East County Sports

Foothillers’ climb continues at Otay

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

GROSSMONT 28, OTAY RANCH 20

EastCountySports.com

CHULA VISTA – Grossmont relied on a dominant defensive performance and the dual-threat play of quarterback Tyler Holmes to escape with a 28-20 road win over Otay Ranch Friday night.

Holmes, who has continued to develop into a complete offensive weapon, amassed more than 200 yards rushing and passing, tossing two touchdowns to keep the Foothillers ahead in a game that at times tested their consistency.

AJ Hooker was once again a standout, scoring three times—twice on the ground and once through the air—while Randy Ballard added a receiving touchdown to round out Grossmont’s scoring.

While the Foothillers’ offense had flashes, the night belonged to the defense, and that’s a good thing for this Grossmont club that has been a bit unbalanced over the last couple of seasons.

Kai Jones recovered two fumbles and finished with nine tackles, helping disrupt Otay Ranch’s rhythm.

Drew Sasena contributed eight tackles, including 3½ for loss, and Gage Weichelt added a crucial interception that stalled a Mustang drive.

“W played (poorly) on offense but defense was able to contain them and keep us in the game,” said Grossmont head coach Anthony Lawrence.

That sentiment summed up a night where the Foothillers’ defensive effort and big plays from key offensive contributors were apparently enough to secure the win.

Grossmont jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the second quarter before Otay Ranch answered to make it 14-12.

From there, the game stayed competitive, but the Hillers’ ability to create turnovers and make plays when it mattered kept the Mustangs from taking the lead.

The victory moves Grossmont to 3-1 on the season, providing a boost of momentum heading into next week’s matchup at home against Mira Mesa.

Last season, the two teams met twice, with Grossmont narrowly winning 32-28 in the regular season and then defeating the Marauders 49-24 in the first round of the Division I playoffs.

With Holmes continuing to grow into a dual-threat star, Hooker’s versatility, and a defensive front that consistently pressures opposing quarterbacks, Grossmont should be confident at home going up against a Marauders team that is rated slightly above them in the rankings.

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