(c) East County Sports.com
SOLANA BEACH (10-1-06) -- A lofty ranking and a chance to establish itself among El Capitan High's all-time best football teams nearly went up in smoke Saturday afternoon (Sept. 30) at Santa Fe Christian.

The hosting Eagles had the No. 4-ranked Vaqueros back-peddling on the first play of scrimmage and led 28-7 after one half. But El Capitan, proving it is worthy of its season-long praise, fought back to escape with a 35-34 non-league victory.

El Capitan took its only lead (the final score) when highly-touted quarterback RYAN LINDLEY passed 7 yards to ANTHONY LYBARGER to tie the game 34-34. A.J. CONTI connected for his fifth PAT kick in as many tries for what proved to be the winning marker with 8:13 remaining.

Now halfway through the season, El Capitan stands at 5-0 for the first time since 1973.

"We've played four big games in a row and they are going to keep getting bigger," El Capitan coach RON BURNER admitted. "We're no longer a secret. We're not going to sneak up on anybody. Everybody we play is coming after us with their 'A' game and it's up to us to be ready."

The Vaqueros were caught off guard by SFC (2-2).

Corbin Cutshaw blew through the El Capitan defense for an 80-yard touchdown on the opening handoff for a 7-0 lead. Ditto SFC's second series when Mac Zinders bolted 54 yards to the endzone on the first play. Suddenly it was 14-0 just 6:26 into the game.

Beach Ball

Vaqueros receiver Ben Noy (21) extends to make a dramatic one-anded catch (top), then securely pulls the ball in for the reception and a first down. (Photos by Chris Edwards)

"About then, I was thinking, 'Gee, now I know how Poway must have felt,'" Burner recalled of a week three game where the Vaqueros stormed to a 26-0 lead over a stunned band of Titans.

Burner said he scolded then challenged his players at halftime to pull an about-face in the final two quarters. His players apparently got the message.

Lindley led the Vaqueros to score 21 points in a span of four minutes, 36 seconds of the third quarter, tying the contest at 28-all.

SFC did not roll over. Instead, the Eagles regained the lead 34-28 with 1:25 left in the third quarter. Where the Eagles stubbed their toe was on the PAT try, failing to split the uprights for the first time in five attempts. That's because El Capitan's TOMMIE DRAHEIM, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound senior, rose up to make what proved to be a game-saving block.

Burner saw Draheim's block as two-fold in value.

After Lindley directed the Vaqueros on a game-winning, 11-play, 73-yard scoring drive to put El Capitan on top, the Eagles flew back downfield and got into scoring position with three minutes remaining.

Cady tried a 31-yard field goal that would haven give SFC a two-point edge, but his kick missed wide right.

"I think their kicker was still thinking about that missed PAT," Burner said. "So he rushed his kick and pushed wide right."

El Capitan then ran out the clock.

"This is the first time we've been behind all year," Burner said. "It's nice to know that we have the ability to come back like we did. To put it mildly, this was a good win for us."

Lindley's numbers have been bigger in past games. But what he threw at SFC was nothing to sneeze at. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior, who is now being recruited by SDSU as well as a handful of other Div. I colleges, hit 16 of his 22 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles. He also scored a pair of touchdowns on 1-yard runs.

"Ryan has had better days, but he came up big when we had to have it," Burner said.

Embarking on the comeback trail, Lindley hit Conti with an 83-yard scoring pass just 58 seconds into the third quarter to cut SFC's lead to 28-14.

A JAKE STEUERMANN fumble recovery at the SFC 17, set the stage for the second of Lindley's 1-yard TD plunges.

Looking back to the first half, Burner couldn't help but note a key defensive play in what was otherwise El Capitan's poorest 24 minutes of the season.

"As it turns out, that was a key turning point for us in terms of momentum," Burner said. "Just a big play."

Burner had plenty of praise for the opposition, as he should have. Cutshaw shredded the El Cap defense for 258 yards and 3 TDs on 20 carries.

"He's the best back we've faced," Burner said. "And we knew he was good going in, keyed on him, and he still killed us."

