WEEK TWELVE — CIF Playoffs, FIrst Round

Down-Hillers running

The Grossmont Foothillers captured their first CIF playoff victory in four seasons, upending the host Bonita Vista Barons, 23-21, at Southwestern College's Devore Stadium. (Photo by Tori Mills — MORE PHOTOS BELOW)

	Escape from The Valley, Part III Cougars again victorious in El Centro © East County Sports.com EL CENTRO (11-22-08) — Weather in the Imperial Valley is rather nice around the Thanksgiving holiday. The Steele Canyon Cougars have enjoyed three successful visits over the last six years to the land of sand and cactus, although none of them by choice. Nobody in the Steele Canyon huddle is complaining, however. The Cougars knocked out Imperial Valley League champion Central Union (9-2) in Friday’s (Nov. 21) opening round of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs, 33-20. The victory lifts Steele Canyon’s postseason record against the IVL to 3-0 and qualifies the Cougars (6-5) against No. 2 seed Ramona (8-1-1) next weekend in North County. Steele Canyon's Kyle Richards (ECS file photo) It was suggested that maybe Steele Canyon coach RON BOEHMKE should petition the powers-that-be to permit the Cougars to become a member of the IVL. Tongue-in-cheek, to be sure, because the IVL teams certainly don’t want to see the Cougars more than once a year. “Our kids really get jacked up when they play down there,” Boehmke said. “It’s a great football atmosphere – big crowd, booming band and all around good fans.” Steele Canyon took command from the outset, building a 17-6 halftime lead and extending that advantage to 24-6 midway through the 3rd quarter. The defense made major contributions during that surge. JASON COFIELD, who blocked a 1st quarter field goal, intercepted a pass in the 3rd period and returned it 51 yards where JAKE WRAGG eventually scored on a 7-yard run. That turn of events staked Steele Canyon to a 17-point lead. Steele Canyon’s defense continued to come up with key plays as MICHAEL WINTER intercepted a pass in the endzone to help the Cougars protect a 30-14 lead with 4 minutes remaining. Earlier in the contest JOSH HARRIS recovered a fumble to set-up another Steele Canyon score. “We scored off of all three of their turnovers,” Boehmke said. “We’re playing our best football right now but we haven’t peaked yet – we’re still climbing.” ALEX PERLIN enjoyed another big night, rushing for 122 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. Wragg added 69 yards on 9 rushes, while KYLE RICHARDS finished with 27 yards on 6 carries. For one of the few times this year the Cougars also displayed a solid passing game. Sophomore BRAD BOEHMKE completed 10 of 17 passes for 118 yards, including touchdown passes of 8 yards to JASON TURESKY, and 14 yards to JEBARI ROBINSON. “Brad had his best game of the year,” said his coach and father. “He has really matured at quarterback as the season has gone on. And Wragg had some key runs for us.” Central could not get its ground game off the floor until it was too late. The Spartans’ leading rusher on the season, Ricky Smith, produced only one yard on five rushes in the 1st half. MATTHEW BRUDER kicked field goals of 27 and 24 yards, raising his season total to six for Steele Canyon. “We played well in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams,” said coach Boehmke. “Our young players are playing real well at the right time.”
	Grossmont's Brett Etherton extends for the reception vs. Bonita Vista. (Photo by Tori Mills)

Foothillers shock Bonita Vista, 23-21
Gain match-up with ancient rival Helix

To set up the meeting with the Highlanders, Grossmont (5-6) pulled off a mild upset in Friday’s (Nov. 21) first round of the playoffs as they edged Bonita Vista, 23-21, in a game played at Southwestern College's Devore Stadium.

But first let the Foothillers celebrate this thrilling elimination of Bonita Vista (6-5).

“I think the last time we won a playoff game I was watching in the stands as an 8th grader,” said Grossmont senior linebacker CONOR MEREDITH.

Unheralded VALENTINO HODGSON, a 6-foot-2, 147-pound senior, saved the Foothillers the agony of a potential overtime when he intercepted the Barons’ bid to tie the game on a 2-point conversion pass with 1:38 remaining.

“I called time out before they went for the conversion to talk to my defense,” Grossmont coach RON MURPHY said. “I told Hodgson that in situations like this you have to watch out for the fullback coming out in the flat. I told Tino he needed to widen out, and that’s what he did. When their fullback trickled out into the flat, Tino was right there to jump in front of him to make the interception.”

