© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (11-7-09) — The key number rumbling up and down the Valhalla High sidelines Friday (Nov. 6) was 35. As in the number of years the Norsemen have been playing varsity football.

The players knew it. The coaches knew it. The Valhalla fans knew it.

Thanks to some clutch defensive work by the Norsemen, Valhalla was able to stave off Steele Canyon ’s ball-control offense to gain a monumental 14-7 victory to claim that elusive first Grossmont South League crown. No matter what happens next week against Granite Hills, Valhalla remains the undisputed champion.

“This is right up there with going to the ‘Q’ last year,” said Valhalla senior quarterback PETE THOMAS referring to the Norsemen’s first San Diego CIF bout in history against Cathedral Catholic at Qualcomm Stadium. “We’ve been working for this since January.”

It was Thomas’ 65-yard TD strike to JEVON HASTEN that vaulted Valhalla in front 14-7 with 4:47 left in the 3rd quarter.

“What’s that, the first one in 35 years?” queried Thomas, whose 20th scoring pass proved to be the difference in the outcome.

It was a clean sweep for the Norsemen (7-2, 4-0 GSL), who also retained possession of the coveted Jamacha Helmet – the symbolic trophy that goes to the annual winner of this neighborhood tug-o-war.

Just how close was the rematch? Let’s see: Valhalla totaled 285 yards compared to Steele Canyon ’s 278 yards.

Actually, the Cougars cranked off 61 plays compared to 44 for the Norsemen.

“Both defenses played a strong game,” Valhalla coach STEVE SUTTON said. “I think everybody on the Valhalla side is pretty happy with the outcome and what it meant to win league. But that is only one of our goals. We still want to win next week and get a No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the (SDCIF Division II) playoffs.”

After being routed twice by Valhalla last year (once in the playoffs), Steele Canyon (5-3-1, 2-1-1) had some extra incentive going into the game.

The Norsemen got off to a fast start, however, when Thomas, taking the first snap of the game in the shotgun formation at the Valhalla 32, found MIKE BAZZI wide open for a 20-yard reception into SC territory at their 48-yard line. After TRAIVONNE BROWN gained 9 yards on a sweep around the right end, a personal foul penalty against the Cougars advanced the ball to the Steele Canyon 19. The Norsemen got down to the 11-yard line, but on 4th down the Cougars' defense held firm and took over on downs at their 10-yard line.

Led by quarterback BRAD BOEHMKE, the Cougars systematically marched down the field on a 20-play drive that extended into the second quarter, using up more than 11 minutes of clock time.

Running backs ALEX PERLIN and JAKE WRAGG ripped off big chunks of yardage on the drive, aided by two accurate pass completions by Boehmke. Disaster almost struck when the ball carrier fumbled on the Valhalla 1-yard line, but Steele Canyon recovered, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Boehmke. MATT BRUDER’s kick was accurate, and Steele Canyon took the lead 7-0, with 9:47 left in the first half.

Following the ensuing kickoff, Valhalla tied the score in 61 seconds. Starting at the Norsemen 38-yard line, Thomas connected with NINO MALLORY for a 20-yard pickup to the Steele Canyon 42. A 5-yard run by JAMES LEIGHTON coupled with a personal foul penalty against the Cougars put the ball on the Norsemen’s 22-yard line. Thomas threw a dart to MATT SWANGER for a 13-yard gain to the 9-yard line. From there, Traivonne Brown took the direct snap out of the wildcat formation and sprinted into the endzone. NICK GIANDONI supplied the PAT, knotting the score at 7, with 8:46 remaining till intermission.

“The middle wasn’t open so I saw a hole on the outside and I just busted out,” said Brown. “I picked up my blockers out there and nobody touched me. They say it’s taken Valhalla 35 years to be a league champion so it sure feels good to part of all that.”

Late in the first half, Steele Canyon started to engineer another drive, edging into Valhalla territory, but a punishing tackle-for-loss by SHANE PENNIX and a holding penalty put the kibosh on the Cougars' hopes, leaving the score 7-7 at halftime.