Conti finished with five receptions for 187 yards. BEN NOY also had five catches for 43 yards and three kickoff returns for 63. BEN WILKINS led the Vaqueros' ground game with 53 yards on 12 carries.

TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 52, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 6 -- At El Camino High: The Knights stayed close for a quarter in their Pacific League opener, but the Eagles ran off 38 straight points to capture their first victory of the season.

Trailing 14-0, the lone Foothills score came on a 26-yard TD run by senior running back BRANDON JOHNSTON with 45 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

However, injuries to the Knights' linebacking corps -- three starters are now gone, including one for the season -- allowied Tri-City to roll up 388 yards in total offense. The Eagles also returned a kickoff 67 yards for the score to start the second half, while Foothills (0-4,0-1) was flagged for 10 times for 70 penalty yards, including eight on false start violations.

(c) East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-30-06) -- There they were, marching down the field.

A nice pass or two for first downs. Rushing the ball both outside and between the tackles. Then a late field goal for the go-ahead score, leaving the rest to a strong defense which kept their opponent out of the end zone all fourth quarter long.

"I've been telling this team all year that they can win," said Eagles coach RANDY DeWITT. "This program hasn't had much success in the 21st Century. This team has talent, but we have to make them believe they have that talent and can win."

The second rushing touchdown of the contest by JOEY SUTHERLAND, a 1-yard burst, tied the game in the first minute of the fourth period. Sutherland, who hopes to attend West Point , finished with 124 yards on 19 carries, receiving some assistance along the way.

"I got a beautiful block from No. 42 and I just followed him into the endzone," Sutherland said of fullback TYLER ANDRADE. "We call him 'Twitch' because he shakes sometimes when he doesn't take his medication."

"The guys like it when I twist my neck -- that's why they call me 'Twitch,'" noted the senior.

Granite Hills kicker Collin Cresap (3), off the hold of Joey Sutherland, boots a 37-yard field goal with 2:12 remaining to lift the Eagles past 8th-ranked West Hills, 17-14, at Valley Stadium. (Susan Cooper Photography)

"Coach decided to go for the touchdown on fourth down, which was OK with me," noted Cresap. "But when it was fourth down the next time, I was a little nervous, but I know I am good from 40 yards and in. I just stay in rhythm and go 'one, two,' and it's down the middle."

West Hills (4-1) held the advantage throughout most of the first three quarters.

TREVOR KOLOCHESKI scored a pair of Wolf Pack touchdowns on passes from ERIC FIEGE. He hauled in a 23-yarder for a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, but Sutherland countered on a 23-yard run to knot the contest before the intermission.

Kolocheski pulled down a 40-yard Fiege aerial for a 14-7 lead through three periods, but Granite Hills answered quickly.

The fourth quarter opened on a 57-yard pass from CODY SWANSON to tight end CHASE KETCHUM, who rumbled to the Wolf Pack-2 to setup Sutherland's second score. Ketchem caught four balls for 91 yards.

West Hills' final chance was quickly dashed on three incompletions and a sack by DEREK COCKRUM. In the middle of each play was Eagles defensive end JOSH STEWART, who was a thorn in the Pack's side all night.

"Their line did a good job talking smack, but we were taking them all game," noted Stewart. "We stunted and blitzed them, finding room to the quarterback. We came in wanting to pound them -- it was a very big win for us."

Swanson was 9-for-18 passing for 133 yards, giving the Eagles their first victory over West Hills since 1999.

On the first play from scrimmage by the Bulldogs, outside linebacker JON SABLAN broke through the line and spun around quarterback Jesus Valencia in the end zone. In Sablan's mind, it was an effortless two points on a safety.

"I had him -- it was easy," noted Sablan. "Then Zack told me he got a touchdown. I didn't know what happened."

Indeed, while Sablan spun Valencia to the ground, the ball was thrown in desperation.

"He tossed it right to me," said ZACK MEYERS, who earlier scored on a 55-yard interception return against Sweetwater in the season opener. "I just ran in to help out and he tossed it right to me. Thank you."