Said Hodgson, “Once I caught the ball, I didn’t know whether I should run with it or what.”

He didn’t have to because the play was dead. Hodgson, who earlier blocked a Bonita Vista PAT kick, credited defensive back DESEAN WATERS for helping execute both plays.

“On the 2-point pass Waters crashed down on his man, pushing his guy into my guy,” Hodgson said. “Once they got tangled up it was easy for me to step up and make the pick.”

Murphy is amazed that Hodgson is so dominant despite his lanky size.

“When I first took over the team I watched all of the game films from last year,” Murphy said. “All I saw this tall skinny guy doing was playing on the kickoff team because Grossmont had so many talented seniors. I was hoping we could get more out of Hodgson this year, and we have. He’s making plays all over the field for us.”

Trailing 15-10 after three periods against Bonita Vista, the Foothillers came alive. TYLER MUTTER fired a 23-yard touchdown pass to JOHN SHARPE in the opening seconds of the final period, giving Grossmont a 16-15 edge. Mutter finished by hitting 14 of 27 passes for 174 yards.

The Foothillers inflated their lead to 23-15 with 5 minutes remaining. DOMINIQUE CHILDRESS supplied a key 50-yard run – his longest of the season – to setup a 1-yard scoring plunge by DOMINIQUE BRADLEY. Bradley earlier scored on a 2-yard run.

Things were looking good at that point, but Bonita Vista wasn’t ready to cash in its chips. The Barons put together an 8-play, 78-yard drive that concluded with a reverse handoff and 35-yard pass from Andrew Grimes to Greg McHee. But that would be as close as the Barons would get, thanks to Hodgson.

Bonita Vista’s ensuing onside kick went awry when the Foothillers’ BRETT ETHERTON (5 catches, 62 yards) made the recovery for Grossmont. From there the Foothillers ran out the clock and started thinking about Helix.

Murphy was elated by his team’s passion, a phase of the game that Grossmont has been inconsistent at best in the previous 10 games. Injuries to key players also appeared to damage the Foothillers’ chances to play for another week. Seven junior varsity players and one freshman were promoted to the varsity prior to the Bonita Vista game.

“All eight of them played, most on special teams,” said Murphy, who singled out linebacker MICHAEL TUCKER.

Tucker, who had not even played one varsity snap, found himself in the starting lineup in the first round of the playoffs. He came through with 7 tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries.

“I’m so pleased with all of the kids we brought up,” Murphy said. “We’re excited to be practicing on Thanksgiving Day – that’s always a good sign to a football team. That means we’ve already won one playoff game.”

While the Foothillers are looking forward to their holiday feast, they haven’t lost site of their future.

“I know people probably don’t give us a chance against Helix,” said Meredith, “but they need to realize the last two games have been really close.”

Indeed. Helix eliminated Grossmont 23-17 in the 2004 SDCIF semifinals on a rainy night in double overtime. Two years later, the Scotties posted a 20-16 win.

“We welcome the challenge,” Meredith said. “If we want respect we have to beat the best. Now we have that opportunity.

EL CAPITAN (8-3) 41, BRAWLEY (5-6) 22 – Success in the postseason has not been El Capitan’s forte this decade.

The Grossmont North League champion Vaqueros (8-3) didn’t set any offensive records in Friday’s (Nov. 21) opening round of the San Diego CIF Division III playoffs. They did, however, capitalize on several opportunities presented them by the visiting Brawley Wildcats to notch their second win in their last eight playoff engagements.

This was not a game where El Capitan put together long, ball control, scoring marches. It was more like Brawley mistakes followed by El Capitan quick strikes.

The Vaqueros needed only seven first downs to register 5 touchdowns, which secured a 35-14 cushion in the third quarter. It was the result of turnovers, field position and long plays.

Just three plays into the game the Vaqueros took the lead when TANNER RUST fired a 40-yard scoring strike in front of the left pylon to PHILLIP COOK. It was the first of two times the Rust-to-Cook combination would click.

El Capitan running back Matt Burkett avoids Brawley defender J.C. Cota in a 41-22 triumph. (Photo by Susan Cooper Photography)

In the second half, Rust delivered scoring passes of 3 and 9 yards to JON MOLZEN. Sandwiched in between those scoring aerials was a 3-yard run by Cook to chalk up another TD.

