The football is loose, with Foothillers defender Conor Meredith making the recovery. (Photos by Chris Edwards) DOUBLE-CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

WEEK 2
Eagles' defense passes test

© 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.

The most notable was senior outside linebacker JAKE CASTILLO, who put on a Triple Crown performance in the final minutes of Friday's (Sept. 7) non-league contest. Castillo registered a sack, a fumble recovery and a game-clinching interception with six seconds remaining, backing Granite Hills to a 10-3 triumph over the Wolverines at Valley Stadium.

"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.

HELIX 14, LONE PEAK (Utah) 7 – When Highlanders coach DONNIE VAN HOOK walked off the field Friday night (Sept. 7), he looked dejected as if his team might have lost.

C’mon Donnie, these are the Highlanders. Even when they don’t play at full throttle they somehow find a way to win. History will show that.

“We almost got caught peeking around the corner (to top-ranked Carlsbad ),” Van Hook admitted. “We under-estimated this Utah team and it almost cost us. They popped us in the mouth.”

Nevertheless, the No. 2 ranked Highlanders found the escape hatch to push their record to 2-0.

A 47-yard pass from quarterback TY CULVER to LARRY GIST snapped a 7-7 tie with 2:42 left in the game, giving the Highlanders the nod.

That same combination of Gist and Culver hooked up for a 32-yard scoring pass in the first quarter.

For what happened in between, Van Hook has no explanation.

“This was a real wake-up call for us,” he said. “Our offensive line has got to get better so we can get our ground game going. We haven’t run the ball very well these first two games. We won’t get away with that with a team the caliber of Carlsbad.”

Defensively Helix put up a rigid front. The special teams were especially special.

Lone Peak (0-4) attempted three field goals, and two of them were blocked – one by TRELAN TAYLOR and another by LEVINE TOILOLO. The other attempt missed the mark.

Taylor had a big play game for the Highlanders. In addition to blocking the field goal on the final play of the first half, he also recorded his third interception of the season, which is the high-water mark for East County.

Toilolo was also a double threat. Regarded as one of the top recruits in the Class of 2009, Toilolo (6-7, 243) caught two passes for 24 yards. His best days are obviously still ahead.

Helix’ defense sacked the Knights’ quarterback six times. HOMER MAUGA was responsible for two of those QB muggings, while Toilolo, linebacker ANTHONY LARCEVAL, safety ANTHONY DIAZ and end JAMAR BURKE each had one.

Culver completed 10 of 21 passes for 141 yards and had 2 TD strikes to Gist.

Although Gist has had better days, this one wasn’t bad. He totaled 148 yards, the majority of it coming on 4 receptions for 86 yards. He also led the Highlanders in rushing with 8 carries for 46 yards.

“We’ve had pretty good success against them,” said Culver, whose Monarchs blanked the Lancers for the second straight season Friday night (Sept. 7) in Chula Vista. “We hope this is a stepping stone to better things ahead.”

Monte Vista, which finished 1-8-1 a year ago, opened this campaign on a high note when JOSH GOSSMEYER returned the opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown. BRANDON EGBERT then kicked the first of 4 PATs.

“When you start the season by running the first kickoff back for a touchdown, it bodes pretty well for the rest of that game and hopefully carries over beyond that,” Culver said.

Gossmeyer would prove his versatility later in the game as he pulled down a 3-yard scoring pass from sophomore quarterback MAURICE PAYNE, giving Monte Vista a 21-0 halftime lead.

“Our kids are more tuned in this year, more united,” said Culver.

While Monte Vista’s defense, led by inside linebacker TRACY SHIELDS and outside linebacker Gossmeyer, was smothering the Hilltop offense, the Monarchs offense kept the ball primarily on the ground to run the clock.

LEVI MILLER was the workhorse, rushing for 71 yards on 13 carries. He scored on runs of 3 and 1 yards.