No return was needed; Meyers was already in the end zone for a touchdown and the Braves went on to down Calexico, 21-14, in Friday's (Sept. 29) non-league contest at El Cajon Valley Stadium."

Conversely, no matter how many mistakes the Braves'offense committed, the defense was there to bail them out. ECV turned the ball over seven times, but the Bulldogs were able to convert just once all night.

"We kept punching away no matter what happened," said quarterback KIANIE BROOKS, who ran and passed for scores. "Our defense played great and kept us in front."

Brooks rushed 20 times for a game-high 143 yards, including an important scramble for the go-ahead score. Immediately after Calexico assumed an 8-7 advantage by converting a 2-point conversion, Brooks broke free along the left side for a 54-yard gain. Two plays later, Brooks sneaked in from the Calexico-1 for a 15-8 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs marched 85 yards to open the second half. Included was a delayed handoff to Oscar Sanchez (15 carries, 100 yards) that went for 57 yards. Willie Burgos followed with a 25-yard rush, then Sanchez scored from the ECV-2. The conversion was missed, leaving the Braves with a 15-14 advantage.

However, El Cajon Valley (3-2) again answered on its next drive, although both Braves quarterbacks temporarily went down.

Following a holding penalty, Brooks raced 29 yards for a first down, but injured a leg on the play. JON BERMUDES entered, but he was hit hard during a short rush, also requiring the trainer's attention.

Braves coach JASON TEXLER was forced to call a timeout, but Brooks jogged back onto the field as though nothing ever happened. Brooks completed his next four passes, capped by a 15-yarder to JAMES JOYNER, who was left uncovered in the left corner of the endzone for the touchdown to complete a 9-play, 62-yard march.

Meanwhile, Calexico's offense went rebuffed the rest of the way, missing on its last two chances to pull out a late victory.

With less than nine minutes to play, the Bulldogs faked the sweep and attempted a halfback option pass, but a wide-open receiver dropped the ball.

On their final possession, a fake punt saw up-back Edgar Alarcon connected with Anthony Leyva on a 31-yard pass. Two plays later, Bulldogs quarterback Ivan Rodriguez went for the score, but Brooks intercepted the pass for a touchback to seal the verdict with 2:16 remaining.

"We do everything well on defense when we don't underestimate our opponent," said Alexis, who also forced a fumble which was recovered by teammate PHILLIP ROGERS. "And we give everything we've got out there, too."

Everyone shared in the wealth for the Braves. Along with the three turnovers, the D-unit registered four sacks, including stops by JESSE CODERE, TYLER WETZEL, Sablan and Meyers.

Calexico reached Brooks six times for sacks, including three by Carlos Arias. Among the five interceptions by the Bulldogs, three were hauled in by Sergio Martinez for 40 yards in returns.

"We made a lot of mistakes, but the only stat that counts is in the 'W-L' column," noted Texler. "That's what matters the most."

Joyner paced ECV receivers with five grabs for 41 yards, while KEVIN KELLY caught four balls for 31 yards, as Brooks finished with 172 yards on 19-for-37 passing. (c) East County Sports.com

HELIX 17, BRAWLEY 14 -- Despite missing two key starters, the Helix Highlanders proved themselves worthy road-warriors Friday (Sept. 29) night as they knocked off Imperial Valley League powerhouse Brawley (3-1) with a come-from-behind effort.

After falling behind 14-0, due primarily to their own miscues, the 10th-ranked Highlanders scored the final 17 points to run their record to 4-1.

"I don't know why it is but we always come out and find a way to turn the ball over early in the game," said Helix head coach DONNIE VAN HOOK. "We had three first-quarter turnovers and for the third game in a row, gave away a touchdown because of an offensive error."

But Helix did survive six turnovers to bring home a victory.

"That's a credit to our defense, which is playing really well right now," Van Hook said.

The Highlanders, who were playing without leading rusher KENSLOW SMITH and return specialist LARRY GIST, took the lead for keeps on ERIC FORNEY's 3-yard run in the third quarter. Forney finished the night with 85 yards on 18 carries.