The Valhalla defense got rejuvenated at halftime. Led by a great effort from defensive tackle ANTHONY TOMA, it forced the Cougars to punt after three plays, giving the Norsemen good field position at their 42-yard line. Just as it did on its opening play of the first half, Valhalla quickly got deep into Steele Canyon 's side of the field, highlighted by a 17-yard pass-catch from Thomas to Leighton who caromed off of two would-be tacklers until he was forced out of bounds. From the 13-yard line, an apparent touchdown pass went through the fingers of the receiver, and Valhalla opted this time to attempt a 20-yard field goal that just missed.

Steele Canyon offensive coordinator HARUN HUTCHINSON quickly tried to gain momentum when he called for a deep pass. Boehmke threw a 44-yard spiral for a completion to the Valhalla 25-yard line, but defensive back HANSSELL WILSON stripped the ball from the receiver, where it was snatched off the ground by DILLON TALIA, who returned the fumble recovery 14 yards to the Valhalla 39-yard line.

Two plays later, Valhalla took the lead on the Thomas to Hasten touchdown.

Midway through the last stanza, Valhalla was forced to punt. TAYLOR MISHLER fielded the punt at his own 7 and raced 34 yards to the Cougars' 41-yard line, giving his offense great field position. A 16-yard completion from Boehmke to Mishler put the ball on the Valhalla 31; runs by COLIN MARTIN, MICHAEL WINTER and Perlin quickly advanced the ball to the Valhalla 6-yard line.

On the next play, Valhalla created panic… as in, defensive lineman GEORGE PANNEK recovered a fumble at the 5-yard line, stuffing Steele Canyon 's chance to tie – or possibly win the game, with 2:20 left to play.

Mired deep in its own territory, Valhalla had to punt after three plays, once again giving the Cougars a chance to score, this time starting at the Valhalla 42-yard line, but Norsemen defensive back KWEISHI BROWN picked off an errant pass, sealing the victory – and the league championship.

Arizona State bound Thomas connected on 12-of-20 passes for 208 yards and the one touchdown.

Perlin paced the Cougars with 92 yards on 19 carries, while Wragg chipped in with 76 yards on 17 carries. Wragg did not play in the 2nd half due to a sore shoulder, which severely hampered Steele Canyon ’s offensive plans.

Boehmke completed 8-of-18 passes for 106 yards for the Cougars.

EL CAPITAN 35, WEST HILLS 0 – Maligned a bit through a hard-luck 2-4 start to his first season as a varsity starter, senior quarterback MARK SCHARFENBERG can now take his hard-earned place alongside El Capitan greats RYAN LINDLEY and TANNER RUST as the championship QB of the Grossmont North League.

And to top things off, Scharfenberg would be wearing two figurative crowns after Friday’s (Nov. 6) 35-0 dismantling of West Hills at Wendall R. Cutting Field. At halftime, with the Vaqueros commanding a 21-0 lead, Scharfenberg was named homecoming king to complement the lovely queen, senior CECILIE ARCAMO.

“I can’t compare them,” said Scharfenberg, who will celebrate his 18th birthday on Sunday. “Actually, the win is better. It was a real team effort. Everybody came together. Homecoming king just topped it off.”

For a team known for its ferocious defense – and rightfully so, considering the Vaqueros (6-4, 4-0) posted their second league shutout – Scharfenberg’s offense has put up some formidable numbers lately as El Capitan claimed its second consecutive league title and third in four years.

“It’s a balanced league,” El Capitan coach RON BURNER said. “Anybody can win it just about any year. But we’re in a position now where we’ve come to expect a league championship. Not being cocky, but that’s our expectation.”

Scharfenberg was 9-of-19 passing for 95 yards, including a 25-yard scoring strike to junior tight end ROBERT CRAIGHEAD on a fourth-and-12 play-action pass through the middle of the West Hills defense.

“That was awesome,” Scharfenberg said. “Fake on the screen; look for the big guy over the middle. It worked a couple of weeks ago, and it was wide open again tonight.”

Craighead, East County ’s second-leading receiver with 32 receptions coming in, had three catches for 36 yards, plus four bruising carries out of the wildcat formation for 11 yards, including a 1-yard scoring plunge to give him 11 touchdowns for the season.

