Valhalla slot back Manuel Paramo (Photo by Susan Cooper Photography)

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (9-20-08/ Updated 9-21-08) — This was a game of contrasts when the Grossmont Foothillers visited the Steele Canyon Cougars in a non-league game on Friday (Sept. 19).

Steele Canyon’s ALEX PERLIN was the driving force behind the Cougars’ 36-18 victory over the Foothillers. Perlin rushed for a school record 309 yards and 3 touchdowns on 32 carries to propel Steele Canyon to the pivotal victory.

Perlin, who broke the rushing record of 264 yards set by JAMIE DALE against Hilltop in 2006, ran roughshod over the Foothillers in the opening quarter, collecting 177 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 carries as Steele Canyon claimed a 20-6 lead.

Grossmont junior quarterback TYLER MUTTER completed 25 of 43 passes for 277 yards and 2 touchdowns.

So the bottom line is: Can the pass beat the rush, or the other way around?

Turns out the ball control of a half-dozen Cougar running backs who generated 419 yards was the difference. Leading Perlin’s supporting cast was JASON COFIELD, who averaged 16 yards on 3 carries.

One of the unsung heroes was Cougars defensive back MICHAEL WINTER, who recorded 7 tackles, intercepted a pass, made a key sack and logged a safety. What was most intriguing to the 5-foot-9, 150-pound junior was his interception in the final minute.

“I saw the endzone and nobody in front of me,” Winter recalled. “But I think Grossmont’s No. 10 (BRETT ETHERTON) took a good angle on me and tripped me up.”

Winter admitted though that he was happy to get one of the Steele Canyon ’s game balls. One of the Cougars assistant coaches was heard to say that Michael “was the best defensive player on the field.”

DERRELL MASTERS also had 10 tackles for the Cougars, one more than Robinson. Cofield also had 8 tackles and a pass break-up for the Cougars.

Grossmont (1-2) was not without its standouts.

Wide receiver Etherton had an outstanding game for the Foothillers with a school record 13 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown. The 6-3, 185-pound junior broke the Grossmont record of 10 catches set by SCOTT BEATTY against Monte Vista in 1981.

DOMINIQUE BRADLEY, who scored on a 55-yard run on his only carry of the game, recorded a game-high 12 tackles for the Foothillers.

Mutter’s 25 completions ties for fourth among Grossmont High’s all-time best.

AMERICAN FORK (Utah) 54, MOUNT MIGUEL 34 – Even Mount Miguel coach TOM KARLO found it hard to believe that his Matadors could lose a game in which they scored 35 points, which in this case was Friday night (Sept. 19) at American Fork High in Utah.

After falling behind 13-0 the Matadors came back to tie the 1st quarter at 13-13 in the non-league game. It was a see-saw battle after that but Mount Miguel (2-1) burned itself by serving up 4 interceptions.

A 21-7 second quarter spread gave host American Fork a lead it would not lose.

“They capitalized on every one of those interception,” said Karlo. “They killed us. It was a shoot-out for awhile, but we couldn’t keep up with them because of our turnovers. We made too many mistakes on both sides of the ball. We did a lousy job of stopping people.”

Mount Miguel’s DERALL HUNTER scored 4 touchdowns – 3 rushing, 1 receiving. His longest one was a 62-yard burst to the endzone and he also reeled in a 53-yard scoring pass from back-up quarterback BRANDON RAMOS.

“I know Derall ran for over 150 yards,” said Karlo.

The Matadors’ FELIX DELEON caught a 22-yard TD pass from sophomore quarterback DE’JAY NOLEN.

Bright spots for the Matadors were touring BYU’s new weight room facilities and watching the Cougars practice.

“It was a nice experience for these kids,” Karlo noted. “It’s too bad we lost but I think the bonding was worth it. We’re stopping by Vegas on the way home for another all-you-can-eat dinner and the kids are so excited about that. But it’s like I told them, we need to get serious about winning football games when we get home.”