"Once again we have to look to our defense for cementing this victory,: Van Hook said.

Van Hook was complimentary to quarterback DORIAN STATON, who pumped up an anemic passing game by completing 7 of 17 passes for 136 yards. Staton's 32-yard TD pass to CHRIS SMITH cut an early 14-0 Brawley lead in half.

"Dorian really threw the ball well, and that's what we need," Van Hook said.

The Highlanders added a 28-yard by KENNY EWERT to make it a 4-point game by halftime.

Upon gaining the lead, the Highlanders can thank their defense and special teams for sealing the victory. Statistically, punter Chris Smith shows only a 33-yard average, but his 47-yard punt out of the endzone in the fourth quarter was a key ingredient to the Helix win.

Other factors to the Highlanders escape from the desert were a touchdown-saving tackle by DERRIC MILLER, a fumble recovery in the final minute by JAMAR TAYLOR, and Brawley's decision to go for a 4th-and-goal from the 6-yard line rather than attempting a game-tying field goal with three minutes remaining. (c) East County Sports.com

CHRISTIAN 28, MOUNT MIGUEL 19 -- When the Christian High players stood on the sidelines in disbelief as they watched senior running back SCOT ALLEN remove himself from the game, tugging at his shoulder in obvious pain, they had to wonder whether they had enough left to stave off the hard-hitting Mount Miguel Matadors in Friday's (Sept. 29) non-league game in Spring Valley.

Ironically, it was a 26-yard pass reception on 4th down from quarterback DANNY MITCHELL that proved to be the final play of Allen's high school career. Talk about taking one for the team. Allen's catch gave the Patriots a 1st-and-goal at the 8-yard line.

As Allen left in an ambulance, the Patriots scored the first points of the game on a 4th-down plunge by LAWRENCE WALKER from the 1-yard line. KYLER DWYER converted the first of his 4 PATs, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead.

Mount Miguel's first series of the night was probably the pivotal point of the game, even though it was in the first quarter. The Matadors -- trailing 7-0 at the time -- chose to go for a 4th-and-one at their own 34-yard line.

Apparently Christian's defensive lineman PATRICK KELLY, who had a game high 10 tackles on the night, did not adhere to the script. Kelly, a junior, broke through the Mount Miguel line to drop the Matadors' leading rusher ELLIOT TAYLOR for a 2-yard loss.

"Even though we lost Allen -- probably our best all-around player -- for the season," said Christian coach MATT OLIVER. "Our kids rallied. It's tough to lose a guy like that."

Dwyer rushed for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 carries as Christian (4-1) took a 21-7 halftime lead and then held on for the victory.

Mitchell had his best game of the year, completing 9-of-14 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown, including an 11-yard TD pass to JORDAN GRAVES.

"To be able to win these tough games we're going to have to be able to throw the ball," Oliver said. "And Danny's throwing the ball pretty well right now. I think our passing game really caught them off guard, since I think they were geared toward stopping our running game."

Graves caught four passes for 45 yards, and Dwyer grabbed 3 for 25 yards.

Christian's offensive coordinator DAVID BEEZER, a former head coach, is in love with the forward pass. The chance to open up the attack in the first half where the Patriots went to the air brought back memories for Beezer, who led the Patriots to three successive SDCIF Division III championships (1993-95).

"We got great protection, ran great routes, and made great catches," said Beezer. "This was better than I ever thought we could throw it. And the best part, it wasn't shy. Mitchell threw the ball with authority. It wasn't run around and chuck it. It was precision routes -- the timing was perfect."

All three of Mount Miguel's touchdowns came on passes from AARON BRYANT to acrobatic wide receiver LARON RUSH. Bryant, who played a complete game for the first time all season, completed 9 of 13 passes for 137 yards, including scoring strikes of 10, 19 and 10 yards to Rush. The 6-foot-4, 191-pound senior caught 4 passes for 52 yards.

