EAGLES SCHEDULE Overall: 3-6-0 Grossmont South League: 1-3-0 Date Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Opponent at Mission Bay Westview Chula Vista at Orange Glen BYE at Grossmont *at Mount Miguel *at Helix *Steele Canyon *Monte Vista *Valhalla Score 14-21 10-03 12-39 27-14 10-23 7-28 0-49 ccd. 14-21 38-31 CHEERLEADERS Double-click to enlarge

JUNIOR VARSITY (1-7-1, 0-4 GSL) Date...... Opponent Score Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 10 Wk 11 Mission Bay Westview Chula Vista Orange Glen BYE Grossmont *Mount Miguel *Helix *Monte Vista *Valhalla 29-39 14-13 28-38 27-27 20-43 14-21 03-41 07-30 07-21 FRESHMEN (5-4, 1-3 GSL) Date Opponent Score Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 10 Wk 11 Mission Bay Westview Chula Vista Orange Glen BYE Grossmont *Mount Miguel *Helix *Monte Vista *Valhalla 10-00 07-06 20-12 26-12 00-19 27-29 00-11 14-13 20-28

WEEK 11
GRANITE HILLS 38, VALHALLA 31 -- For two teams not going to the playoffs, archrivals Granite Hills and Valhalla went at it pretty good in Friday night's (Nov. 9) regular season finale. The host Eagles (3-6, 1-3 GSL) kept their fading playoff hopes alive by staving off a late Valhalla rally to celebrate their homecoming with a victory.

Norsemen sophomore quarterback PETE THOMAS, who enjoyed a record passing night, nearly directed a come-from-behind victory for Valhalla (2-7, 0-4 GSL). Trailing 38-24 with just over two minutes remaining, Thomas scampered 8 yards for a touchdown to close the gap to 7 points.

JOSH QUEJA's subsequent squib kick was nearly recovered by Valhalla but the ball went out of bounds at the Granite Hills 31-yard line. The Eagles tried to kill the clock, but NATE BROWN and DYLAN MITCHELL stuffed the runner for a loss on first down, and TANNER HITT (15 tackles) buried the runner for a 3-yard loss on second down, forcing Granite Hills to attempt a trick halfback pass that was dropped when two receivers collided.

Following the ensuing punt, Valhalla had one last chance to pull it out, starting at its 42-yard line with only 1:26 left in the game. Thomas hit BRANDON GIANDONI (10 catches, 154 yards) with back-to-back completions to the Eagles' 35-yard line. On the next play, senior linebacker EDDIE MINEAR sacked Thomas for a 4-yard loss. Undeterred, Thomas completed a quick out to ALEX JOHNSON for a 9-yard gain to the Granite Hills 30 with only 42 seconds to play.

On a third and 5 from the Eagles' 30, Minear once again burst through the line and sacked Thomas at the 35, setting up a 4th and 10 with time ebbing away.

Thomas then spotted Giandoni open near the goal line and threw a perfect pass that was spoiled by a pass interference penalty. That infraction gave Valhalla a first down at the Granite 20, but 8 seconds remaining.

Thomas hooked up again with Giandoni at the 11-yard line, where the receiver quickly stepped out of bounds with 2 seconds left. On the final play of the night Thomas threw a fade pass intended for RUFFY BACONG in the endzone, but the ball was batted away, securing the victory for Granite Hills.

"It was a fun game to be a part of," said Eagles coach RANDY DeWITT. " When you go up against a STEVE SUTTON-coached team you know its going to be a real shootout with a lot of passing."

Thomas had his best game of the season, connecting on a Valhalla record 32 of 51 passes for a Norsemen all-time high 383 yards and a touchdown. Thomas' completion count is the third best in Grossmont Conference history.

Sophomore TYLER JOWORSKI, starting only his second varsity game, did a nifty job of playing longball. His 5 of 13 passing accuracy produced 182 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a school record 88 yard scoring strike to BRADLEY CARTER.

Granite Hills senior HAROLD HARRIS enjoyed a career night, rushing for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries. He also caught two passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.