Senior running back MATT BURKETT, coming off a career-high four TD performance in a 42-26 victory over El Cajon Valley last week, added two more TDs this week.

His 4-yard thrust over right tackle gave El Cap a 7-0 lead after the first 11 plays of the game. He also closed the scoring with a 16-yard dash up the middle off a key block from junior NICK VANNOY. It was Burkett’s 12th rushing TD of the year and his final carry of the game (15 for 58 yards) as El Capitan unloaded its bench after assuming its 35-0 lead with 3:00 remaining in the third quarter.

In total, the Vaqueros rushed 42 times for 173 yards and passed for 117 as sophomore R.J. FAULKNER relieved Scharfenberg and was 3-for-3 for 21 yards. BROOKS NOBLE led the Vaqueros with five catches for 42 yards, plus he was 5-for-5 on PATs.

“The offensive line played an outstanding game,” Burner said. “We have a pretty darn good defense – obviously with the shutout. The defense came to play. But the offense also played well. They’ve really come together the past few weeks. It’s nice to have that balance.”

While the offense did its job well, credit too must be given to the Vaqueros’ defense and special teams for setting up some short fields. El Capitan started its first offensive series at the West Hills’ 41-yard line, thanks to a 28-yard kickoff return by RYAN McBURNEY and a 15-yard penalty against the Wolf Pack. Eleven plays later, touchdown.

The Vaqueros’ next possession started at the West Hills’ 49. Ten plays later, touchdown.

Their fourth possession started at the West Hills’ 44. Eight plays later, touchdown.

West Hills’ first four possessions went three-and-out, three-and-out, three-and-out, and two-and-interception by McBurney. The Wolf Pack did not gain a first down until GARY ISAACSON connected with KYLE VELOVICH on a 14-yard pass play with 1:11 left before halftime. An offside penalty on fourth down gave West Hills its second first down. But on first-and-10 from the 22-yard line, El Capitan safety BUBBA PROUTY ended West Hills’ only real scoring threat of the night with an interception at the 2-yard line. It was Prouty’s seventh interception of the season, tying teammate JAMES GALLIVAN for the East County lead.

West Hills’ next pass was also picked off, only this was the first play of the third quarter, and senior linebacker DILLIAN SCHLOTTER returned the interception 20 yards for a stunning TD and a 28-0 lead. It was an extra special 18th birthday present for Schlotter.

El Capitan allowed only two first downs in the second half (for a total of five), and the last one came with 1:32 to play. West Hills could manage only 98 yards of total offense.

While El Capitan has a bye next week before hosting a first-round Division III playoff game in two weeks, the Wolf Pack (4-4-1, 1-1-1) will uneven its record either way next week at Grossmont and look for an at-large berth into the Division II playoffs.

“We didn’t come to play, I guess,” West Hills coach CASEY ASH said. “What you saw is how it was. They totally dominated us.

“I thought we had a nice week of practice. I thought we prepared better than this.”

Big numbers were few for West Hills. The Wolf Pack totaled only 28 yards on 17 rushes and 65 yards on 11-for-20 passing.

The Pack’s KYLE VELOVICH had 4 receptions for 33 yards. Quarterback ADRIAN MARAZITI completed 5-of-7 passes for 30 yards, while GARY ISAACSON hit 6-of-13 passes for 35 yards. Isaacson suffered three interceptions.

Prouty noted the Vaqueros’ preparation, too.

“We really wanted this, especially on homecoming,” he said. “We came in with a lot of intensity and really got after it. I was really impressed with the offense. They had a really good week of practice. They’re really improving. That’s what we need going into the playoffs.”

HELIX 49, GRANITE HILLS 17 – JAKE REED is back, and that’s good news for the Helix Highlanders. The junior quarterback racked up 308 yards total offense, leading the Highlanders to their highest scoring output of the season in Friday night’s (Nov. 6) Grossmont South League action in La Mesa.

