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- ROUND UP: Wolf Pack Take Down Eastlake
- Woodland’s Gem Propels Helix
- Patriots out-slug Vaqs to claim opener
- Rain Doesn’t Stop Wolf Pack
- Gallery: Boys Hoops – Week 10
- Vaqs continue qinning ways In tight contest
- VALLEY: Sultans finish undefeated season
- It takes the Pack to sweep Scotties
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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
East County Fearless Forecaster – Week 5
- Updated: September 17, 2025
Mountain Empire gangs up on San Ysidro last Friday. / Vic Marano
2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER – WEEK FIVE
By EastCountySports.com Staff
The East County football season is moving quickly into its midpoint, and while some teams have already established themselves as league and playoff division contenders, others are still trying to prove they belong in the rankings.
After a Week 4 that featured heavyweight clashes and breakout performances, this week brings a couple of cross-conference showdowns and rivalry games that will help shape the rest of the season as league play is on the horizon.
No. 6 Granite Hills (3-1) at Los Alamitos (5-0)
Granite Hills has faced as tough a schedule as anyone in the section. Coming off a 31-21 loss to No. 2 Mission Hills, the Eagles now travel to Orange County to take on unbeaten Los Alamitos.
Quarterback Zac Benitez continues to lead the way for Granite, ranking second in the county with 1,159 passing yards, while running back Davion Williams has racked up 335 yards on the ground. Receiver Noah Walker has chipped in 317 yards, giving the Eagles balance. Kicker Jacob Nunez has been a reliable weapon, tied for the East County lead with four field goals.
The Griffins, meanwhile, are off to their best start since the COVID-shortened 2020 spring season. They’ve already taken down Inglewood, Kapolei (Hawaii), and Serra. Los Al is built on physical line play and a punishing front seven that will test Granite’s ability to protect Benitez.
Prediction: Los Alamitos 38, Granite Hills 24
No. 9 Mount Miguel (3-1) at No. 13 Poway (2-2)
The Matadors are turning heads with quarterback Jeremiah Loper and receiver AJ Logan, who connected for two touchdowns in last week’s win over Torrey Pines. Mount Miguel’s passing game has been explosive, with Logan recording 105 receiving yards last week alone.
Poway has dropped two straight, but both losses came against Open Division-caliber teams in San Marcos and Carlsbad. Before that, the Titans dominated Ramona and Scripps Ranch on the road. Poway’s strength remains its rushing attack behind Luke Jorgensen, who ran for 270 yards against Carlsbad.
This one should be close, with Mount Miguel trying to make a statement against a closely-rated opponent.
Prediction: Poway 29, Mount Miguel 28
No. 4 Cathedral Catholic (3-0) at No. 24 Helix (1-3)
Helix is experiencing its toughest start in two decades, sitting at 1-3 and ranked just 24th in the section. Last week’s 41-14 loss to Oceanside underscored the Highlanders’ struggles. Still, Helix has bright spots, including playmaker Jeremy Robinson, who caught a touchdown pass against the Pirates from quarterback Caden Thompson.
Cathedral, on the other hand, is back to looking like the perennial Open Division contender. The Dons already own impressive wins over St. Francis and Chandler (AZ) and remain unbeaten. With a strong defense and big-game pedigree, Cathedral looks like the team most capable of challenging Lincoln down the line.
Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 45, Helix 14
Monte Vista (3-1) at El Capitan (2-2)
The more intriguing of the Grossmont Conference crossovers of the week.
Monte Vista is coming off a thrilling 22-14 win at Coastal Academy, keyed by running back Derrick Taylor, who scored twice in the fourth quarter. On defense, Daesean Jenkins has been a ball hawk, leading East County with three interceptions.
El Capitan, meanwhile, has bounced back from an 0-2 start with consecutive wins over Chula Vista and Bonita Vista. The Vaqueros’ defense has been strong, allowing just 46 points across four games. Senior leaders Spencer Chastan, Brewin Ford, Lincoln Walker, and Bryan Banegas are anchoring the front. Ford and Tod Carter have combined for 5.5 sacks.