"We were fired up for tonight's game," added DeWitt. "It was our Homecoming game and it was our traditional rival. I had a speech all prepared for pregame but I didn't have to give it. I could tell in the players' eyes that they were really ready to play. The seniors really stepped up and took the lead."

Valhalla ran 76 offensive plays for 425 yards, compared to Granite Hills' 48 offensive plays for 366 yards.

On the defensive side, linebacker Hitt set an all-time Valhalla regular season record for tackles, finishing with 116 in only 9 games, eclipsing TRAVIS REED'S previous mark of 111, set in 1991.

The Valhalla defense looked tough in the early going. Mitchell tackled the runner for a 10-yard loss on first down, and defensive end SHANE PENNIX nailed the next ball carrier for a 2-yard loss, to the Norsemen 46. On third and 22, Joworski threw a strike to Harold Harris, who promptly turned on the afterburners and outran the defenders to the endzone for the game's first touchdown. COLLIN CRESAP kicked the first of his 4 PATs, and Granite Hills led 7-0, with 9:23 left in the first quarter.

A few minutes later, Joworski hooked up with running back BRENDAN CARTER for a 35-yard touchdown pass that floated over a leaping IVAN MAY to put Granite ahead 14-0.

As the first quarter was drawing to a close, Valhalla's May got his revenge when he intercepted an errant pass at the Norsemen 30 and eluded several tacklers, cruising 70 yards to put Valhalla on the board. After Thomas made the first of 3 PATs, the Norsemen trailed 14-7, with 38 seconds left in the first quarter.

Early in the second stanza, Thomas booted a 23-yard field goal, closing the gap to 4 points with 9:24 left until halftime.

Twenty seconds later, Harris swept around the left side of the Valhalla defense and sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown, extending Granite Hills' lead to 21-10.

Valhalla did not roll over, however. Starting at their 20-yard line after the ensuing kickoff, DEREK WHITE hauled in a 13-yard Thomas pass for a first down on the Valhalla 35-yard line. A nifty 8-yard run by ANTHONY JOPLIN got the visitors to their 43-yard line. A series of short passes motored the Norsemen down the field with some superb pass protection by offensive tackle JOSE CORTES, who is being recruited by New Mexico, Buffalo, Montana State, UC Davis and Sacramento State among others.

The Norsemen eventually scored as running back CHRIS BROWN swept around the right side and cut back to score a 17-yard touchdown, making it 21-17, with 4:47 left before intermission.

Just before the half ended, Thomas hooked up with Chris Brown for a 45-yard touchdown pass, giving Valhalla a 24-21 halftime lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, Granite Hills regained the lead on Joworski's record-breaking pass to Bradley Carter.

A poor punt snap handed the Eagles a safety and a 30-24 lead with 8:44 left in the game.

Following the free kick, Granite Hills eventually scored what proved to be the winning marker on a 5-yard run by Harold Harris. The Eagles were successful on a 2-point conversion pass as Joworski connected on a fade to Bradley Carter to take a 14 point lead with 4:22 remaining.

The difference was Payne's ability to run with the football, rushing 16 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns, plus a 2-point conversion carry, to push the Monarchs to a 21-7 advantage.

"Maurice is the smartest kid I've ever coached," said Monarchs coach PAGE CULVER. "He's a playmaker who knows what he's doing, and even as a sophomore, he does a good job running our team."

Payne completed 7-of-17 passes for 122 yards, but was nearly overshadowed by Jaworski, who almost completed a storybook finish for Granite Hills.

Jaworski's first career touchdown pass went 13 yards to RICHIE BESWICK with 4:12 remaining, then VINCENTE STAFFORD (the player Jaworksi replaced) refused to drop his head by recovering the ensuing onsides kickoff to give the Eagles a chance before a Senior Night gathering.

Monte Vista senior JOSH GOSSMEYER registered an interception, returning the ball 27 yards to stop the drive. But when the Monarchs attempted a quick kick on 4th down out of a standard shotgun formation, Stafford wasn't fooled and returned the punt 41 yards to give Granite Hills a final opportunity.

