Griffs drop 2 OT thriller to Corsairs

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 28, 2025

2025 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SANTA MONICA 46, GROSSMONT 38

EastCountySports.com

SANTA MONICA (Oct. 25, 2025) — The Grossmont College Griffins went blow-for-blow with one of the region’s top programs on Saturday night but fell just short in a double-overtime classic, dropping a 46–38 heartbreaker to Santa Monica College at Corsair Field.

The Griffins (5–3, 1–2 National Central League) produced highlight after highlight, including two defensive touchdowns and a 98-yard kickoff return, but the host Corsairs had the final answer to escape with the win.

Grossmont’s defense set the tone early when Jayshon Calhoun jumped a route for a 58-yard interception return to the house for the first score of the game.

Moments later, after Santa Monica tied it, Isaac Syph electrified the sideline with a 98-yard kickoff return, giving the Griffins a 14–7 advantage.

The teams traded momentum all night in one of the wildest games of the season.

After Santa Monica evened it up, Paris Dixon delivered another huge defensive play, picking off a pass and taking it back 23 yards for a touchdown to put Grossmont up 21–14 in the third quarter.

Grossmont quarterback Melvin Spicer IV (23-for-41, 307 yards, 2 TDs) led the Griffins’ offense, connecting with Jaden Moore on a six-yard touchdown in the fourth to tie the game at 28–28.

After Santa Monica’s late field goal gave the Corsairs a 31–28 edge, kicker Tyler Haley drilled a clutch 26-yard field goal with just 15 seconds left to send it to overtime tied 31–31.

In the first overtime, Spicer found Ayden Billups for a 25-yard touchdown to give Grossmont a 38–31 lead.

However, Santa Monica matched it to force a second OT, where the Corsairs struck first and converted a two-point try to seal the 46–38 final.

Billups finished with seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown, while Jordan Benton added 105 yards on five grabs. Myles Norman paced the rushing attack with 45 yards on 11 carries.

Defensively, Garret Luckinbill anchored the Griffins with 12 total tackles (3.5 for loss) and two quarterback hurries, while Sy Fanua and Diego Jaimes each recorded sacks. Grossmont’s defense picked off four passes, including two by Dixon.

Despite the loss, Grossmont’s all-around performance was one of its best of the season against a ranked opponent.

Mesa Controls Tempo, Tops Chaffey 31–21

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Mesa Olympians (3–5, 2–3) put together one of their most complete performances of the year, earning a 31–21 win over Chaffey on Saturday.

Quarterback Reggie Johnson was efficient and balanced, completing 15 of 27 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 58 yards. Running back Derek McClintic added 53 yards and a score, and Makai Gray-Virgil provided the spark with a 70-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter that broke the game open.

Mesa’s defense was sturdy down the stretch, allowing just one score over the final 15 minutes. Cowboy Hatcher sealed the game with a late interception, and kicker Joshua Hossmann Lees was perfect on the night, including a 40-yard field goal.

Southwestern’s Comeback Falls Short vs. No. 8 El Camino

CHULA VISTA — Southwestern College nearly pulled off a massive upset before falling 38–35 to No. 8-ranked El Camino in a National Southern League showdown at DeVore Stadium.

After falling behind 21–0 early, the Jaguars (4–4, 1–2) roared back with 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to make it a three-point game at halftime. Quarterback Javion Frazier led the charge, tossing two touchdowns and rushing for another, while running back Jaylon Sanders added a short TD run to keep Southwestern alive late.

Trailing 38–21 in the fourth, the Jags scored twice to pull within three but couldn’t get the ball back as El Camino ran out the clock with a 13-play drive. Southwestern showed plenty of fight and continues to battle in one of the state’s toughest leagues.

Palomar Falls to Saddleback, 31–10

SAN MARCOS — It’s been a challenging year for Palomar College, and Saturday’s 31–10 loss to powerhouse Saddleback didn’t make things any easier.

The Comets (1–7) hung around early, cutting the deficit to 7–3 on a Carson Beard 30-yard field goal, but couldn’t slow the Bobcats’ ground game.

Quarterback KJ Chatham threw for 168 yards, and receiver Micah Johnson had a strong outing with 144 receiving yards. Running back Jakob Harris added 42 yards on the ground and a short rushing TD.

Despite the defeat, Palomar continued to show flashes of improvement with over 250 passing yards and solid time of possession.