“Levi is a solid back,” Culver said. “When he and NICK WILLIAMS are at full strength next week, I’d like to think we’ll have a pretty solid running game. Nick suffered an injury in our scrimmage so we had to use him sparingly against Hilltop.”

In spite of his youth, Payne performed like a veteran, completing 7 of 9 passes for 71 yards while rushing for 65 yards on 8 carries.

CHRISTIAN 42, SANTANA 21 – LAWRENCE WALKER rushed for 147 yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 carries Friday night (Sept. 7) to carry Christian to an easy victory over visiting Santana in a game played at Valhalla.

The Patriots (2-0) took control in rapid fashion, posting a 21-0 lead late in the 2nd quarter.

“I don’t know why people think that we perceive ourselves as better than anybody else,” Christian coach MATT OLIVER said. “We certainly don’t have a superiority complex. We like our team and we respect our opponents. It’s that simple.”

Christian quarterback ERICK ALLEN completed 70 percent of his 10 passes for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns. One of those scores went to EMMANUEL WALKER, and the other ­- a 41-yard strike ­– to SAM HERNANDEZ.

“We played well, made some big plays,” Oliver said. “But that Santana quarterback is a very good player.”

Santana junior JAMES NEEDY is that quarterback in charge of the Sultans offense. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Needy completed 19 of 48 passes for 207 yards. Ironically though, Needy scored all three of Santana’s touchdowns on short rushing plays while accumulating 41 yards in 9 carries.

“We had two choices as a defense,” Oliver said. “Rather than bring a lot of pressure we decided to drop seven guys into (pass) coverage.”

Christian can do that, knowing that 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior linebacker PAT KELLY is holding down the middle.

“He was unbelievable out there,” Oliver said of Kelly, who had 2 sacks and 10 tackles. “He’s the best guy I’ve ever coached since I’ve been here (now in his 8th year as head coach).”

Kelly had to share the defensive limelight with junior corner CALEB FARREL, who intercepted two passes, returning one for a 21-yard touchdown. Farrel returned his second pick 88 yards but was tackled a yard short of the endzone, according to the officials.

“I thought we were more physical, thought we out-hit them,” Oliver said. “That’s what we ask of our kids and that’s what we’ve gotten so far.”

Needy was not Santana’s only standout.

Senior TYLER AUBREY caught 10 passes for 118 yards and totaled 174 all-purpose yards. KYLE ROMERO caught 5 passes for 75 yards for the Sultans (0-2).

STEELE CANYON 20, WEST HILLS 10 – Friday’s (Sept. 7) Grossmont Conference intra-league battle between visiting Steele Canyon and host West Hills was not unlike a sumo wrestling match.

The two teams relied on might rather than finesse to decide this bout, which was determined when Cougars running back JAMIE DALE took over in the 2nd half.

While the Cougars (1-1) seemed bent on developing their passing game, they found themselves trailing 10-7 at the half. Dale contributed only 29 yards on 8 carries during the first two quarters.

“Jamie gave an inspirational talk at halftime, challenging our senior to not let West Hills beat us for a third straight time,” Steele Canyon coach RON BOEHMKE said.

Turns out Dale put his money where his mouth was when he scored on a 68-yard run on Steele Canyon ’s first play of the 2nd half.

“He got some good blocking in there on that lead and really popped one,” Boehmke said.

Paving the way on Dale’s TD dash were RORY ZAVARID and JACKSON REEVES and fullback SCOTT PERLIN.

“Those guys knocked the nose guard back and DAN WILLIAMS cleaned up,” Boehmke noted.

Dale finished with 186 yards rushing on 16 carries and caught 2 passes for 47 yards, including a victory-clinching 16-yard pass from quarterback NICK STATHAS with just over three minutes to play.

Stathas completed 6 of 13 passes for 78 yards. He also scored a touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak.

Steele Canyon’s final touchdown surge followed a major defensive stand against the Wolf Pack (1-1).