"We played hard in the fourth quarter and made sure we stopped them," explained Gossmeyer. "And we won because Maurice was more mobile and more experienced."

In the final minute, a pass of Jaworski completions -- to MIKE MISENSOL for 11 yards, then 13 yards to BRENDAN CARTER -- moved the ball to the Monarchs-14.

However, Monte Vista hung on when the Eagles were called for a holding penalty with 0:05 left, then defenders JOSH PARRIS and TRACY SHIELDS sacked Jaworski on the game's final play to register the team's first league triumph of the season.

Parris, a junior linebacker, finished with 2.5 of Monte Vista's five sacks. TAYLOR RODNEY-WALLACE and BRANDON BURTON registered the other sacks, while KENNETH TRIBBLE grabbed a first-half interception for the Monarchs defense.

"(Jaworski’s) still not very mobile," Burton , a defensive end, noted about the first-time starter. "So it's pretty easy to get back there when the tackle is also a little slow and you're going off the edge to pass rush. So it's nice to finally get a win again."

Granite Hills scored first when Brendan Carter raced 46 yards to the Monarchs red zone. Five plays later, Jaworski completed a wrap-around handoff to Harris, who rumbled 10 yards up the middle for a 7-0 lead. Jaworski finished with 144 yards on 17-for-33 passing.

"We were real excited about Jaworski coming up from the JV and now we have a couple of years to work with him," said Eagles coach RANDY DeWITT. "Since I've been here as offensive coordinator and now head coach, we haven't had someone we can develop like Tyler. He showed what he can do tonight."

Monte Vista , which gained 119 yards on its first three drives yet went scoreless, broke through midway through the second period when Payne found Gossmeyer defended by single coverage, going deep over the top along the right sideline on a 45-yard TD pass.

However, BRADLEY MEYER tipped the conversion kick, as the ball sailed barely wide to the right to maintain a 7-6 Eagles lead.

On the next possession, Payne connected with Gossmeyer (3 catches, 90 yards) for 23 yards, setting up a pair of 3-yard runs by Payne with 53 seconds left in the half -- the first for a touchdown, then a 2-point conversion romp for a 14-7 lead at intermission.

Payne then kept the ball on several option plays, rushing 11 yards around the right side, then going 2 runs behind the right guard and tackle for another score and a 21-7 lead in the third quarter.

"The week off was hard to come back from," added Culver. "It hurt us because in the offense we run, you have to be pretty precise. But we were able to battle and survive."

Jaworski stats could've really shined, but he was victimized by six dropped balls, while the Granite Hills defense dropped four potential interceptions, including two which would've gone for gimme touchdowns. The team's lone forced turnover was an interception by Stafford, a two-way player who transferred to the Granite Hills from Virginia.

"That's pretty much been the story of our season, just one or two plays," noted DeWitt. "If we make them, then we're in there and this would be another win for us."

Carter recorded 8 receptions for 67yards. On defense, Eagles defender EDDIE MINEAR registered two sacks, while FRANK CLAUS also reached Payne for a sack.

For Monte Vista, JERAD SCOTT was the game's leading rusher with 92 yards on 18 carries, while Gossmeyer ran for 41 yards to give Monte Vista a 328-205 advantage in total offense.

On Friday night (Oct. 19), when the No. 5 ranked Highlanders (5-1-1, 2-0 GSL) produced only 274 total yards, they scored 7 touchdowns in three quarters in support of a Helix defense that was recording its 3rd straight shutout.

The Highlanders defense held the Eagles to 126 total yards -- 125 rushing and a mere single yard passing.

"Our defense played another great game," stated Helix coach DONNIE VAN HOOK, who was equally pleased by his special teams unit.

"Our special teams play was great," he said. "We blocked a punt, recovered a fumble on a punt return and returned a kickoff (93 yards long by LARRY GIST) for a touchdown."

A dozen players contributed to Helix' 199 yards rushing led by PAUL BLAKENEY's 46 yards on 5 carries. JO-JO PHILLIPS finished with 36 yards on 6 carries including an 8-yard run that opened the scoring.