The Matadors' Taylor led all rushers with 90 yards on 12 carries.

"We had a lot of penalties and a lot of mental errors tonight," said Mount Miguel coach TOM KARLO. "That is unusual for us. Overall I think we're still a block away from being a full offense." (c) East County Sports.com

STEELE CANYON 33, HILLTOP 17 -- An off week paid major dividends for the Steele Canyon Cougars in Friday (Sept. 29) night's non-league game played at Hilltop.

The Cougars did some key shuffling, the type that might make head coach RON BOEHMKE want to try his luck in Las Vegas.

JAMIE DALE, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound junior, stepped in at tailback for the first time as a starter. That was not good news for the home-standing Lancers. Dale took 25 handoffs and rushed for a school record 264 yards, and scoring 3 touchdowns as the Cougars snapped a two-game losing streak to even their season record at 2-2.

"Yeah, that week off really helped us to put some things together," said Boehmke. "By game time Friday, we were pretty hungry."

Dale scored on runs of 59, 14, and 17 yards as the Cougars registered a season scoring high. In their first three games Steele Canyon totaled 30 points, but scored only one offensive touchdown. He enjoyed a record-breaking all-purpose running game, finishing with 383 yards. He had a 44-yard punt return and two kickoff returns valued at 75 yards.

"Dale is a fast kid who has great instincts," Boehmke said. "He gives us breakaway speed, something we haven't had."

Steele Canyon quarterback NICK STATHAS made his first varsity start and completed 9-of-18 passes for 87 yards. His numbers included a third quarter, 6-yard scoring pass to SCOTT PERLIN.

The Cougars' JOEY GUILLORY, who shifted from tailback to fullback, averaged 7 yards per carry on 9 rushes and caught 3 passes for 26 yards.

SC kicker ERIC CARRILLO kicked field goals of 24 and 20 yards, converted 3-of-4 PATs, averaged 45.5 on two punts, and caught two passes for 26 yards. (c) East County Sports.com

SANTANA 42, EL CENTRO-SOUTHWEST 8 -- For the Santana Sultans, the season is nearing the halfway point, and they stand at 3-1. It's a familiar scenario for the Santee-11: they were 5-0 a year ago and ended the season 5-6.

Following the Sultans' lop-sided licking of the visiting Eagles from El Centro Southwest High, Santana coach DAVE GROSS offered guarded optimism.

"To tell you the truth I don't know how good we are yet," Gross said. "We're scoring some points and playing some defense, but the truth to our season lies ahead."

Santana, which scores on its first four possessions against hapless Southwest, is averaging close to 41 points a game. That average would no doubt be more inflated had Gross not reeled in the dogs in two of the Sultans' four games.

Playing slightly more than half the game, Santana senior quarterback COLLIN TAYLOR completed 12-of-18 passes for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns. Taylor also scored a touchdown before taking a stance on the sidelines to watch back-up QB JAMES NEEDY complete 6-of-10 passes for 107 yards and one TD.

Needy also rushed eight times for 68 yards.

As has become the custom, several Santana hands have reached out to catch passes. KYLE ROMERO was the leader of the show on this night, collecting six balls for 114 yards and one score.

JON TIPPIN caught 4 passes for 93 yards, but was held out of the endzone. He did convert all 6 of his PAT kicks.

ANTHONY MORENO also caught 4 passes for 32 yards and one touchdown. TYLER AUBREY reeled in a 56-yard TD score, and BRANDON WALKER caught a 10-yard aerial in the endzone.

Santana's latest scoring spree was not limited to offense. Sophomore CRIS KIMMEL intercepted a Southwest and rambled 19 yards for a touchdown. (c) East County Sports.com

CATHEDRAL 24, MONTE VISTA 0 -- Finding the endzone continues to be a mystery for the Monarchs (1-3), who have scored a total of three points in their last three games.

"We have no consistency on offense," Monte Vista coach PAGE CULVER said. "There is a glimmer of hope because our kids hustle and play hard. We play pretty decent defense, too. But it hurts when we can't keep our defense off the field."