VALHALLA 38, MONTGOMERY 10 – For the second week in a row, Valhalla's football team took a long bus ride to the South Bay, this week to play Montgomery. Last week the Norsemen beat Mater Dei 33-10; this week they dispatched the Aztecs 38-10, starting off the season 2-0.

Last week, Valhalla's junior quarterback, PETE THOMAS, passed for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns; against Montgomery Friday night (Sept. 19), he threw for 215 yards and 4 TDs.

“They blitzed us every down, brought the whole house,” said Valhalla coach STEVE SUTTON. “They actually forced us to throw more than I really wanted to do. That’s a credit to our kids that we were able to do so.”

Valhalla got off to a fast start. On the opening kickoff, junior linebacker LEONARD PANNEK flattened the Aztec returner on the Montgomery 18-yard line. Lineman SHANE PENNIX quickly set the defensive tempo, sacking the South Bay quarterback on the third play of the game, forcing a punt that went only 8 yards, giving the Norsemen great field position at the Aztecs' 30-yard line.

Three plays later, on an end-around run, slotback NINO MALLORY broke several tackles, scoring a 21-yard touchdown, with 8:41 left in the first quarter. Thomas split the uprights with his first of 5 PATs, giving the Norsemen a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Montgomery returner once again got stuffed on his 18-yard line, this time by GREG GOULDING. And, once again, it was three and out for the home team. Yet another short punt gave Valhalla the ball on the Aztecs' 34-yard line. On first down, Thomas hooked up with TRAIVONNE BROWN on a middle-screen pass. Cutting to his left, Brown took it up a notch and outran his pursuers for a 34-yard TD, with 7:29 remaining in the initial stanza.

Following a Thomas 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Valhalla led 17-0. The Norsemen defense held Montgomery to 11 yards total offense in the first quarter.

The South Bay based Aztecs fought back in the second quarter and put together an impressive drive that featured both the running and passing of senior quarterback Marvin Bobadilla, who threw a 9-yard dart to junior wide receiver Chris Mathis. Bobadilla's PAT kick closed the gap to 17-7, with 8:47 left before intermission.

Moments later, it looked like Montgomery was going to make it a game when its defense forced the Norsemen to punt three plays later. Mallory's punt was fumbled by the punt returner, and Valhalla's Brown fell on the ball at the Montgomery 44, giving the visitor's another chance to pad to their lead.

The Aztecs' defense made yet another stand, forcing the Norsemen to punt once again after just three plays. Unbelievably, the Montgomery returner fumbled away Mallory's kick. This time, an alert KYLE HOYT fell on the loose pigskin at the Montgomery 24, allowing Valhalla's sputtering offense to continue its march. This time, Thomas found Mallory open for a 24-yard TD, for a 24-7 hafltime score.

Thomas threw two more touchdown passes in the final two quarters, a 6-yard toss to DEREK WHITE in the third quarter, and a 40-yard bomb to a wide-open JAMES LEIGHTON in the final period.

Senior linebacker KELLEN WILEY and Pennix led the Valhalla defense. Wiley had 12 tackles and Pennix had 10 tackles, 5 of which were for losses, and 2 quarterback sacks. ALEX JOHNSON and DILLON TALIA each had interceptions to stop Montgomery drives.

Monte Vista running back Michael Hodges (6) follows the lead block by teammate Shervin Iraniha for a nice pick-up against Santa Fe Christian in Friday's non-leaguer. (Photo by Larry Montalbano)

Monarchs senior Nick Williams\ (9) races through a huge hole for a 16-yard gain. (Photo by Larry Montalbano)

Despite forcing five turnovers in the first half, Monte Vista saw a 13-0 lead fizzle away in Friday's (Sept. 20) non-league loss to the Eagles (2-1).

"No excuses -- the defense didn't do its part either," said Monarchs linebacker TRACY SHIELDS. "What changed was nothing really, we just didn't make plays. No excuses."

Defensive back JERRAD SCOTT powered the initial defensive surge. His interception to halt the first drive of the game led to a short 28-yard scoring drive, capped by a NICK WILLIAMS touchdown rush of 10 yards.