A 1-yard touchdown run by HOMER MAUGA and a 45-yard scoring sprint by TREVON VAN gave Helix a 21-0 lead after one quarter.

"We had an outstanding running game tonight," Van Hook said. "Our line blocking was outstanding. It was a great game for us teamwise. We got solid contributions from each phase of the game."

It was a solid but economic night for the Helix passers. ANTHONY DIAZ delivered 2nd quarter touchdown strikes of 21 yards to MARQUISE DEADWILER and 25 yards to GREG CORDER, staking the Highlanders to a 35-0 halftime lead.

TY CULVER completed his only pass of the night from 17 yards out to Van for a touchdown to finish the scoring. The teams played a scoreless 4th period.

"Helix is an excellent team, They are fast, aggressive and they played well," said Granite Hills coach RANDY DeWITT. "Anytime you try to get anywhere on them, there's a guy there. We got outplayed by them."

Helix had a special ceremony to honor the late JIM OXE, who died suddenly earlier this year. Oxe quarterbacked the Highlanders to their first SDCIF championship in 1978. Several members of the 1978 and 1979 teams were in attendance.

For Granite Hills, bright spots were BRADLEY CARTER, who rushed for 63 yards on 6 carries and returned 3 kickoffs for 69 yards. His twin brother BRENDAN CARTER returned 3 kickoffs for 61 yards.

The Matadors welcomed the return of running back ELLIOT TAYLOR, playing in only his second game after suffering a knee injury last spring. Taylor gained 80 first-half yards -- capped by a late 5-yard touchdown for a 21-0 halftime advantage -- en route to an easy Senior Night triumph.

Taylor finished with 85 yards on 15 carries plus a pair of catches to reach 96 total yards, then DERALL HUNTER mopped up with 8 carries for 69 yards.

"I feel good about where I'm at -- it's been a good comeback so far," said Taylor, one of East County's top rushers in 2006. "Sure, I missed some games, but this is where it's at -- winning league games. You gotta start somewhere and we're going for everybody."

On the Eagles' sideline, the news was not good where quarterback JUSTIN MONTGOMERY was out due to a high ankle sprain. Forced to start a third-stringer at quarterback, Mount Miguel quickly realized it would open Grossmont North League play with a victory by simply stopping the run.

While the Matadors defense shined, sophomore quarterback AARON BRYANT enjoyed another strong passing outing (12-24-0, 191 yards) with three touchdown strikes, including a pair of scores to AHMAD NUNLEY in the first period.

Nunley hauled in a short screen pass to the right side, then scampered 50 yards to cap the game's opening series just 1:50 into the ballgame. Nunley then took an 18-yard pass from Bryant with 11.8 seconds left in the period and the romp was on.

"I just try to run my routes as well as I can and catch anything that comes my way," said Nunley. "I hope we keep this up. This is a good start for league -- this is what we wanted."

The start was a bit surprising considering some predicted the Matadors to finish dead-last in the Grossmont South League.

"That's horrible -- I was hurt -- so we put it all out on the field," exclaimed linebacker Ernie "Chocolate" Johnson. "We were picked sixth in league, but we changed all that. We played a good game, with the O-line and D-line picking it up."

Taylor capped an 85-yard drive with his first touchdown of the season. Hunter keyed the march with runs of 8 and 35 yards, then TRAVON CAPLES leaped high to out-muscle a Granite Hills defensive back for a sparkling 27-yard reception along the Eagles sideline for a 3rd-down conversion to set-up Taylor's score.

Meanwhile, Mount Miguel's defense, knowing Granite Hills was unable to pass, took liberties on Eagles ball-carriers by bringing members of the secondary closer to the line of scrimmage. Included was a dramatic hit by linebacker RANDY TAITI, who smacked VINCENTE STAFFORD into a complete, 360-degree flip for the 3rd-down stop just a yard short of a first down marker.

Granite Hills kept going to the well with a counter handoff to BRADLEY CARTER, but after one successful 6-yard gain early, middle linebacker BRANDON KAIMULOA made it his responsibility to prevent the play from working again.