Cathedral (2-2) racked up five quarterback sacks and capitalized on a pair of punting miscues as all the scoring came in the first half. One of the errant snaps resulted in a 10-yard punt that was turned into a 14-yard touchdown return by Darius Ryales. The second weak snap gave Cathedral possession at the Monte Vista 5-yard line and eventually resulted in a Dons' score.

CHAREDNICK WILLIAMS rushed for 69 yards on a dozen carries for the Monarchs, while JAMES CODY added 26 yards on eight runs.

Monte Vista was unable to complete a pass and netted just 41 yards for the night due to all the quarterback sacks.

JOSH GOSSMEYER had an interception and a sack for Monte Vista. LONNIE ALEXANDER also picked off a pass for the Monarchs and BRANDON BURTON added a second sack. (c) East County Sports.com

EL CENTRO-CENTRAL 14, GROSSMONT 7 -- The visiting Foothillers once again sputtered on offense Friday night (Sept. 29) as they lost a defensive battle in the desert.

The Spartans (4-1) snapped a 7-7 tie when Joe Signorotti squeezed across the goal line from 2 yards out giving Central Union its fourth win in five starts.

Grossmont (2-3) completed only one pass and totaled just 144 yards for the night.

Senior AUGIE WILLIAMS was the Foothillers' lone offensive threat with 83 rushing yards on 19 carries.

The first half was scoreless before Central finally broke through when the second half kickoff bounced off a Grossmont player and was recovered by the Spartans at the Foothillers-38 yard line. Central eventually scored on an 8-yard run by Brock Moore, which was the ninth play of a predominantly rush series.

Grossmont countered with a lengthy scoring drive that was capped by Williamsâ'1-yard run. MARCUS FLORES' PAT kick tied it at 7-all.

Trailing 14-7, Grossmont elected to punt on a 4th-and-4 play from its own 31-yard line with less than five minutes to play.

Grossmont never touched the ball again, as Central's ball-control offense ran out the clock.

The Foothillers had superior field position in the opening half but failed to take advantage. Grossmont missed two field goals and Central missed another, which left the game scoreless at halftime. (c) East County Sports.com

THE WEEKLY WIZARD -- PREDICTIONS
Last Week: 6-2 (.750)
Season: 30-9 (769)

Helix takes next 'Friday Night Lights' step

(c) East County Sports.com
BRAWLEY (9-28-06) -- Just days before the television series version of "Friday Night Lights" is set to debut, the 10th-ranked Helix Highlanders will quickly learn what playing in a small-town atmosphere is truly like when they head to the Imperial Valley to meet the Brawley Wildcats.

The trip could just as easily be somewhere in the heart of Texas where high school football is hot stuff.

Last week, the Scotties played before a packed house at Grossmont High against their crosstown rivals. Nice, yet it pales in comparison to the 5,000-to-7,000 fans expected to pack Lions Field -- the largest high school venue in the San Diego Section.

Brawley's talent plus a passion-whipped crowd was no match for Crawford last week. Those factors coupled with an emotional pregame ceremony for two members of the Wildcats' football program who were lost in recent weeks. A spinal injury to Brian Thomas, 17, during a practice session eventually led to his death, while volunteer junior varsity baseball coach Clark Seybert, 56, passed away from injuries in a car accident after visiting Thomas at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego .

The season is dedicated to the pair, making for an inspired Wildcats football squad. Plus, this program knows how to win as much as Helix; Brawley (3-0) is the 9-time defending Imperial Valley League champions.

It will be up the Highlanders to score early and not allow the crowd to carry the undefeated 'Cats -- ranked 10th in the other major CIFSDS poll -- to another victory. Plus, Brawley's offense will not be at full strength.

Starting quarterback Mark Valdez received a sever shoulder stinger after getting tackled on a botched PAT attempt. He was removed from the field by ambulance, but Brawley officials said he could return this week. However, running back Travis Cox, who scored five touchdowns in the season opener, is out with a broken foot.

The sometimes skittish Highlanders should have enough poise to quell the Brawley noise. . . Helix 28-14.