Monte Vista then forced fumbles over the next three series.

A hit by KENNETH TRIBBLE socked the rock free for a turnover, then a blow by RODNEY TAYLOR saw the loose football get scooped by Scott, who rumbled 32 yards along the Monte Vista sidelines for a touchdown and a 13-point advantage.

Santa Fe Christian continued dropping the ball when ALEX ROSSELL jarred the ball free. The Eagles eventually scored on a 1-yard plunge by Brice Heers, who paced his side with 71 rushing yards. The visitors had one more chance in the first half, but it ended on a forced fumble and recovery by PATRICK FLECKENSTEIN at the gun.

Finally taking care of the ball, the Eagles' mounted several long drives to rally back. The first score came after the tables got turned on Monte Vista.

"Everyone knew what was needed -- there's no question about it -- and we played so much better in the second half," said Eagles defensive end Ben Burke, who started the change by recovering a fumble off a botched handoff.

The turnover set-up a go-ahead, 40-yard scoring march. Travis Berglund capped the drive by running around left end on a 14-yard burst for a 14-13 lead. Meanwhile, Monte Vista lost the ball two additional times on fumbles.

In the fourth quarter, Eagles kicker Brock Miller booted a 31-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead. But when Miller's 40-yard effort was blocked by Tribble with 1:21 remaining, Monte Vista gained a final opportunity to reach the victory column.

However, with starting quarterback MAURICE PAYNE on the sidelines with an injury to his passing arm suffered in the third period, sophomore back-up SHERVIN IRANIHA was thrown into the fire.

That's when Monte Vista registered its fourth turnover of the second half, as Iraniha's only pass attempt fell well short of his target and was intercepted by Michael Tomayko.

"Everyone was amped, with our momentum pumping," added Burke. "We were never out of the game."

The triumph gave Eagles coach BRIAN SIPE -- a former local standout at Grossmont High, Grossmont College and San Diego State and an NFL most valuable player -- another successful venture to the East County. Last season, Sipe's underdog Eagles shocked Helix in a 7-7 draw.

Scott paced both sides with 79 rushing yards on 16 carries. The senior also recorded a game-high two receptions for 17 yards, and gained 128 yards in returns.

Shields paced the Monarchs defense with 13 tackles, matching the total by Eagles linebacker Ryan Moore.

The outcome ruined Dedication Day at Monarchs Stadium, with a host of dignitaries on hand for the school's first game on its new Field Turf playing surface -- the 9th of 11 Grossmont Conference programs with the carpet.

HELIX 35, CARLSBAD 14 – For those that might have thought the Highlanders’ blowout victory of Rancho Buena Vista in the season opener, followed by 19-17 loss to Mira Mesa was going to be an up-and-down path better reconsider.

The Highlanders’ victory over RBV was for real. Their loss to Mira Mesa was a stubbed toe. And now their victory over Carlsbad is the real deal.

One can only ask how good would Helix be if they had all their players healthy at the same time, as they did in the opener against RBV.

For now Helix coach TROY STARR will settle for a 2-1 record, as his Highlanders snapped a 14-14 tie by scoring 3 touchdowns over the final 2½ quarters to clip Carlsbad (1-2) at El Camino Friday night (Sept. 19).

The Highlanders (2-1) scored on 5 of their first 7 possessions to post a convincing victory.

Unheralded running back PAUL BLAKENEY accounted for 3 touchdowns for the Highlanders, scoring on runs of 9, 4 and 1 yards. The 5-foot-7, 176-pound senior led all rushers with 133 yards on 23 carries.

Highlanders quarterback TY CULVER also came up big, clicking on 15 of 25 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown. His lone scoring pass went to TRELAN TAYLOR, which gave the Highlanders a lead they would not lose.

LEVINE TOILOLO caught 5 passes for 56 yards, while TRAVON VAN reeled in 4 aerials for 96 yards. Van also rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown on 5 carries.