"We just worked harder over the last two weeks -- it was the best bye week we've ever hard -- and we had a good game plan to win," noted Kaimuloa.

For the contest, Granite Hills ran for just 147 yards on 40 carries, including a cosmetic 88 yards by tailback AARON HARRIS. Much of his yardage came on a 35-yard pitch on an option play to the left side, setting up a Stafford TD of 5 yards to break the shutout with 7:31 remaining.

Mount Miguel finished with 405 yards in total offense, including 214 on the ground, much of it going to the left side.

"We just tried to play hard the last two weeks in practice, then came out and tried to dominate them," noted left guard ONASI SOLO. "And we don't mind if Elliot misses every other practice (because of his knee injury) -- he's that good."

Bryant finished the scoring with a 56-yard pass to TONY SWINTON by going over the top of the Granite Hills secondary with 4:37 left. The Matadors intentionally took a knee at the Eagles-1 to expire the clock.

Both teams registered one sack, as KHAALID ABDULAH made one for a 10-yard loss for Mount Miguel, while the Eagles received a backfield hit by EDDIE MINEAR for a 12-yard loss, with FRANK CLAUS gaining an assist.

No question, Grossmont’s defense was the swing factor in Friday’s (Oct. 5) triumph over visiting Granite Hills.

Interceptions by KHALID WATERS (resulting in a 15-yard touchdown return), DOMINIQUE BRADLEY and BOBBY LOPEZ helped secure the Foothillers’ 4th win in 6 starts.

Grossmont’s defense came up big in the waning moments of the 4th quarter after the Eagles’ JAKE CASTILLO blocked a Foothillers punt that was recovered by Granite Hills’ GAGE MILLER at the Grossmont 10 with 7:54 remaining.

It took the Eagles (2-3) three plays to advance to the Grossmont 3-yard line. A 4th down pass from Granite Hills quarterback JUSTIN MONTGOMERY sailed over the head of the intended receiver, handing the ball back to Grossmont with 5:45 to play.

“Too many turnovers, too many missed chances,” Granite Hills coach RANDY DeWITT said. “Those are the kind of things you can’t do against a good team like Grossmont.”

Grossmont quarterback JOSH SIMMS scored early on a 46-yard run, but after that was under siege and unable to cross the line of scrimmage again.

“In that first scoring run, it was just a designed running play to the left, like student body left,” said Simms, who finished with 246 yards total offense. “But (Granite Hills) made adjustments in the 2nd half, started shifting guys and basically made us struggle on offense.”

Simms kicked field goals of 33, 24 and 28 yards and finished with 17 points for the Foothillers. In the last two games Simms has accounted for 48 of Grossmont’s 54 points.

“I love playing quarterback,” said Simms, who was a wide receiver last year. “But this was a tough game and we have to hand it to our defense. They won it for us.”

ERIC SPRINGE paced the Foothillers with 12 tackles and a sack, while Bradley had 11 tackles to go along with his interception. WILL KEYS made 8 stops, one more than Lopez.

“Defensively, we played very well,” said Hulbert. “Granite Hills did the right things against us, caused us some problems offensively. They wouldn’t let Simms get outside, and that was smart.”

Granite Hills quarterback Montgomery completed 15 of 30 passes for 109 yards, including a 2-yard scoring pass to MIKE MISENSOL on the final play of the 1st half. That left the Eagles trailing by 10 points.

The only scoring in the 2nd half was a field goal by Simms.

BRADLEY CARTER was a double-threat for the Eagles, rushing for a game-high 54 yards on 8 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 32 yards and returned one kickoff for 14 yards.

For Grossmont Waters caught 3 passes for 59 yards and rushed for 24 in addition to his interception return for a touchdown.

NICK FLOYD also caught 2 passes for 50 yards, while MICHAEL GRAHAM reeled in a pair of passes for 63 yards for the Foothillers.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-22-07) – It was a mighty exciting bus ride home from North County Friday (Sept. 21) night for the Granite Hills Eagles, who always break into song when they move to within a mile of their East Madison campus.

