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- 2018 EAST COUNTY SOFTBALL Schedule / Scores / Standings
- DV: LIONS ROAR TO CHAMPIONSHIP
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- D2: After walk-off thrill, Sultans slump
- DII: SULTANS HAVE MADDY, MADDY, MAD POWER IN PLAYOFF WIN
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Mission Hills takes advantage of Eagles
- Updated: September 16, 2025
2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
No. 3 MISSION HILLS 31, No. 2 GRANITE HILLS
EastCountySports.com
SAN MARCOS – Granite Hills knew its Week 4 matchup with Mission Hills would feel like a playoff game, but the Eagles found themselves undone by costly turnovers as the host Grizzlies turned two interception returns into touchdowns en route to a 31-21 victory Friday night.
The loss snapped a two-year run of Granite Hills wins over Mission Hills, each by 10 points, and dropped the Eagles to 3-1 on the season. For the Grizzlies (4-0), the win marked a statement against the reigning Division I champions, setting the tone in the county’s crowded Open Division playoff race.
Mission Hills defender Xavier St. John opened the scoring in emphatic fashion, jumping a sideline route for a 24-yard interception return just minutes into the game. It was already St. John’s second defensive touchdown of the season and immediately put Granite Hills in chase mode.
The Grizzlies doubled their advantage in the second quarter with an 11-play, 70-yard march, capped by Patrick Fleming’s 4-yard touchdown run. Fleming carried 18 times for 128 yards, spearheading a ground attack that complemented the steady passing of Penn State commit Troy Huhn.
Granite Hills struggled to find rhythm in the first half, managing just 59 passing yards before the break, 21 of which came on the final play of the half. The Eagles trailed 14-0 at intermission.
The second half saw a different energy from Granite Hills.
Quarterback Zac Benitez, who finished 27-of-43 for 257 yards, got the Eagles on the board in the third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown strike to Rocket Demery.
But Huhn answered immediately, connecting with Grant Kuykendall for a 42-yard touchdown to restore a two-score cushion.
Granite Hills again rallied late in the third, with Benitez finding Noah Walker from 14 yards out to cut the deficit to 21-14.
However, the Grizzlies’ special teams and defense had the final say. A 27-yard field goal by Jack Baker extended the lead to 24-14, and moments later John Garcia put the game out of reach with an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Benitez responded with one last score, an 8-yard toss to Wilkins in the closing minutes, but the Grizzlies walked away with the 31-21 win, handing Granite Hills its first loss of the season.
The Eagles finished with 164 rushing yards to balance their 257 through the air, showing flashes of the offensive balance that powered last year’s championship run. Still, the two pick-sixes proved too much to overcome.
Granite Hills now faces its toughest test yet when it travels north to meet Los Alamitos (5-0) on Friday. The Griffins enter ranked No. 11 in the state, while the Eagles sit at No. 38.