SANTANA 19, IMPERIAL 0 — Down in the Imperial Valley, they believe that Santana is one of the top passing teams in the San Diego CIF Section. And the Sultans are pretty good passers.

But facing 100 degree temperatures, the Sultans brought along a pretty decent running game, too. And a defense that wanted to prove that last week’s showing against Christian was a fluke.

A 55-yard 1st quarter run by KYLE HAYES set the stage for a 10-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback ZACH BREIDT to senior KRIS KIMMEL, giving Santana a 7-0 lead by the close of the 1st quarter.

It was the first of two touchdown passes between Kimmel and Breidt. Breidt put the final points on the board when he hit Kimmel with a 21-yard touchdown score, staking the Sultans (2-1) to a 19-0 halftime lead.

It was another shining performance for Breidt, who completed 15 of 26 passes for 171 yards.

Hayes, whose specialty is as a baseball pitcher, rushed for 138 yards, including a 55-yard TD dash on just 13 carries. Kimmel caught 5 passes for 97 yards to go along with his 2 scores.

“We knew it would be hot, and it was,” said Kimmel. “But it really wasn’t that much different – we were focused on the game.”

Kimmel said his first scoring reception came off a play-action boot-lob from Breidt, and his second TD came off a switch-and-streak. Kimmel averaged 13 yards on three carries.

“I thought we played well both ways,” said Kimmel, who is also one of East County ’s top backs.

OTAY RANCH 34, GRANITE HILLS 14 – One thing is certain about the Granite Hills Eagles, they definitely have one of the top running backs in the county. That would be 6-foot, 191-pound senior AARON HARRIS.

No matter what the outcome might be, Harris always makes a positive for the Eagles (0-3).

The hard-nosed senior scored on a 27-yard run and then pulled in a 49-yard pass from quarterback TYLER JOWORSKI in Friday’s (Sept. 19) non-league game at Otay Ranch.

The Eagles maintained a slim 14-13 lead thanks to two PAT conversions by junior kicker TYLER STRICKLAND.

“It was a really strange game,” said Granite Hills coach RANDY DeWITT. “It seemed like we were just one play away from breaking it open.”

Harris rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries and caught 2 passes for 56 yards. He also had 2 kickoff returns for 31 yards.

“He’s a tall back who makes plays,” said DeWitt of Harris. “We try to get the ball in his hands as much as we can – we should probably do it more.”

Joworski completed 8 of 15 passes for 134 yards and one score. He was, however, sacked for 36 yards in losses.

On a more positive note, Granite Hills did not turn the ball over one time.

Strickland also launched all 3 of his kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks.

Chula Vista’s Taimi Tutogi accounted for 3 touchdowns for the Spartans (2-1), who scored 21 points in the 4th quarter to pull out the victory.

“That guy (Tutogi) has a scholarship to the University of Arizona,” said DeWitt. “He missed the first two games due to disciplinary reasons. But he was ready for us and that seemed to emotionally lift their whole team.”

EL CAJON VALLEY 63, EL CENTRO SOUTHWEST 0 – The majority of the preseason Grossmont North League prognosticators hinted as if they were being kind by not picking the El Cajon Valley Braves to not finish last. The consensus was that the Braves would finish fourth in the five team league.

Maybe they should gaze deeper into their crystal ball, considering the Braves are averaging 50 points a game and are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2005.

Comparing this group – which scored an El Cajon Valley record against the hapless visitors from El Centro Southwest Friday night (Sept. 19) – with the 2005 section semifinalists might be presumptuous. Granted, pounding out three lop-sided victories definitely catches one’s attention, and there’s an excellent possibility that the Braves could roll out to a 5-0 start before hosting South Bay powerhouse Otay Ranch on Oct. 10.

After that, the Braves can focus on a Grossmont North League championship, which – barring injuries – they should have an excellent chance of winning.

Naturally, El Cajon Valley 2nd year head coach DANNY GOODRICH does not want to look that far ahead.