Fri., Sept. 29
Grossmont at El Centro-Central -- Three other East County teams face off against Imperial Valley foes this week, including the Foothillers who join Helix on the road, meeting the Central Union Spartans in El Centro .

The Hillers fell one play short of upsetting the Scotties (3-1) last week, so they will need to quickly regroup to meet a Spartans side riding high following a 35-0 revenge victory over La Jolla .

Central's Ricky Smith only touched the ball four times against the Vikings, yet burned them for 115 rushing yards and an 85-yard interception for a touchdown, as Central posted its second consecutive shutout.

Both teams have scored most of their points in the second half, so if the sputtering Grossmont offense (less than 12 points in its last three contests) can hit the board early, look for the Hillers to survive the long trek to the desert. . . Grossmont, 17-14.

El Centro-Southwest at Santana -- The Sultans offense is burning the scoreboard at a 40 points-per-game clip -- that's even better than El Capitan -- but the defense has been equally leaky until blanking lowly Sweetwater last week.

Southwest is another school that does not rank in the upper echelons. Despite coming into the game with their first victory in three starts, the Eagles (1-2) barely staved off a late rally by Vincent Memorial. Christian dumped Vincent Memorial by a 42-0 count, then clipped the Sultans, 31-29 a week later. So what does this all mean?. . . Santana, 42-7.

Calexico at El Cajon Valley -- Both teams opened the season with fast starts, but now enter with losing streaks -- including shutout losses in their last starts -- so something's gotta give.

Calexico's Bulldogs (2-2) mounted just 117 yards in a 12-0 setback to Orange Glen, while the Braves (2-2) were blanked by previous winless Patrick Henry, 34-0.

Both teams like to pass, but ECV's Five-Wide should pose more problems than Calexico can handle with its standard Pro Set. In the longest -- time-wise -- ballgame of the season, look for El Cajon Valley to win. . . El Cajon Valley, 42-28.

Christian at Mount Miguel -- Although these East County school are located just 13 miles apart, it's the first-ever meeting for the Patriots (3-1) and Matadors (2-1).

The Pats did everything possible to stop the ground game of Taft Union, but allowed a fourth-quarter lead to slip away. The Matadors like to run, too, plus the defense is allowing just 11.0 points per outing, including a second-half shutout of Madison last week.

Christian can run between the tackles, but will the smaller squad get worn down again by the much bigger Matadors? This one is a toss-up, so we'll take the more experienced ballclub. . . Christian, 10-8.

Monte Vista at Cathedral -- The Monarchs lost leading rusher Virdal Moon, who left the team for personal reasons. Not exactly what Monte Vista needs. Points will be at a premium for both teams. So the Dons get the nod for having home field advantage. . . Cathedral, 14-7

Sat., Sept. 30
El Capitan at Santa Fe Christian -- This Saturday afternoon contest in Solana Beach will feature a pair of the county's best passing attacks. SFC is coached by former NFL (1980) MVP Brian Sipe (Grossmont High/Grossmont College/SDSU), who knows a thing or two about throwing the football. However, Sipe won't be doing the passing, as his squad operates out of the Wing-T. The passing advantage belongs to the Vaqueros, which is guided by while county leader RYAN LINDLEY. . . El Capitan, 42-21.

(c) East County Sports.com
ESCONDIDO (9-25-06) -- Following a loss by season-long No. 1 Oceanside to San Clemente of the Southern Section, the new top-rated team in the San Diego Section is Torrey Pines, which received 13 of a possible 22 first-place votes.

The Pirates, meanwhile, fell to third, one slot above East County's top-ranked team, El Capitan, which took Valhalla completely out of the San Diego Sportswriters-Sportscasters Poll following a 31-0 pasting last Friday.

Joining the Vaqueros in the Top 10 are West Hills, which advanced one position to 8th place, and the return of Helix at No. 10. The Highlanders were listed in the preseason poll, but fell after losing to Oceanside on opening night, yet have now won three straight contests to rejoin the county elite.