Reed, who is coming off a midseason high ankle sprain, seemed to catch his stride as he rushed for 111 yards on 9 carries. He also completed 10-of-17 passes for 197 yards and 4 touchdowns. Two of Reed’s scoring aerials went to AUSTIN GONZALEZ for 33 and 45 yards.

“Jake did well,” said Helix coach TROY STARR. “Hopefully he’s back on track.”

Gonzalez, who began the season on defense, has become one of the Highlanders’ top offensive threats. He caught 4 passes for 98 yards and now averages an East County high 20.6 yards per catch.

Starr said, “He’s become our go-to guy. He goes after the ball with a passion. If it’s in the air, he wants it.”

SEAN LINTON reeled in a 10-yard pass from Reed, and RAYMONT NAILON scored on a 7-yard run, giving the Highlanders (6-3, 2-2 GSL) a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter. Reed later found CAMERON LEE with a 7-yard scoring strike to make it 21-3 in the 2nd quarter.

Nailon, who has spent most of the season on defense, scored his second rushing TD in the 3rd quarter with a 1-yard plunge.

CHRIS HUNTER, one of the many Helix sophomores, pitched in with 69 yards on 9 rushes. He also had a 29-yard kickoff return.

Sophomore kicker VAN SABIN was 7-for-7 on PAT kicks.

Sophomore DARRION HANCOCK, formerly the junior varsity starting quarterback, contributed 71 yards and a touchdown on 6 rushes as Helix turned the game into a blowout.

“Our young guys are starting to get the seasoning they need,” Starr said. “They’re a lot tougher and faster than at the beginning.”

CASEY SMITH and ARTHUR SHEPPARD registered 2 sacks apiece to pace the Helix defense.

For Granite Hills CORY LOCKMAN completed 15-of-27 passes for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns.

FREDDY HALTON returned to the Eagles’ lineup after missing two starts with injuries to rush for 105 yards on 15 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 21 yards.

As if losing its fifth straight game wasn’t bad enough, Granite Hills (3-6, 0-4 GSL) also lost versatile senior playmaker BRIAN CARROLL when he went down in the 1st quarter with a knee injury.

Granite Hills coach RANDY DeWITT said, “Brian is our captain and is the heart and soul of our team. I told the team at halftime we needed 24 hard minutes from them. I said, ‘We’re going to come out and kick an onside kick and we’re going to recover it and score. And we did.”

Lockman used the recovered kick to find DYLAN RUBIO on a 26-yard pass for the Eagles’ second score of the night.

“Then we tried another onside kick but Helix was ready for it,” DeWitt said. “Helix, of all the teams we’ve played this year, had the best defense we’ve seen all year. Their speed on defense was just too much for us to overcome. I’m pleased with the way we played in the 2nd half. We came out and played hard and with a lot of enthusiasm.”

GILBERT PEREZ led the Eagles receivers with 6 catches for 52 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass from Lockman.

MOUNT MIGUEL 28, MONTE VISTA 21 – Although TOM KARLO probably won’t admit it, the Mount Miguel head coach had to be concerned in the 4th quarter of Friday’s (Nov. 6) Spring Valley City rivalry began with his team down 21-14.

Bottom line, it was time for the Matadors to prove whether they are a worthy playoff contender or just another team.

Mount Miguel came to life during the final 12 minutes. And who would they rather have at the forefront than record-breaking running back DERALL HUNTER. The senior workhorse, who was limited to 82 yards on 23 carries, managed to score 3 touchdowns including one in the 4th quarter as Mount Miguel improved to 6-2-1, 2-1-1 in the GSL.

“I told the kids all week about playing at a high level this week,” said Karlo. “We came out a little flat. We needed to react better coming out after the Steele Canyon game (a 21-21 tie).

“In the 2nd half we did a good job of settling down and asserting ourselves. Our defense stepped up well after we scored in the 4th quarter. We controlled Monte Vista’s offense.”

The Matadors, who have a shot at a possible first round home game in the San Diego CIF Division III playoffs, nearly stumbled as Monte Vista took a 21-14 lead in the 3rd quarter on the passing of MAURICE PAYNE.