Just what the Eagles break into harmonic verse is not known to the general public.

“It’s kind of a team thing,” laughed Eagles coach RANDY DeWITT, without identifying the song.

The Eagles had reason to be filled with glee following its 27-14 victory, which spoiled Orange Glen’s homecoming.

Senior quarterback JUSTIN MONTGOMERY did not shred the Patriots defense with pinpoint passing, but made the most of 6 of 16 passes. Montgomery, a converted tight end, totaled 249 passing yards – an average of 41.5 per hookup.

When Montgomery did put the ball in his receivers’ hands, half of his connections resulted in touchdowns. He hit BRADLEY CARTER for scoring strikes of 58 and 75 yards, sandwiched around a 28-yard scoring toss to twin brother BRENDAN CARTER in a game Granite Hills (2-2) never trailed.

“Our receivers got open against their cover-3,” Montgomery said. “Since this is my first year playing quarterback, it’s been pretty challenging. But things are starting to mesh – I feel a lot more comfortable and it’s a lot more fun.”

“It was a waggle pass,” said Montgomery. “I saw Landon over the middle and I threw the ball to him.”

Turley, known more for his defensive play, turned his third reception of the season into a victory-clinching catch.

HAROLD HARRIS scored the touchdown from 1-yard out to deal Orange Glen its eighth straight loss over two seasons.

As thrilled as he was by the prospect of reaching the endzone, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Turley makes his living on the gridiron as a defensive lineman. It’s in that aspect that Turley notched a pair of sacks to run his total to a Granite Hills career record 29.

“I was on a regular blitz, went inside the tackle,” Turley said. “Eddie got a piece of the blocker and let me get by to finish off the quarterback.”

“Teachers, students, friends and seems like everybody I know kept asking me when I was going to get that sack record,” Turley said. “It feels good to get it done, so now I can focus on the rest of the season.”

Not to be overlooked was Granite Hills defensive lineman EVAN WILKINS, who matched Turley with 2 of Granite Hills’ 7 sacks.

“This is the best we’ve been able to run the ball all year,” said DeWitt of the Eagles, who have garnered 121 yards on 24 carries. “ Montgomery is coming along so well. We’re coming up on a bye week and it’s good to be where we are right now.”

Eagles defensive lineman Kenny Krajnak (94). Granite Hills linebacker Evan Wilkins (99). Granite Hills wide receiver Richie Beswick. Members of the Eagles defensive line. Granite Hills' Bradley Meyer (57) tackles the Orange Glen ball-carrier. Granite Hills placekicker Collin Cresap (3), and holder Mike Misensol (8).

(Photos by Travis Downs)

DeWitt and his Eagles (1-2) found themselves trailing the visiting Spartans Friday night (Sept. 14) 32-0 before they could find the endzone.

“Chula Vista is probably the best team we’ve played all season ­– I was impressed by them,” remarked DeWitt. “They were pretty big, had good speed and got to the outside on us real well. We came out really flat and not ready to play tonight.”

Granite Hills totaled 234 yards, but only one of its 16 first downs came in the opening half.

“We told them at halftime that they needed to come out and play with some more pride,” DeWitt said. “We had some good play in the second half – I feel we were able to play right with them in the last two quarters.”

Taimi Tutogi scored 3 touchdowns to lead the Spartans, who have outscored their first three opponents 119-30.

Granite Hills avoided a shutout with a pair of 2nd-half touchdowns. BRADLEY CARTER corralled a 17-yard pass from JUSTIN MONTGOMERY in the 3rd quarter, and HAROLD HARRIS scored on a 2-yard run.

Harris led a meager Eagles ground game with 51 yards on 15 carries. Montgomery had a little better luck through the air, completing 11 of 25 passes for 143 yards. BRENDAN CARTER was the Eagles’ top receiver with 4 catches for 49 yards.

Granite Hills’ JAKE CASTILLO notched his second interception in as many weeks.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-8-07) -- While opponents attempt to run the ball away from Granite Hills defensive end LANDON TURLEY, who is within reach of the school's career sacks record, other Eagles stepped forward to place a dent in the offense of visiting Westview.