With victory still within range, the Pack’s DAVID HERNANDEZ plunged into the line on a 4th-and-one. He was unable to reach the line of scrimmage as Steele Canyon ’s BEN KAUFFMAN, MILES MINNICH, JOSIAH SMITH and Zavarid pushed him back with 5:52 remaining.

“That was a huge play,” Boehmke said. More accurately, pivotal.

From there the Cougars stormed 79 yards for their victory-clenching score. The key play was a 52-yard run by Dale.

For West Hills quarterback CHRIS MISENSOL completed 13 of 24 passes for 130 yards, including a 6-yard scoring strike with 5 seconds left in the first half that gave the Pack a 10-7 advantage.

Wolf Pack senior ERIC FIEGE, who began last season as the West Hills quarterback, returned to his more familiar slotback position. Fiege caught 8 passes for 80 yards and accumulated 192 all-purpose yards.

A standout of defense for the Wolf Pack was JONATHAN DARBY, who accounted for one of West Hills’ 3 interceptions and posted a game-high 9 tackles. JUSTIN STANPHIL and HAYDEN KALFELL also had interceptions for the Pack.

Simms caught a 41-yard scoring strike from CHARLIE PIRO in the opening quarter, scored on a 1-yard sweep in the 2nd period, and then delivered a 20-yard game-winning scoring pass to BRYAN HAAR in the 3rd quarter, which locked up Grossmont’s second win in as many starts.

“I scrambled right and Bryan came across left,” said Simms. “He was our backside receiver on that play, and I hit him in the middle.”

Haar hauled in a career-high 6 passes for 69 yards.

Simms, who has a baseball scholarship to the University of Pacific, played most of the 2nd half at quarterback.

“I like playing quarterback,” added Simms, who completed 3 of 5 passes for 65 yards. Simms also caught 2 passes for 47 yards and rushed 8 times for 42 yards.

Piro completed 11 of 21 passes for 155 yards against Montgomery.

“The best thing about our offense this year is it’s diversified – lots of people contribute,” said Piro, a 3-year starter. “We have more of a spread attack and that’s something I like. I think this Grossmont team is as good as I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”

NICK FLOYD caught 3 passes for 48 yards and CONOR MEREDITH pulled down 2 for 25 yards.

Once again KHALID WATERS was Grossmont’s top rusher, with 85 yards on 19 carries. He also caught one pass for 14 yards.

WILL KEYS anchored the Grossmont defense with 16 tackles and a blocked kick. DOMONIQUE BRADLEY made 12 stops, while ERIC SPRINGE chipped in with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. MICHAEL BARLETT was in on 9 tackles, and ANDRES CHAVARIN had 8 tackles and a sack. Meredith also recovered a fumble.

The game would have been even more lop-sided in Grossmont’s favor if two touchdowns not been wiped out by penalties.

MOUNT MIGUEL 48, CASTLE PARK 7 (Revised) – There are those coaches in the Grossmont South League that believe Mount Miguel coach TOM KARLO avoided bigger preseason challenges in favor of certain victories.

Karlo scoffed at the idea, noting that the games were scheduled against teams that have been perennial powers in the past. Regardless, Karlo has to be happy that his Matadors have won their first two games by a composite score of 98-16.

The Matadors churned out 250 total yards and led 42-0 in the first half against one of the weakest Castle Park teams in recent memories. Only a running clock in the 2nd half kept the results from being even more lop-sided.

Matadors quarterback AARON BRYANT fired 4 touchdown passes ­– two of them going to JUDGE EVANS (3, 6 yards) and one each to TRAVON CAPLES (7 yards) and AHMAD NUNLEY (39 yards). JOE GAXIOLA pitched a 5th scoring strike – a 32-yard bullet to Caples – as the Matadors mauled the Trojans (0-2).

“This was probably the best first half of football that we’ve played in the three years that I’ve been here,” said Karlo.