“We are playing real well right now,” said Goodrich. “I’m happy with our consistency. Both lines are controlling the line of scrimmage.”

Senior quarterback ISAAC SOLIZ accounted for 129 total yards and 5 touchdowns. His contributions included a pair of TD passes to GAVINO PINAL of 13 and 14 yards, and another to RYAN MEYER of 15 yards.

Soliz also scored twice on runs of 1 and 9 yards.

For all intents and purposes the game was over after the 1st quarter with the Braves leading the Eagles (0-3) by a score of 28-0. It was 42-0 by intermission and Goodrich suggested that the game utilize a running clock in the 2nd half. The visitors from the desert declined the invitation until the officials declared the final 12 minutes would be conducted with a running clock, as the Braves had built a 56-0 lead.

Six El Cajon Valley ballcarriers contributed to the Braves’ 231-yard rushing total. ALEX HANN was the pacesetter with 81 yards on 5 carries, including a 54-yard touchdown dash that opened the scoring.

GERALD KENDALL also scored a pair of TDs, and sophomore DAN PETERSON converted all 9 of his PAT kicks to break the 3-year-old school record set by KEVIN KELLY. Peterson fell just one kick shy of the Grossmont Conference record held by Valhalla ’s SPENCER MYERS.

POINT LOMA 24, EL CAPITAN 7 – Once again, a paltry running game took the air out of El Capitan’s one-time potent passing game in Friday’s (Sept. 19) non-league clash with Point Loma in Lakeside.

The preseason favorites to win the Grossmont North League are going to have to find a way to right their ship because right now even the playoffs appear to be out of reach for the Vaqueros (1-2).

Operating with little to no protection up front and a staggering running game, the Vaqueros are starting to realize that they cannot rely exclusively on the gifted talents of quarterback TANNER RUST to carry the load.

Under siege as he’s been most of the season, Rust completed only 5 of 15 passes for 71 yards.

The Vaqueros tied the game 7-7 on an 8-yard run by junior DILLIAN SCHLOTTER and a Rust PAT with 5:05 left in the 1st half.

But basically it was a long night for the Vaqueros, who were limited to 76 total yards and four first downs.

BROOKS NOBLE was the Vaqueros leading receiver with two catches for 40 yards. JAMES GALLIVAN also caught two passes but was limited to 13 yards.

The Vaqueros’ top receiver, JON MOLZEN, was smothered by the Point Loma secondary and rationed to one catch for 18 yards.

SCRIPPS RANCH 17, WEST HILLS 10 – It’s no secret that the Wolf Pack is scavenging for offense this season.

West Hills senior running back CHRISTIAN FONSECA broke two tackles and powered 30 yards for a game-tying touchdown to conclude the first half of Friday’s (Sept. 19) non-league game against Scripps Ranch.

The visiting Falcons took a 10-7 lead on Nick Sloan’s 41-yard field goal with three seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Scripps Ranch (1-1) opened up a 10-point spread when J.T. Kerr took a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tate Forcier early in the 4th quarter.

West Hills fought back to close the deficit on a 25-yard field goal by LEVI JACOB, his third of the season.

“Our main problem was we turned the ball over three times,” West Hills coach CASEY ASH said. “We can’t win like that.”

Junior running back ALAN PARKS opened the game with an 74-yard kickoff return, but was tackled at the 15 and West Hills did not score on that possession.

Once again Fonseca led the Wolf Pack with 83 yards rushing on 13 carries. He also averaged 41.6 yards on three punts.

Quarterback JOE ROBERTS clicked on 7 of 15 passes for 54 yards.

“Defensively we played well,” Ash said. “We contained their quarterback all night.”

To their credit the Wolf Pack sacked the elusive Forcier three times.

CHRISTIAN 62, ESCONDIDO CHARTER 12 – As Christian head coach MATT OLIVER watched his Patriots devour the White Tigers Friday night (Sept. 19), he wondered why he’d even scheduled the game.