Granite Hills linebacker Jake Castillo registers an interception with 6 seconds remaining. (Photo by Nina Hamilton)

"I just read the quarterback's eyes, and since I used to be a DB, I knew what to do," noted Castillo. "Our defense is incredible. We all have heart for the game, we all love the game, we grew up together as freshmen playing this game, so we knew we could bring it together."

"There was a lot of emotion going on our offense because we knew we should've scored," said Eagles quarterback JUSTIN MONTGOMERY. "But we have faith in our defense and they got the stop. If it wasn't for them, it would've been a lot closer."

However, a 97-yard march would prove too much of an obstacle, although the visitors came close.

Westview moved 75 yards, aided by a diving 3rd-down reception by Mitchel Bartolo, while wide receiver Jordan Walton then was interfered with on a 4th-down play. The controversial penalty kept the drive moving at the 4-minute mark.

However, Castillo answered with a sack on the ensuing snap, then he recovered a fumble two plays later.

"Defense just stepped it up today and Jake made a check of a couple of plays," noted Turley. "The one time Westview moved into the red zone, we wouldn't let them score (a touchdown)."

Westview would force a punt in the final minute, but with 62 yards separating the Wolverines from a touchdown and a PAT to tie or take the lead, Castillo stepped in front of a pass by Mike Hachadorian (7-21-2, 74 yards) to seal the victory.

"I have faith in our defense 100 percent," noted senior middle linebacker BRADLEY MEYER, who was credited with four tackles on Westview's long, late drive. "I know my boys could do it after growing up with these guys. Our intensity was the difference."

A 33-yard field goal by Granite Hills' COLLIN CRESAP was the lone scoring in an uneventful first half. However, the Eagles came out firing following the intermission, racing 82 yards in nine plays to grab a 10-0 lead.

Montgomery capped the drive with an 8-yard pass to BRADLEY CARTER, who recorded a game-high three receptions for 32 yards. Running back HAROLD HARRIS, who carried 16 times for 89 yards, aided the march with consecutive gallops of 12 and 29 yards, gaining first downs each time to advance deep into Wolverines territory.

"We’re pretty satisfied after having trouble running the ball up the middle," added Montgomery. "But we got it together in the second half."

Westview answered with a drive which reached the Eagles-16, but a third-down sack by Turley forced a field goal, as Bobby Wenzig converted a boot of 38 yards. With the sack, Turley now has 26 for his career, moving within two of equaling the school mark.

Although both defenses shined, the Granite Hills defenders did a bit better, to the frustration of its opponent.

“We were very excited to get a win against a North County team,” said Granite Hills coach RANDY DeWITT. “People disrespect East County teams, except for Helix, so we were glad to get this win.”

Granite Hills limited the Wolverines to just 166 yards in total offense, while the Eagles gained 232 yards, including 162 on the ground. Both teams are now 1-1.

Montgomery, a converted tight end, completed 7-of-15 passes for 70 yards.

The Carters, led by Bradley’s 107 yards on 14 carries, buzzed the Bucs for 156 yards between the two of them, while the LANDON TURLEY-led Granite Hills defense planted bruises on 9th-ranked Mission Bay’s high-scoring offense.

But missed opportunities – having a 20-yard field goal blocked with the score tied and 8:30 remaining in the game – caused the Eagles to leave Pacific Beach with a frustrating loss.

Earlier in the game the Eagles missed another golden scoring opportunity when a sloppy Mission Bay punt snap and a key tackle by Granite Hills’ FRANK CLAUS gave the East County unit a 1st-and-goal at the 5-yard line.

“We should have gone up 7-0 there right away,” said Eagles coach RANDY DeWITT. “What happened was our fullback, as he went to lead the block on our Iso-play, got a piece of the ball that knocked it out of the quarterback’s hand and our tailback never got it.”

Even in the final seconds – trailing by 7 points – the Eagles had a chance to pull this one out. But a 2nd-down-and-3 from the 22 resulted in an interception in the endzone by Mission Bay ’s Mario Arellano who pulled the ball away from a flock of Eagles with 11.4 seconds left.