Bryant completed 9 of 11 passes for 120 yards and rushed for 66 yards on 5 carries.

“Our receivers ran perfect routes,” Bryant said.

Mount Miguel’s defense lent a helping hand. A blocked punt by SAMATRE JONES was picked up and returned 24 yards by ARTHUR HOBBS for a touchdown.

Karlo, a standout quarterback at Grossmont College in the middle-90s, is running the Griffins’ offense with talented players able to execute the plan.

“I think this could be our year,” Karlo said.

Valhalla running back Klay Shapiro (2) receives a block from lineman Zachary Romero (top), while Pete Thomas tries running around the right side against Chula Vista, aided by a Nino Mallory block. (Photos by Mark Gonzales)

Coming off a big win against Castle Park last week, the Spartans expected to roll through Valhalla's defense. The El Cajon lads had other ideas, forcing Chula Vista to punt on its first series of the game. Starting from its 16 yard line, Valhalla stunned the home crowd when sophomore quarterback PETE THOMAS hit wide receiver SPENCER SUTHERLINE with a 42 yard bomb to the Spartans 24 yard line.

On the next play, Thomas lumbered 7 yards to the 17 yard line, after NINO MALLORY sprung him with a crushing block. Mallory then darted 9 yards to the 8 yard line, setting up a 1st and goal. ZACK ROMERO ran around the right side for 5 more yards to the 3. Unable to get into the endzone, however, the Norsemen settled for a 27 yard Thomas field goal for a quick 3-0 lead, with 4:55 left in the initial stanza.

On their next possession, the Spartans were able to put together a sustained drive, aided by two Valhalla penalties, and grabbed a 7-3 lead when Matthew Stacy sneaked across the goal line from one yard out, with only 27 second left in the 1st quarter.

Late in the second quarter, Chula Vista kicked a 28 yard field goal to extend its lead to 10-3. Valhalla didn't waste any time when it got the ball back. On 1st down, Thomas hooked up with BRANDON GIANDONI for a 43 yard pass play to the Spartans 22 yard line. Thomas then showed why this team has potential: he threw a strike to Romero for 15 yards and, on the next play, hit Sutherline with an 18 yard completion for a touchdown, with only 39 seconds remaining in the first half. A Chula Vista penalty allowed the Norsemen to go for the two point conversion, with Thomas sneaking across the goal line, giving Valhalla a 11-10 lead at intermission.

Mid-way through the 3rd quarter, Chula Vista re-took the lead when it got great field position after a bad snap resulted in a very short Valhalla punt, to the Norsemen 48 yard line. It took the home team only 5 plays to score, even though the Spartans only gained 30 yards on the drive.

Remember that shot-up foot? Chula Vista was the beneficiary of two Valhalla personal fouls on one play, a gift of 22 yards to Chula Vista.

Trailing 17-11, Valhalla put together a 12 play, 75 yard drive that culminated in a one yard TD run by junior ALEX JOHNSON. After Thomas' PAT kick, Valhalla reclaimed the lead, 18-17.

In the 4th quarter, the big, jumbo-sized Chula Vista offensive line wore down the Norsemen defense, which seemed to spend most of the evening on the field. Valhalla linebacker TANNER HITT led all defenders with 14 tackles, followed by fellow linebacker KELLEN WILEY with 12 (Wiley had 17 tackles against Brawley last week), and SHANE MALLORY, who contributed 10 tackles to the cause.

Thomas was 10-19-1 for 172 yards. On the ground, Valhalla was 22-109 yards, with sophomore TRAIVONNE BROWN leading the way with 61 yards in 8 carries. Now, about those 117 penalty yards. . .

By that time the Bulldogs had built a 21-0 lead and were soon to extend their advantage to 28-0 in the second quarter.

Talk about a slap in the face… the Vaqueros suffered only their second loss in 14 starts over the past two seasons.