It was certainly one for the books as the Patriots (3-0) established school records for total yards (609) and rushing (506) in a mere 37 plays. One can only imagine how lopsided it could have become had the 2nd half not been played with a running clock.

“One of our goals is to get to play in the state Division V championship game,” Oliver said. “So we’re trying to find as many Division V teams to play as we could, and Escondido Charter was available. Looking back now, I don’t think I’ll do that again.”

Oliver’s players loved it though. CHARLES THOMPSON rushed for 225 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. MATTHEW FIELDS, a two-way starter, added 146 yards and a touchdown on just 8 carries. Field also reeled in a 17-yard pass completion from junior quarterback ERICK ALLEN.

“When you think of the kind of numbers we got with a running clock in the 2nd half, you know this is a game that should never be played,” said Oliver, whose Patriots have won 17 of 18 games over the last two seasons.

Albeit highlights were many for the Pats, the one that caught Oliver’s fancy the most was having two of his starting offensive linemen each score a touchdown.

“Do they keep records on stuff like that?” Oliver pondered.

KEVIN BARTZEN, a 6-foot, 275-pound senior, carried twice, picking up 4 yards on his first carry and bounding 1-yard into the endzone on his second try for his first career TD.

“Kevin keeps telling me he is a running back in an offensive lineman’s body,” Oliver said. “He kept telling me he wanted a chance to run with the ball, so we gave it to him.”

Versatile STEVEN PITTS, a two-way starter who is a primary blocker in the Patriots’ offensive front, scored the final touchdown of the game on a 62-yard run.

Not to be overlooked was the 63-yard punt return for a touchdown by BROCK BRESHEARS.

Tight end/defensive end TYRONE SAULS reeled in 2 touchdown passes from Allen, who opened the scoring with a 36-yard TD lob to CALEB FARREL.

Foothills Christian quarterback Garret Campbell (right) awaits a play-call from Knights head coach Steve Perdue. (Photo by Larry Montalbano)

Although both teams are Division V members of the San Diego CIF, the visiting Torreys (3-0) clearly overwhelmed the Knights.

“Quite honestly, we did not lose this game tonight,” Perdue said. “We lost it this summer. Our lack of a weight program and commitment to excellence was why we were beaten like a drum.”

Actually, Foothills Christian took an early 6-0 lead when MATTISON RUNDLETT scored on a 1-yard run.

Before the Knights would score again, La Jolla Country Day had built a 35-6 lead late in the 2nd quarter.

Foothills Christian finally broke through on what was “ruled a 100-yard kickoff return” by GARRET CAMPBELL. Campbell then added the extra point.

But the Torreys maintained a commanding 38-13 halftime lead.

“They controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Perdue said. “They were bigger, faster, stronger up front. Our inability to run the ball (13

carries for 57 yards) hurt our offense.

The 2nd half was more of the same as LJCD had its way with the Knights’ defense.

The miniscule rushing production generated by the Knights was mostly by Campbell who garnered 52 yards on 7 carries. He did not have one of his better days passing, however, completing only 9 of 25 attempts for 184 yards. He served up four interceptions but did connect with GAGE PROVENCHER for a pair of touchdown passes of 75 and 16 yards.

“We have not been crisp the last two weeks and that falls in my lap,” said Perdue.

CALEB GARDNER paced the Foothills Christian defense with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery, while ROBERT KAKOS added 10 tackles and a sack.

“The real truth,” said Perdue, “is we do not belong playing La Jolla Country Day (which has won the Pacific League championship five years in a row). We can not compete without facilities comparable to them (such as a weight room on campus). I was really more concerned with injuries to our guys than any time ever before.”

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (9-18-08) — Season-opening wake-up calls saw both Grossmont and Steele Canyon rebound to secure decisive victories. Now these 1-1 ballclubs face off at 7 p.m. in Friday's (Sept. 19) featured East County game of the week.