This one should be physical, and turnovers could be the difference.
Prediction: El Capitan 20, Monte Vista 17
No. 21 Steele Canyon (4-0) at Valhalla (1-3)
The Battle for the Jamacha Helmet resumes with two teams headed in different directions.
Steele Canyon has matched its best start since 2019, defeating quality opponents like Ramona, Madison, and Rancho Christian. Quarterback Gavin Caha has thrown for 616 yards, while running back Abel Lopez rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns last week. On defense, Gunner Minnich recorded two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.
Valhalla is still searching for consistency, falling 42-0 to Ramona last week. The Norsemen do have some standouts: linebacker Brody Shartel leads all East County defenders with 32 total tackles, while Zachary Haggar is tops in sacks with 3.5. Those efforts haven’t yet translated into wins, but they may keep Valhalla competitive in Grossmont Valley League play.
Prediction: Steele Canyon 49, Valhalla 7
No. 17 Santa Fe Christian (4-0) at Christian (1-2)
At Valley Stadium, this small-school rivalry nearly didn’t happen this season but was finalized late in scheduling. The history between these two is rich and dates back a couple of decades: SFC has won three of the last four meetings, including last year’s 21-6 win. Christian took the 2023 matchup, however, 17-14.
Santa Fe Christian comes in unbeaten, led by junior quarterback Dax Labrum, who has already thrown 15 touchdown passes with just one interception and more than 1,000 yards. The Eagles lean on their passing attack, with their ground game accounting for just 415 yards this season.
Christian counters with quarterback Caleb Runkle, who ranks third in the county in passing yards at 277 per game. Receiver Kai Rosier is the section’s leader in receiving yards per game (124.7). That duo will need to connect often to keep up with SFC’s high-powered offense.
Prediction: Santa Fe Christian 24, Christian 23
Grossmont (2-1) at Otay Ranch (1-3)
Grossmont is looking for consistency after a 35-22 loss to La Jolla. Quarterback Tyler Holmes continues to grow, passing for 196 yards last week while adding two rushing touchdowns. Running back Corbin Dow was a breakout star, rushing for 112 yards and a score. Defensively, Ryder Robinson has been strong up front with three sacks.
Otay Ranch, meanwhile, has been up and down. They battled La Jolla in a close 14-7 loss but also fell 50-0 to San Diego. The Mustangs will need a strong showing from quarterback AJ Lopez and their defense to slow Grossmont’s weapons.
Prediction: Grossmont 34, Otay Ranch 27
Castle Park (1-3) at El Cajon Valley (1-3)
The Braves earned their first win last week, 23-8 over Orange Glen, behind the breakout performance of Janvier Kashindi, who rushed for 154 yards, giving him 316 yards on the year, and two touchdowns while also adding an interception. El Cajon Valley’s ground game has averaged 5.7 yards per carry, giving them confidence entering this matchup.
Castle Park, meanwhile, fell to Monte Vista earlier this season and has only one win, over Victory Christian.
Prediction: El Cajon Valley 27, Castle Park 24
Mountain Empire (3-1) at Tri-City Christian (0-3)
Mountain Empire has been one of the most improved teams in the section this season, even after last week’s 27-19 loss to San Ysidro. Running back Elisha Lashone Robinson rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, and linebacker Jason Landman posted nine tackles.
Tri-City Christian is winless but playing at home in this league opener. Still, the RedHawks have shown more offensive punch and defensive toughness so far.
Prediction: Mountain Empire 27, Tri-City Christian 21
Foothills Christian (0-4) at Maranatha Christian (3-1)
This Pacific League game looks lopsided on paper. Foothills has struggled since its return to 11-man football and has seen its rating fall sharply. Still, the Knights have some playmakers: running back Jack Sudi ranks 14th in the county with 477 rushing yards, while receiver Mason Wilborn has 20 catches, among the top totals in the county.
Maranatha, however, has balance. Last week, Aaron Tasin rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns, while Hudson Heinrichs hauled in two scoring receptions.
Prediction: Maranatha Christian 56, Foothills Christian 14