Ramona (2-0) played demolition derby with the Vaqueros (1-1). The Bulldogs led 35-7 midway through the 3rd quarter and there was no doubt as to the outcome after that.

Although the Vaqueros’ offensive line held a size advantage over the Bulldogs defenders, El Capitan quarterback TANNER RUST was sacked seven times.

Despite the constant pressure, Rust was able to complete 15 of 26 passes for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Vaqueros junior signal caller did a masterful job directing an 8-play, 80-yard scoring march in the 2nd quarter for El Capitan ’s first tally. Rust scored on a 1-yard dive and then kicked the extra point, making it 28-7 at the time.

TILA CASE was Rust’s favorite target, catching 7 balls for 78 yards, including a 22-yard scoring strike in the 4th quarter. Case has made 15 receptions in two weeks, making him the No. 2 receiver in East County.

Senior running back BEN WILKINS averaged more than 7 yards per carry for the Vaqueros. The problem here was Wilkins only ran the ball six times.

The game was won in the trenches where Ramona used its speed to dominant the Vaqueros size.

SAN YSIDRO 28, EL CAJON VALLEY 10 (Revised 9-9-07) – KEVIN KELLY needs to let his El Cajon Valley teammates in on his secret. A 3-year starter, Kelly has accounted for all 19 points produced by the Braves the first two weeks of this, his senior season.

And Kelly has done it with versatility. He scored two touchdowns, booted two field goals and kicked one extra point. El Cajon Valley’s problem is no one else has figured out the Kelly formula.

El Cajon Valley (0-2) jumped out to a 10-0 first quarter lead in Friday night’s (Sept. 7) game at San Ysidro (1-1). ISAAC SOLIZ fired an 11-yard TD pass to Kelly, who then kicked the extra point and moments later booted a 25-yard field goal.

“We were doing everything pretty much at will on both ends of the ball in the first quarter,” said Braves coach DANNY GOODRICH. “Then we had some turnovers and a lot of mental mistakes. We had a lot of basic things that we seemed to regress on. We’ll be working on those in practice.”

Another factor that continues to haunt the Braves is a lack of depth. That malady has shown in the latter stages of each of the Braves’ first two games this season.

“We’ve had some injuries, and that’s caused us to move people around to positions that they’re not used to playing,” Goodrich said.

El Cajon Valley totaled only 118 offensive yards in 56 plays.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 23, BORREGO SPRINGS 8 – For the second straight outing, Knights quarterback GARRET CAMPBELL accounted for all of the team's scoring by either rushing, passing or kicking for points, pacing undefeated Foothills (2-0) past the visiting Rams in its home opener at Junior Seau Field.

Included was an 87-yard kickoff return by Campbell to open the second half, expanding the Knights' lead to 16-0. Campbell also tossed scoring passes of 16 and 46 to MATTISON RUNDLETT, and he opened the game's scoring by kicking a 38-yard field goal.

For the contest, Campbell rushed seven times for 99 yards, including a 30-yard burst, while JOHN MAGANA carried the ball 17 times for 71 yards to keep the Rams offense off the field.

The lone Borrego (0-1) touchdown came moments following Campbell 's kickoff return, as Alex Garcia raced untouched for an 81-yard rushing score, then converted a 2-point PAT run.

Otherwise, the Rams passing attack was stymied, courtesy of 10 sacks by the Knights, including were three sacks by TRAVIS WOLFE, part of his game-high total of 11 tackles. CHRIS CLARK, CALEB GARDNER and Rundlett (10 tackles) added two sacks each.

O-line noted as difference makers

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-6-07) -- No matter how strong a quarterback's arm, the speed of a wide receiver to gain separation, or the ability of a running back to rush between the tackles, it's usually the successful coordination among the linemen which determines the greatest of a team's offense.

Several East County ballclubs believe improvement among its players in the pits may spell the difference to finish in the upper half of the standings.