The Cougars definitely have the edge in their offensive line that averages more than 300 pounds per man. They also have some speed in track sprinter ALEX PERLIN (35-228, 3 TDs) and JOEY LEOS (10-89, TD). None of that mattered in a 48-7 loss to Cathedral Catholic. But the Cougars quickly regained their feet and steamrollered West Hills, 27-0, last week.

Grossmont’s forte is defense. This is a unit led by safety DOMINIQUE BRADLEY and linebacker CONOR MEREDITH.

The last two meetings between these clubs were decided by a total of nine points with each side winning once. It should be that close again in the Cougars’ corral... Steele Canyon 15-14.

No. 6 Helix (1-1) at No. 12 Carlsbad (1-1), 7 — Both ranked ballclubs suffered losses in Top 10 match-ups last week, but with a difference. While the Highlanders were nipped in the final minute on the road by Mira Mesa, 19-17, the Lancers were slugged in the stomach by neighboring La Costa Canyon, 52-3.

At least the Scotties are comfortable with the fact they still know they are a postseason contender, while Carlsbad needs to pick up the pieces after getting whipped physically and psychologically.

Keep in mind, though. Helix has never beaten Carlsbad, including a 14-10 loss in La Mesa a year ago.

The Scotties are hoping to have corner-slotback TRELAN TAYLOR back at full strength, which can only help matters. But this is the first road game for the Highlanders... Helix, 21-13.

Santana (1-1) at Imperial (1-0), 7 -- The Sultans played a solid first quarter and a decent first half, but slipped in the second half in last week's setback to Christian. Imperial's Tigers did the flip, overcoming a sloppy first half effort to finally slap down the Gila Ridge ( Ariz. ) Hawks, 23-0, in their opener following a first-week bye for new Imperial coach Kerry Legarra.

For Santana to pass the ball better than Gila Ridge, they must block the blitzing Tigers, who registered six sacks, including three by senior linebacker Caleb Hogue.

Fortunately, Sultans quarterback ZACH BREIDT is a mobile passer who leads the Grossmont Conference with five touchdowns. If the heat doesn’t melt the Sultans, it should be... Santana, 35-21.

Mount Miguel (2-0) at American Fork (Utah) (2-2) -- The Matadors get the opportunity to complete Thursday's walk-through at Brigham Young University's LaVell Edwards Stadium before meeting the Cavemen on Friday (Sept. 19).

American Fork traveled to Southern California in 2007, dropping a 50-32 decision to powerful Santa Ana-Mater Dei, then capped the season with a pair of postseason victories before falling in the Utah state semifinals to Layton.

However, standout wide receiver Jake Murphy, the son of former National League baseball Most Valuable Player Dale Murphy, has moved on to BYU, leaving the Matadors room to take advantage of a team in re-loading mode. If Mount Miguel handles the excitement of taking a bona fide road trip, the Matadors should remain undefeated... Mount Miguel, 16-14.

EC Southwest (0-2) at El Cajon Valley (2-0), 7 – The last time the Braves opened the season with three straight wins was in 2005. They finished that year 11-3 and reached the San Diego CIF Division II finals at Qualcomm Stadium. It is presumptuous to assume this year’s group will follow suit, but they are on a similar path and should have little difficulty dumping the visiting Eagles Friday night.

El Cajon Valley has averaged 43.5 points in victories over Clairemont and San Ysidro.

The situations is so dire at Southwest they even lost to Tijuana's Instituto de Mexico, blowing a 2-0 lead by allowing the game-winning touchdown in the final minutes of a 7-2 setback. The other ECSW loss was a 55-6 pasting by Yuma Catholic, an outfit not to be confused with Cathedral Catholic... El Cajon Valley 42-8.

Scripps Ranch (0-1) at West Hills (0-2), 7 -- Here is the chance for the Wolf Pack offense to finally get healthy.

While the Falcons' offense rolls with yet another Forcier brother -- it's Michigan-bound Robert "Tate" Forcier -- the defense yielded 54 points to Poway in a 95-point shootout last week.

Twelve points in eight quarters is all the Pack has to show for itself. If West Hills can double that number, who knows? An upset, perhaps... Scripps Ranch, 31-18.