The senior passer connected with SHERVIN IRANIHA with a 26-yard scoring pass and then drilled TONY JACKSON in the endzone to make it 21-14 in favor of the Monarchs (2-7, 1-3 GSL).

“Shervin stood out on offense, and Tony Jackson finally played like the senior he is on defense,” said Monarchs coach PAGE CULVER. “We played really hard – best game we’ve played all year.”

It was the second TD hookup between Payne and Iraniha, as the duo covered 28 yards for a touchdown that snapped a 7-7 tie in the 2nd quarter. Payne also opened the scoring with a 23-yard scoring launch to Jackson in the 1st period.

Not to be overlooked was Mount Miguel quarterback and field general A.J. STANFORD, who completed 10-of-13 passes for 120 yards. The senior southpaw also scrambled for 29 yards on 10 carries.

Sophomore DERRICK DUNN also infused some energy into Mount Miguel ’s running game, averaging nearly 10 yards on 6 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run.

Monte Vista had one last chance but ran out of downs with 3:44 left in the game.

“We were deep in our own territory so we punted to them but we could not get the ball back,” Culver lamented.

No Monte Vista stats were available.

GROSSMONT 28, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 – What Grossmont coach RON MURPHY saw from his Foothillers in Friday night’s (Nov. 6) Grossmont North League is kind of what he’s hoped for all year.

Better late than never.

DESEAN WATERS, who rushed for 333 yards and 5 touchdowns a week ago, bolted for 150 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries as the visiting Foothillers (4-5, 2-1 GNL) produced a surprisingly easy victory over the Braves (1-6-1, 0-2-1 GNL).

While Waters’ offensive stats were once again impressive, due to the caliber of the Braves’ passing game, he was asked to also play corner for more than three-quarters of the game.

“He’s a special athlete,” Murphy said. “Even when he’s tired he gives it his all.”

Murphy also praised quarterback TYLER MUTTER, who completed 8-of-12 passes for 125 yards, including an 11-yard storing strike to BRETT ETHERTON to stake Grossmont to a 14-0 halftime lead. Etherton also caught a 37-yard pass from Mutter but was tackled at the 1-yard line, setting the stage for Grossmont’s initial score. Mutter then scored his first touchdown of the season on a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line.

“The thing that’s really helped us is Mutter has allowed only one interception in the last five weeks,” Murphy said. “He’s really coming on strong here at the end.”

After a 26-yard scoring run by Waters extended the Foothillers’ lead to 21-0, CODY SOS picked off an ALEX HANN pass and returned it for a touchdown.

“If we can beat West Hills (in next week’s finale) we’ll end up 5-5,” Murphy said. “With that record I don’t see how they can keep us out of the (SDCIF Division II) playoffs.”

El Cajon Valley, which hasn’t won since opening day, came into this game averaging more than 23 points a game. But the Braves could muster only 108 yards total offense against the Foothillers.

“Grossmont gave us a fit with their defense,” said El Cajon Valley coach DANNY GOODRICH, as his team was shutout for the first time. “They kept us out of synch all night. We had trouble picking up their blitzes. They kept changing up their schemes. Their big plays hurt us.”

Added Murphy, “They’ve got some talented players, no doubt about it. That quarterback (Alex Hann) is a throwback. He’s a pretty darn good quarterback and an excellent linebacker. You put him together with all the speed they have and you have to think we did a pretty good job shutting them out. I think the key was we didn’t give up any big plays.”

Realizing that his playoff hopes are all but gone, Goodrich still found time to praise his defense.

“Alex Hann and KENDALL CONLEY both played well on defense,” he said. “I thought we played pretty good defense tonight.”

“Some might not have thought what we were doing to be all that exciting, but we did what we wanted to do – run the football and keep their offense off the field,” said Christian offensive coordinator MIKE MITCHELL. “Besides, running the football is what we do best.”

STEVEN PITTS (17 carries, 97 yards) and TYRONE SAULS (13-94) were the mainstays of a Christian rushing force that netted 252 yards on 49 carries. MARTIN RUIZ (9-60) and MALCOLM MURPHY (8-32) also contributed to the rushing total, with Murphy’s 3-yard charge to the end zone giving the Patriots (6-3, 2-1 CL) a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter.