One of those teams on the upswing is Mount Miguel, which seeks its first 2-0 start since 2003 when the Matadors join four other East County schools by meeting an opponent from the South Bay Friday (Sept. 7). Mount Miguel will host Castle Park, while the remaining quartet will play on the road.

"The focus for us is consistency," said Matadors coach TOM KARLO. "In the two years I've been here, we've never actually put together a 3-or 4-game win streak."

"Last year, we won one, lost one, won one, lost one -- we got into a bad habit of going up-and-down, so this year we have to develop that consistency."

"Last week, they combined for over 18 pancakes," Karlo noted following videotape review of last week's 50-9 triumph over Monte Vista Christian. "We had 405 yards in offense, 200 of it rushing without our best player, (running back) ELLIOT TAYLOR, who is still injured."

Running behind the Solos, the Matadors rushed for five touchdowns, including two scores and 90 yards from DERALL HUNTER, a sophomore filling in for Taylor.

"Those guys in the middle had a lot to do with it," added Karlo. "They are two guys to watch as we run the ball more."

Meanwhile, in anticipation of Taylor 's return to full-time status in October, Mount Miguel will face a running team in Castle Park, which operates out of the Wing T (Valhalla 's old offensive formation).

"We lost five games by 28 total points last season, but we have a lot of returning players in key positions -- defensive backs, linemen, quarterback and running back -- and these kids have bought into the fact that we can be a legitimate contender in Division III," added the coach. "Thus, we can eliminate a lot of those mistakes and penalties that cost us games."

The Matadors are clearly a program on the rise; Castle Park's Trojans are starting from square as evident of last week's 47-0 thumping at the hands of Chula Vista. There's no reason the same can't be achieved by. . . Mount Miguel, 47-0.

To expect their win total to expand, the Monarchs also seek assistance from a developing set of offensive linemen.

"The O-line has stepped it up farther than we expected them to at this point," said Monte Vista offensive line coach STEELE WILDE. "They're a group who have been working really well together."

Wilde noted five seniors anchor the O-line.

"We try to win every game -- every game is important," he added. "We have confidence in our self and our players, and they're looking to win."

South Bay League teams managed just a single victory over the opening weekend, and that was Olympian High School 's first-ever game; the Eagles nipped rebuilding Mountain Empire, 20-18. Thus, the Monarchs should "relish" their trip to the South Bay . . . Monte Vista, 20-13.

Lone Peak (Utah) at Helix -- It'll be the Highlanders against a team from Highland when the 2nd-ranked Scotties entertain a visiting squad from Utah for the second straight season.

The Class 5A Knights of Lone Peak, located midway between Salt Lake City and Provo, utilized a strong defense (9.8 points allowed/contest) to post a 10-2 record and advance to the state quarterfinals in 2006. However, the Knights were decimated by graduation, with a rebuilding ballclub managing to post just 18 points in three losses this season.

Helix utilized a victory over Logan (Utah) last season to ignite an 11-game (on-field) winning streak. No incentive is needed this season, but with a look-ahead showdown with No. 1-ranked Carlsbad on the horizon (and on television) next week, focus may be a factor.

It may not be the blowout locals expect, yet it should still be a long bus ride back to the Wasatch Range of the Beehive state. Say, "Good Knight, now," . . . Helix, 34-7.

Santana vs. Christian, at Valhalla – Defending Division V San Diego CIF champion Christian hasn’t lost in its previous five starts (4-0-1) dating back to last year and the Patriots don’t expect to stumble against offensive-minded Santana on the Valhalla rug Friday night.

No question Christian believes itself to be a superior squad to Santana, which perceives the Patriots as being overconfident. Wow! This one has the makings of a barn-burner.

Should the Patriots perhaps take a more humble approach against a Santana side which has been extremely quiet on gaining revenge from last season's narrow 31-29 defeat at Santee Community Stadium?