Santa Fe Christian (1-1) at Monte Vista (0-1), 7 -- The last time the Solana Beach based Eagles ventured South to meet a Grossmont South League foe, they shocked Helix in a 7-7 deadlock.

In 2008, SFC head coach BRIAN SIPE returns to his East County roots for a battle with the improving Monarchs, who were nipped by Point Loma in Week One, 29-26, before gaining a bye last week.

SFC opened by losing to La Jolla 19-7 and then hammered Palo Verde 55-26.

The Eagles were hit hard by graduation, while re-built Monte Vista possesses a host of players with two or three seasons on the varsity. Look for offensive linemen HECTOR GASTELUM and JAMES WARNEY to take charge up front... Monte Vista, 33-12.

Valhalla (1-0) at Montgomery (0-2), 7:30 -- Grossmont tagged Montgomery, 34-6, last week, but was the game really so lopsided? The Aztecs marched down the field with their opening drive by passing the football, but the drive ended with an interception at the goal line.

Valhalla's pass attack enjoys going deeper horde receivers behind the arm of East County passing leader PETER THOMAS, who should have a career night throwing the football.

Based on both the physical match-up and the coaching match-up, a potentially close game it won’t be... Valhalla, 41-13.

Point Loma (1-1) at El Capitan (1-1), 7 -- Ramona held the football for more than 10 minutes in one quarter, and 9 minutes in another to rope the injury-riddled Vaqueros last week.

Should El Capitan – which has a two-game net total of minus-23 yards – again struggle at stopping the pass rush against the Pointers, it could be another long evening in Lakeside.

Vaqueros quarterback TANNER RUST completed 57 percent of his passes for more than 3,100 yards in 2007. This year, under heavy pressure, he's at just 46 percent, averaging slightly more than 200 yards per contest.

It's not Rust's fault, but until some of the walking wounded return, somebody makes a block and somebody makes like a running back, El Capitan will remain a solid underdog... Point Loma, 35-14.

Granite Hills (0-2) vs. Chula Vista (1-1) at Otay Ranch, 7:30 – This is an interesting tip-the-scales contest to determine on which side the Eagles belong.

Chula Vista (1-1) downed Sweetwater after getting nipped by two points by Castle Park, which lost to Mount Miguel by the same margin. Granite Hills rests in between those South Bay schools, with a smallish line and some talented skill players in QB TYLER JOWORSKI and running back AARON HARRIS.

The overriding factor may be the Eagles' ability to run the ball behind Harris, the conference co-leader in rushing yards. It may be enough for another nail-biter... Granite Hills, 23-21.

La Jolla Country Day (2-0) vs. Foothills Christian (2-0), at Junior Seau Field, 7 -- Knights head coach STEVE PERDUE is fuming at the local media, all (except, of course, East County Sports.com) for refusing to acknowledge the abilities of quarterback GARRET CAMPBELL.

Campbell is the East County leader in rushing (299 yards), total offense (272 yards/game) and scoring (27 points). Throw in rating first in kickoff returns and making key tackles on defense, and you have an Old Style, two-way player worthy of -- not Silver -- Golden Pigskin consideration.

Meanwhile, this is an interesting battle among Division IV schools. There is a clear line defining the better small-school programs (read Coastal League) against the others. However, La Jolla Country Day always seems to be the border line program in the division, so if the undefeated Knights can prevail here, they would warrant serious consideration as Southern Conference contenders.

However, the Torreys hold the slight edge after nipping The Bishop's, 21-20, while Foothills has yet to play an opponent of such caliber. Thus, until the Knights prove us wrong, the pick is... La Jolla Country Day, 28-25.

Christian (2-0) vs. Escondido Charter (0-2) at Valhalla, 7 -- The Patriots, after running off 33 unanswered points on Santana, now meet a Division IV program in the White Lions.

Escondido Charter already fell to Foothills Christian, 42-21, so what chance do they have with the Patriots? Answer: none... Christian, 45-7.