Rust was an economical passer on this night, completing half of his 18 passes for 144 yards and 4 touchdowns.

“We’re clicking pretty good,” Rust said. “We made some mistakes. But we’ll pick that up on film and fix them.”

El Capitan’s running game was so-so. MATT BURKETT led the way with 36 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown run that gave the Vaqueros a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. TYLER MASON added 29 yards on 4 carries for the Vaqueros, who executed only 42 plays on the evening for a total of 238 yards.

On the flip side Brawley (5-6), which finished under .500 for the first time in 14 years, reeled off 64 plays for 299 yards.

“Our kids played hard,” said El Capitan defensive coordinator JUDD HULBERT. “That’s a hard offense to figure out. That sophomore quarterback (Donald Wharton) played well. He fakes really well. But our kids were up for the challenge and came through.”

Junior linebacker ALLEN THOMAS blocked a punt that setup El Capitan ’s first score. Following the block JAMES GALLIVAN scooped up the rolling pigskin and galloped 23 yards closer to the Brawley goal line.

That was just the beginning of the misfires for the Wildcats, who also had two errant punt snaps set up El Capitan ’s scoring chances.

Posting wins in the opening rounds is traditionally difficult but the Vaqueros cleared that hurdle and now look forward to a duel against No. 4 seed St. Augustine (6-4) in next Friday’s (Nov. 28) quarterfinals at Southwestern College.

Two years ago the Saints spoiled El Capitan’s bid for a perfect season with a 51-43 victory in the playoffs.

“We’re looking for revenge for that,” Cook said. “That’s what we’re playing for now.”

PATRICK HENRY (7-4) 28, WEST HILLS (4-7) 20 – It came down to lack of manpower for the upset-minded Wolf Pack in Friday’s (Nov. 21) opening round of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs at Patrick Henry.

The depleted Wolf Pack, who opened the season with a 24-12 loss to the Patriots, provided a much stiffer challenge in the rematch.

“At the end we just ran out of guys,” West Hills coach CASEY ASH said. “Until the last couple of games injuries hadn’t hurt us, but we had defensive linemen playing at linebacker and linebackers in the secondary."

“We were a regular M.A.S.H. unit.”

Credit Ash for filling the voids with quality personnel.

Nevertheless, Patrick Henry (7-4), led by the three touchdowns and 171 yards rushing by William Dabbert, was too much to overcome for the Wolf Pack, which finished the season at 4-7.

“I thought we played a lot better than the first time we met them,” Ash said. “But then they were a lot stronger than the first time too.”

West Hills, spearheaded by the 157 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 carries by CHRISTIAN FONSECA, found itself locked up in a 14-14 tie just 6 seconds into the 4th quarter.

“If ever there was a guy with deceptive speed it’s got to be Fonseca,” said Ash.

Fonseca gave the Wolf Pack a 7-0 lead on a 56-yard run in the 1st quarter. He added a 7-yard scoring dash to make it 14-14 in the 4th period.

Ash has made it clear that he believes – and for good reason – that Fonseca is the No. 1 running back in the Grossmont North League.

The short-handed Pack refused to fold after Dabbert scored on runs of 5 and 21 yards to put the Patriots in front 28-14.

Obviously tired, the Pack kept pushing. A 25-yard run by ALAN PARKS and a 10-yard scramble by CHASE SENTER gave West Hills a first down at the Patrick Henry-26 with 3 minutes to play. Fonseca followed with runs of 5 and 13 yards, giving the Pack a first down at the 8-yard line.

Quarterback JOE ROBERTS, who was under siege most of the night, then lofted an 8-yard scoring pass to Senter to cut the Henry advantage to 8 points.

A poor snap denied the Pack a kicking opportunity on the PAT attempt, which left West Hills hoping for a possible chance to force overtime.

A desperation onside kick backfired for the Pack and the Patriots were able to run out the clock from there.

“It’s been a tumultuous year for us,” said Ash. “But the guys that we had pulled together and fought and scratched our way into the playoffs.”

One of the unsung heroes for the Pack was MICHAEL LOBAUGH, an offensive lineman by trade who doubled as a middle linebacker and posted a game-high 17 tackles in the playoff loss to Patrick Henry.

Parks was another double threat for the Wolf Pack. On the offensive side he rushed for 64 yards on 6 carries. He also blocked a field goal.

