pines, showing the kind of consistency that could prove too much for a Highlanders squad still looking for rhythm.

Fearless Forecaster: San Pasqual 27, Helix 24.

Division 2: (9) Grossmont (9-1) vs. (8) St. Augustine (4-6)

at Mater Dei Catholic High School

Grossmont might be the hottest East County team entering the postseason.

The Foothillers captured their first-ever Grossmont Valley League championship, going a perfect 5-0, and enter the postseason with a 9-1 record — their only loss coming to La Jolla, 40-28.

Ironically, that could be the key matchup note here: Saints beat La Jolla 41-35, showing just how unpredictable this pairing is.

The neutral-site setting at Mater Dei Catholic could work in Grossmont’s favor, as the Foothillers’ power run game and stout defense have thrived this season after being known as a high-flying passing offense in the previous two seasons under hot head coach Anthony Lawrence.

Running back Corbin Dow leads the way on the ground, while quarterback Tyler Holmes provides steady leadership and a balanced attack. On defense, Ryder Robinson has been the East County sack leader most of the season.

St. Augustine will counter with a dynamic two-way threat in Paisios Polamalu, who averages 115 rushing yards per game and also leads the team in tackles (8.7 per game).

But Grossmont’s balance and momentum might be the difference in this coin-flip clash.

Fearless Forecaster: Grossmont 31, St. Augustine 28.

Division 3: (11) Brawley (2-8) vs. (6) Christian (3-7)

at Valley Stadium (Granite Hills High School)

Don’t let the records fool you — this matchup between Christian and Brawley should be one of the more competitive first-round games in Division 3.

Both teams have battled through tough schedules, each suffering losses to St. Augustine by nearly identical scores (Christian fell 20-7, Brawley 28-7).

The Patriots have offensive talent led by quarterback Kaleb Runkle, who averages 173 passing yards per game, and standout receiver Kai Rosier, who averages 84 yards receiving per contest. Defensively, Chase Togerson has been a consistent performer with 9.4 tackles per game.

Brawley may have the more physical line play, but Christian’s aerial attack and home-field advantage at Valley Stadium could be the difference.

Brawley rushed for 1,500 yards this season, but had just 345 yards through the air with four different signal callers throughout the campaign. The Wildcats had no touchdown passes all season.

Both teams have been in close games all year, but Christian looks just a bit more complete at the right time.

Fearless Forecaster: Christian 24, Brawley 19.

Division 4: (12) West Hills (4-6) at (5) Eastlake (4-6)

This one has all the makings of an old-fashioned defensive battle.

Both the Wolf Pack and Titans come in with identical records and similar statistical profiles — West Hills averages 15.5 points per game, Eastlake 14.4 — which suggests points will be at a premium.

West Hills rebounded impressively from an 0-5 non-league start to contend for the Grossmont Valley League title, coming up just one game short.

The Wolf Pack rely on a disciplined defense led by linebacker Rey Garcia, while kicker Christian Slojkowski has provided some late-season heroics, including the game-winning boot in the Santee City Cup.

Quarterback Evin Dill passed for 700 yards during the regular season. Running back Jacob Romeo rushed for seven touchdowns.

Eastlake, meanwhile, has quality wins on its résumé, including victories over Sweetwater and Otay Ranch.

Tyler Balko has over 925 yards of total offense, throwing five touchdowns on the season. Running back David Branco rushed for 500 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Eastlake defense has been stingy all season and the Titans’ home-field advantage might tilt this grinder in their favor.

Fearless Forecaster: Eastlake 17, West Hills 13.

Division 5: (11) Valhalla (3-7) at (6) Fallbrook (3-7)

Valhalla rides into the playoffs on a wave of momentum after upsetting Santana on the road to close the regular season — a win that vaulted the Norsemen into the postseason field.

It’s déjà vu of sorts: last year, Monte Vista got a late playoff berth out of the Grossmont Valley League after a qualifying team dropped out and the Monarchs stunned Fallbrook 34-33 in this very round in the North County.

The Norsemen defense, led by Brody Shartel (8.3 tackles per game), has been improving each week.

Fallbrook, though, also has experience in tight contests, including a 34-28 win over Santana earlier this season, and the Sultans are a higher-seeded qualifier in this division.

Both teams share similar records and styles, but Valhalla’s confidence after last week’s clutch performance might give them the momentum to pull off a similar upset this season.

Still, Fallbrook’s physicality and home crowd could be decisive as they probably have grown from last year’s shocking first-round loss.

Fearless Forecaster: Fallbrook 32, Valhalla 27.

Division 5: (10) Bonita Vista (3-7) at (7) Santana (5-5)

After a tough final stretch that saw Santana lose three of its last four, the Sultans still secured a playoff berth and remain a potential sleeper now in Division 5.

Quarterback Ethan Miller leads the way with 119 passing yards per game, while Denton Goar provides impact on offense, defense, and special teams.

Running back Julian Mayers averages over 50 yards per game on the ground, and linebacker Jordyn Gillissie (7.2 tackles per game) sets the tone on defense.

Bonita Vista, averaging just 13.1 points per game, will need to find a way to generate offense against a disciplined Santana front.

The Barons’ 7-6 win over Crawford earlier in the season showed they can grind out defensive battles, but their struggles to move the ball consistently could be costly.

The Barons rushed for 1,100 yards this season, but no true workhorse back. They just keep running their backs in and out of the game. Bonita Vista averages just 54 yards through the air.

Santana’s playoff pedigree — including first-round wins in each of the last two seasons — and the edge in offensive playmakers should carry the day.

Fearless Forecaster: Santana 21, Bonita Vista 14.

Division 5-AA: (6) Victory Christian Academy (5-5) at (3) Mountain Empire (8-2)

Few teams have enjoyed a better season than Mountain Empire, which finished 8-2 and is eyeing a potential rematch with top-seeded Maranatha Christian after falling to them 41-0 in the regular season.

But before that, the RedHawks must handle a familiar foe in Victory Christian Academy — the same team they edged 36-35 in a thriller earlier this year.

Basically, with the one-point result, Mountain Empire finished second in the Sunset League, while VCA finished third.

That game was an offensive showcase for Elisha Lashone Robinson, who ran for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Chance Ross contributed 178 total yards and two rushing scores, including a two-point conversion run after Robinson’s decisive late touchdown.

Mountain Empire’s defense also made plays in that game, intercepting two passes to seal the narrow win.

The Knights’ Gabriel Aguirre averages 114 yards per game this season on the ground, scoring 18 touchdowns. Ben Cordova, of VCA, had seven sacks, and Nathan Garcia had six sacks.

Expect another high-scoring battle, but with home-field advantage, the RedHawks are poised to advance and may take it by a slightly wider margin.

Fearless Forecaster: Mountain Empire 35, Victory Christian Academy 31.