“Everybody talks about our defense, and it’s time for our offense to catch up,” DeWitt said.

Granite Hills JUSTIN MONTGOMERY, who is making the transition from tight end to quarterback, did not post spectacular numbers, hitting just 7 of 21 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown. But it’s obvious that the 6-2, 210-pound senior has the potential to be successful.

© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (7-14-07) -- A large contingent of fans from Lakeside witnessed a microcosm of the El Capitan High football program's transition in a single game Friday (July 13), when several Vaqueros plus game MVP TREVOR KOLOCHESKI of West Hills powered the South to a 14-0 victory in the Alex Spanos All-Star Classic at Mesa College's Douglas Stadium.

El Capitan quarterback RYAN LINDLEY, who is contending for a roster spot at San Diego State, directed a pair of second-half scoring drives, as Kolocheski registered key receptions on both drives.

The first was a 65-yarder to set-up a 1-yard touchdown gallop by Lester Arnold of Point Loma in the third period, then Kolocheski was rewarded following a 19-yard gainer by running the ball in from the 1-yard line out of the right slot on a sweep to the left side with 2:55 remaining.

"You have to chalk it up to the defense, we got some points on the scoreboard by making them pay for being too aggressive on defense," said Lindley, who completed 12-of-18 passes for 169 yards. "I think you're starting to see a lot more parity in San Diego County football."

The Vaqueros had been a .500 program in recent years, then posted a perfect 10-0 regular season slate in 2006, ranking No. 1 in both major San Diego CIF polls.

"Look at what we did at El Capitan this past year -- we were unknown before that," added Lindley. "A lot more people are putting in the work and taking football a lot more seriously."

"Now you see a lot of kids going to big schools after putting in the work for four years. Todd (Doxey of Hoover) is going to Oregon, for example -- now you're getting your school paid (college scholarships) as people are realizing San Diego football -- not just North County -- is for real and they're taking notice."

Meanwhile, the South defense dominated the perennially powerful North squad. Following a stalemate in the first half which left the contest scoreless, the South defenders maintained control in the second half, limiting the North to a mere 55 yards in total offense in one of the most dominating performances in the Classic's 17-game series.

"Our spread offense was opening up and moving the ball downfield -- everything just clicked," said Kolocheski, who indicated he has yet to finalize his college choice for this fall. "In the first half, it was pretty even -- they stopped us, we stopped them -- but after that, we controlled the game."

"They bit on our fake and we were wide open."

The short passing game of the South featured a game-high five receptions for 44 yards by El Cap's BEN NOY, who will play for Hawai'i this season. Arnold was the leading ground-gainer with 56 yards on 10 carries, following the lead of East County linemen, including TOMMIE DRAHEIM and TOMMY TOWNS of El Cap, JUAN BALANOS of Mount Miguel, West Hills' MIKE ROBLAS and Steele Canyon's LUIS GUERRA.

Meanwhile, the defense yielded just two first downs in the first half, then capped the shutout by getting to North quarterbacks for five quarterback sacks, including a pair of backfield hits by Grossmont College bound defensive lineman Richard Moore. Other sacks were recorded by MIKE HOLZ (El Capitan), Bobby Erskine (St. Augustine) and UCLA bound Robert McCurdy (Otay Ranch).

"We were really psyched for that goose(-egg, as in a shutout)," noted Towns. "The first thing to come in our minds was don't let them in the end zone."

Added Draheim, "We were just trying to prove the South has the ability, even if we don't have the same resources as a North County team. And we were willing to prove it here."

"We had something to prove and we proved it on the field. We had a lot of guys from El Cap here and our work ethic really helped us to win tonight. It was a great game and I enjoyed playing in it."

Other locals participating included: SCOT ALLEN and KYLER DWYER (Christian), TAELOR WORRELL and CODY FURR (El Capitan), DERRICK PERRAULT, MATT COBB and JERAD RUIZ (Helix), and RICHARD WICK (Steele Canyon).