Versatile LEVI JACOB did not compile huge numbers, but was a major contributor for the Pack. He made an interception that setup West Hills’ first touchdown, and made 7 tackles as a free safety. In addition he caught 2 passes for 39 yards, rushed for 19 yards and returned a kickoff for 11 yards.

“I’m not pleased how we finished, but I have to give credit to the guys for never giving up,” Ash said.

SERRA (8-3) 9, MONTE VISTA (5-6), 7 – If Monte Vista football was a television program on the E! channel, Friday's (Nov. 21) SDCIF Division III playoff opener could better be called "Monarchs’ Soup," a condensed microcosm of the entire 2008 season wrapped into a single, 30-minute episode.

"The defense played well, but we can't turn the ball over if we want to win," said Monte Vista coach PAGE CULVER. "It's been our Achilles' heel all season – turnovers at a bad time – or we don't necessarily block well up front."

The comment was succinct and to the point. Six possessions in Serra territory resulted in four turnovers, a failed fourth-down, and just a single touchdown in falling to the Western League champion Conquistadors.

While the performance of the offense was again less than desirable, despite out-gaining the Q-Dogs, 199-170, the defense was again outstanding, led by TRACY SHIELDS, GILBERT BATES, OTIS LAMBERT and BRANDON EGBERT.

"The defense played excellent, but we just came up short," noted Shields. "I love this team and I'll do anything for them, but their D-line put it on our O-line in this game."

Shields' comments were filled with frustration in a contest the Monarchs could have won.

When Serra finally figured out it should run away from Shields -- the Monarchs did not allow a first down until there was less than 10 minutes left in the first half -- Bates (13 tackles) and Lambert (11) were making stop after stop. And when Q's quarterback Arthur Stewart passed the ball, Egbert came through, knocking four passes away and successfully defending another half-dozen.

In addition, KENNETH TRIBBLE was credited with a pair of fourth-quarter sacks and a fumble recovery, SHAMAR BARNES returned an interception 64 yards, while MIKE HODGES blocked a PAT conversion after Serra took a 6-0 second-quarter lead when Stewart found tight end Colton Bradley on a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Monte Vista took the lead late in the third period following Barnes' long runback.

MAURICE PAYNE completed consecutive passes to Egbert (21 yards) and JERRAD SCOTT (10 yards), followed by a 3-yard touchdown run by NICK WILLIAMS for a 7-6 lead.

Following the ensuing kickoff, the game was delayed for 28 minutes after a Serra player suffered a broken ankle and was taken by ambulance from the field. The delay allowed the Q's to re-gain focus, eventually scoring the game-winning points on the very next drive.

The march included a clutch catch by Bradley, who finished with 8 receptions for 99 yards. Bradley, the nephew of Monte Vista assistant coach BOBBY URSILLO, juggled the ball before hauling it in for 19 yards and a key first down.

When the drive stalled, Serra kicker Ryan Smalley kicked a 27-yard field goal with 56 seconds left in the third period to re-gain the lead.

"The family was having mixed feelings -- they wanted me to do well, but were rooting for Monte Vista," noted Bradley. "But (Serra linebacker) Marcus Alvin is the best player I ever saw in my life. He did great in stopping the run."

Thanks to Alvin 's tackling, Monte Vista managed just 63 yards on the ground on 36 carries, with just a single rush going for double-figures.

Serra had one opportunity to run out the clock, but Bates recovered a fumble with 3:24 remaining. However, the Monarchs' final drive ended with a fourth-down sack by Brandon Gross.

"We came up all pumped up at the line -- we ran, we twisted and we executed it," said Gross, who also registered one of three fumble recoveries by the Q-Dogs. "Now we get Valhalla, a team with a great quarterback, so we'll have to come out playing even better than tonight."

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN (10-1) 34, HOLTVILLE (5-6) 20 – The season of firsts for the Knights continued at the expense of the visiting Vikings from the Imperial Valley.

Paced by three rushing touchdowns by CALEB GARDNER, Foothills Christian won in its first-ever postseason contest Friday (Nov. 21), dropping Holtville at Junior Seau Field in the first round of the SDCIF Division V playoffs.

Gardner scored on runs of 10 and 9 yards in the first half for a 14-6 lead. The second score was set-up on a 39-yard pass reception by GAGE PROVENCHER.