Both teams prepared in opposite fashion. The Sultans took on a Division I foe in Patrick Henry, with the lead see-sawing all contest until Santana finally fell in heartbreak fashion in the final six seconds. Meanwhile, Christian played, well, let's just say it was no better than a scrimmage in a 55-0 blowout win.

If Santana gets its linebacking corps healthy, this could be the East County Sports.com Upset Special of the Week. . . Santana, 41-40.

Steele Canyon at West Hills -- Here is a contest which could do more psychological harm to the loser between sides which are attempting to turnaround the notion that they took a half-step backwards over the off-season.

The Cougars' offense was spotty in only reaching the end zone once against Cathedral, while West Hills couldn't help but score against a weak side from Maui . Throw in the effects of travel.

These schools have divided four previous matchups, and it may be that close again Friday.

It may be the Steele Canyon ground game which controls the contest. Winning has a funny way of correcting a lot of little problems, so give the advantage to. . . Steele Canyon, 21-14.

Westview at Granite Hills -- The Wolverines turned the ball over five times on interceptions, yet were still able to upend Orange Glen 25-14 in a battle of first-year coaches in last week's opener.

Granite Hills narrowly missed a chance to upset a Mission Bay team (falling 21-14) which is ranked among the top 10 teams in the section. So if the Eagles can avoid allowing big plays in their home opener, and LANDON TURLEY can add to his record sack total which currently stands at 25, look for. . . Granite Hills, 27-14.

El Capitan at Ramona -- Which is a tougher roadtrip: Going to Hawai'i, or a moseying up the 67 Highway to meet the Bulldogs?

Well, first of all, you can’t snorkel anywhere close to Highway 67.

Mt. Carmel learned firsthand that funny things happen on top of the mountain, as Ramona rallied for 21 points in the fourth quarter for a 23-22 victory. However, the Bulldogs allowed a long kickoff return for a touchdown and two other long punt returns, while also missing a chip-shot field goal.

The Vaqueros' special teams units can step in and take the notice away from its potent offense. And with a bigger defensive line to control Ramona's offense. . . El Capitan, 33-14.

El Cajon Valley at San Ysidro -- The Braves' setback to Sweetwater was stunning, but they can take solace in knowing the Red Devils are vastly improved than previous editions of the team.

The same can't be said for San Ysidro's Cougars, who were downright awful in the SDCIF Kickoff Classic against Christian, then suffered a 46-0 pasting from a San Marcos squad which snapped the Knights' 22-game losing streak over three seasons. Ouch.

Firm in realizing Sweetwater isn't as bad as many predicted, neither are the Braves... El Cajon Valley, 19-6.

Grossmont at Montgomery -- A pair of teams which feature strong defenses while manufacturing some sort of scoring, the Foothillers broke the mold by exploding for 39 points last week.

Meanwhile, the Aztecs only managed a single long pass play for a score and a safety by the defense in a 14-9 setback to University City . The more consistent offense belongs to . . . Grossmont, 21-7.

Valhalla at Chula Vista -- The revamped Norsemen showed they could be heard from, despite a narrow loss in Brawley. Chula Vista believes it found a new quarterback, but whipping lowly Castle Park doesn't prove anything -- yet.

The difference may be an established Spartans running game. It will be up to the Valhalla defense to out-muscle Chula Vista 's bigger offensive line. A low scoring game goes to hosts, but with several new wrinkles constantly being added to the Norsemen passing attack -- something the boys from Chula may not be used to -- the decision may end in an upset for . . . Valhalla, 34-28.

Borrego Springs vs. Foothills Christian, Junior Seau Field -- The 11 smallest schools in the San Diego Section have formed two new leagues, with Foothills Christian playing in the new Southern League for schools with newer programs, while the established programs are participating in the Citrus League.

The stereotype of a team making the most improvement between its first and second ballgames could assist the Knights, which opened with an impressive victory, while the Rams will partake in its opener. If experience is the difference, take. . . Foothills Christian, 41-12.