"The O-Line did a great job – both the left side and the right side. I can't say enough about them," Gardner told a local television highlight show. "We had to play our guts out, and we will need to again next week against Christian."

Foothills coach STEVE PERDUE agreed about the line play.

“The offensive line guys really were the heroes tonight dominating the line of scrimmage,” Perdue said.

Holtville rallied to move within 5 points early in the second half, but GARRET CAMPBELL staved off the comeback effort by returning a kickoff 91 yards for the back-breaking score. Campbell found a hole and dashed along the left sidelines in front of the Knights’ bench to mount a 24-12 lead.

Gardner then tacked on his third score -- a 6-yard rush up the middle -- with Campbell booting a 25-yard field goal for a 34-12 advantage.

Campbell finished with 148 rushing yards to nip Gardner's 141 for game honors. Campbell also completed 5-of-9 passes for 117 yards, giving him nearly 400 all-purpose yards (rushing, passing and kick returns).

The victory was a school-record 8th consecutive for the Knights (10-1). It also advances Foothills Christian into the SDCIF Division V quarterfinals against 3rd-seeded Christian, a 3-time SDCIF finalist next weekend. The Patriots (9-1) received a first-round bye.

“I don’t think Christian gives us much of a chance against them next Friday,” Perdue said. “But guess what? We will show up and give our best effort. We hear it is going to rain next Friday, so that could be the equalizer we need.”

Cougars singing 'On The Road Again'

© East County Sports.com
EL CENTRO (11-20-08) — It's the Friday before Thanksgiving, so it means only one thing for the Steele Canyon High football team: Roadtrip, baby.

For some unknown reason (some would call it the luck of the draw), the Cougars always seem to not only open the CIF San Diego Section playoffs on the road, but are assigned one of the longest excursions possible with a trek to the Imperial Valley.

That hasn’t been a problem for the Cougars in the past.

In 2003, Steele Canyon, then a second-year program, was sent to Brawley. Three seasons later, the Cougars traveled to El Centro's Central Union. And now, for the third time in six seasons, Steele Canyon makes a return appearance to "The Valley" with another matchup with Central. MORE BELOW

There's just one thought to keep in mind while the Cougars (5-5) pile up frequent freeway miles on the bus: they came away winners the first two times. But this year’s assignment might be more challenging.

Central's Spartans own a sparkling 9-1 record, then why aren't they among the top Division III seeds? Try lack of a difficult schedule which includes barely holding off Santana, 39-30, followed a week later with its lone loss to Division V Christian, 35-15.

Since then, the Spartans whipped four lowly opponents (with a composite 14-26 record) by a 264-43 count before edging Brawley in the traditional Bell Game, 16-13 last week.

The Spartans move the ball behind senior lineman Francisco Retana, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound center with quick feet, who missed most of the 2007 season with a broken ankle. Retana, an Honors student and a talented tenor saxophone player for the school band, leads the blocking for Ricky Smith, who averages a touch under 100 yards per contest.

However, Central has rarely met an opponent with the size up front that Steele Canyon possesses. So while the Spartans may get into the endzone a few times, we figure the Cougars will get there more often thanks to running back ALEX PERLIN, East County's fourth-leading rusher... Steele Canyon, 31-14.

Elsewhere (All games start at 7 p.m.)
DIVISION III
Brawley (5-5) at El Capitan (7-3) – Despite its recent regular season success, including a pair of Grossmont North League crowns over the past three years, the El Capitan Vaqueros have found the postseason to be anything but fruitful.

El Capitan owns just a single playoff victory since 2001 (1-6 record), often getting sabotaged by its own defense (or lack of it). The Vaqueros have made improvement on stuffing the run after struggling in losses to Ramona and Point Loma earlier in the year.

Fortunately, the Brawley Wildcats are not one of those types of teams. Instead, they quickly fell against both of their San Diego County opponents this season (Valhalla, 35-0, and Santa Fe Christian, 38-13), which is why they barely gained the 12th and final Division III berth, while El Capitan is seeded 5th, just missing on a first-round bye.

While Brawley's starting backfield as been a revolving door – they even moved backup quarterback Dylan Mohamed to tailback to generate some sort of offense – El Cap has been stable with quarterback TANNER RUST throwing 20 touchdown passes this season.

Look for Rust to expel some of the postseason demons plaguing the Vaqueros... El Capitan, 35-7.

Monte Vista (5-5) at Serra (7-3) – The last time Monte Vista won in postseason play came in 2004, when the undefeated Monarchs fell one contest short of reaching Qualcomm Stadium after a final-minute field goal sailed wide in a 24-22 upset loss to Valley Center. The site of the upset: Serra High.

Coincidence or not, the Monarchs will hope for better results on a return trip to Tierrasanta to meet the host Conquistadors, champions of the Western League.

The Q's are led by quarterback Arthur Stewart, who has thrown TD passes in nine straight games after getting blanked in the season opener. Stewart has a trio of strong receivers, who have blossomed since injuries put the Serra ground game into shambles.

Monte Vista boasts a top-flight defender in linebacker TRACY SHIELDS, perhaps East County ’s best. Serra has its own shield in senior Marcus Alvin, who owns seven sacks this year and is listed with double-digit figures in tackles in every game this season.

Serra captured its first four league games to wrap up the title before the final game of the season, then came out flat to fall in the regular season finale to Hoover, 31-21, as Cardinals running back Deontray Johnson posted 208 yards,

In other words, Hoover unlocked the secret to club the Q's: run the ball right at them. And running the ball up the middle is something the Monarchs do well with the likes of NICK WILLIAMS and JERRAD SCOTT plus QB MAURICE PAYNE, which makes for another East County Sports' Upset Special... Monte Vista, 21-17.

DIVISION II
Grossmont (4-6) vs. Bonita Vista (6-4), at Southwestern College – The Barons opened the season with five consecutive victories with one formula: blitz and cause turnovers. But when Mesa League play began, opponents took care of the football and ran up the middle to send Bonita Vista to a next-to-last finish.

The Foothillers are also known for an opportunistic defense, including six interception runbacks for touchdowns (two by linebacker CODY SOS of 35 and 69 yards, and one each by COLTON BUGAWASIN, ALEX SHARPE, VALENTINO HODGSON and CONOR MEREDITH).

Plus, an interesting matchup at quarterback shows Grossmont's TYLER MUTTER (1,784 yards, 13 TDs, 53.6 pct.) almost statistically even with Bonita Vista's Hector Castellanos (1,311 yards, 14 TDs, 55.0 pct.).

It's quite obvious the turnover battle will determine this contest. This is one of those pick-‘em games and the choice is... Grossmont, 16-14.

West Hills (4-6) at Patrick Henry 6-4) – One of East County’s most successful first-round playoff teams in the past has been West Hills. The Wolf Pack, however, won’t have any easy trek this time as they’ll be on the road for the opening round for the first time in five seasons, albeit a short jaunt around Cowles Mountain to meet the Patriots.

The teams opened the season against each other, with Henry taking a 24-12 decision in Santee behind 171 rushing yards by William Dabbert, However, despite gaining nearly 500 yards in the Patriots' first four games, the senior was held in check by Eastern League rivals. Henry’s 6-foot-5 Kevin Farley has taken over at quarterback and presents an imposing problem for most defenses.

Workhorse CHRISTIAN FONSECA (1,454 all-purpose yards, 13 TDs) and LEVI JACOB (858 yards, 65 points) are the cornerstones of the West Hills offense. Jacob is also a threat as a kicker with seven field goals, a long of 46.

Sure, Patrick Henry has played a more challenging, week-to-week schedule, but if you can't stop a running game, you can ignore the records and look for... Patrick Henry 28-17.

DIVISION V
Holtville (5-5) vs. Foothills Christian (9-1), at Junior Seau Field – An emotional roller-coaster saw the Knights trail Calvin Christian by 14 points at the half, only to rally to stun the Crusaders on a field goal at the gun, 16-14, to capture their first-ever league championship.

The Knights are hoping this year of firsts continues when they host the school’s first-ever SDCIF playoff contest against the Desert League’s Holtville.

Holtville is paced by sophomore Ethan Ming, who started at quarterback for three games as a 15-year old freshman. Ming also plays outside linebacker and defensive end, while serving off the field as a leader for the Campus Life church youth group.

An interesting note on the Vikings and their 5-5 record: none of their games have been close. Either they win big or roll over quickly. The closest contest – either way – was a 12-point victory over Mountain Empire, 26-14, on Nov. 7.

Since we already know how the GARRET CAMPBELL-led Knights perform when the pressure is on (see last week's historic triumph), the choice is simple... Foothills Christian, 27-6.