“We ran about every different running play in the book... inside, outside, misdirection, dives…” Mitchell said. “We wanted to burn the clock and were able to do so.”

Mitchell said Bishop’s spent most of the night with nine men in the box.

“But we were determined to run the ball anyway – just kept grinding it out.”

Christian, which hosts Coastal League kingpin Francis Parker in next week’s regular season finale, attempted only six passes, completing two. One of those was a second quarter scoring pass of 7 yards from ERICK ALLEN to SHANE DILLON staking the Patriots to a 14-0 advantage by intermission.

“It was our homecoming and it’s kind of important to win at homecoming. We dominated the game in the 1st half,” said Christian head coach MATT OLIVER. “We came out with a lot of intensity. We were just trying to run the ball, control the clock and play defense.

“Sauls and Pitts both played really, really well – were very physical. They stepped up like they should.”

Sauls accounted for Christian’s only touchdown in the second half when he recovered a fumble in the end zone in the 4th quarter.

Pitts picked off his 4th pass of the season, while BERNARD ROYAL also pirated a Bishop’s pass.

CALVIN CHRISTIAN 14, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 10 – In a performance often mirroring the teams' 2008 encounter to decide the Southern League championships, this time, the Escondido based Crusaders were able to make the late defensive stops needed down the stretch.

Buoyed by a pair of sacks by defensive end Joe Cavellier over the final five minutes, Calvin Christian was able to corral Knights quarterback GARRET CAMPBELL just enough to secure the school's first-ever league championship following a 14-10 decision.

The contest was played at Escondido High's Wilson Stadium in the Crusaders' final off-site home game; they will dedicate a lighted, on-campus facility next week against Borrego Springs.

"It was heart-breaking last year, but the seniors really carried us," said Cavellier, who finished with 3.5 sacks. "We did a great job on Campbell, who was the one guy we had to stop in order to win."

A year ago, Crusaders quarterback Jake Bons could only watch in disappointment when Campbell booted a field goal at the final gun to secure a 16-14 victory, giving Foothills Christian its first-ever league crown.

"It was hard for me and my fellow students to sit there and watch Foothills win on the last play," noted Bons, a junior. "And I couldn't do anything about it because I was running cross country last fall -- I wasn't even playing football."

However, the Crusaders football coaches quickly noticed the growing underclassman, who now stands at 6-foot-4. On Friday (Nov. 6), Bons accounted for all of his team's points with rushing touchdowns of 47 and 7 yards, while booting both conversions, too.

Bons' first score made it 7-3 early in the second quarter. However, Campbell bounced right back by returning the kickoff 99 yards to reclaim the lead at 10-7.

"When there's a hole, I just go," noted Campbell, who raced up the middle, then cut to the left sideline on his coast-to-coast jaunt.

For Campbell, he extended his CIF San Diego Section record with his 11th career touchdown on a kickoff runback. It was also the second time Campbell went the maximum number of yards for a score, equaling his feat against La Jolla Country Day in 2008.

CalHiSports.com, which coordinates and publishes the state record book, does not (currently) have a listing for kickoff return scores.

Bons answered with the only score of the second half after first preventing Foothills Christian from extending its lead and getting a break from the officials.

The Knights opened the second half by moving the ball into Calvin territory, when Campbell busted loose on a 49-yard run to the end zone. However, a penalty cut the yardage in half and nullified the score. Four plays later, Bons leaped high to intercept a Campbell pass for a turnover at the Crusaders 7.

The quarterback then guided Calvin Christian on a massive 16-play, 93-yard drive, capped by a Bons keeper around left tackle to the end zone with five seconds left in the third quarter. The march took 7:59 off the clock.

"We wanted to prove how good we are after we started the season 0-3," added Bons.

Two possessions later, Foothills, which registered just a single first down in the first half, marched as far as the Crusaders 10, but a Cavellier sack on fourth down ended the drive with 4:59 remaining.

The Knights forced a late punt to get the ball back, but Cavellier and Spencer Broek sacked Campbell for an 8-yard loss, then a 4th-and-18 pass was deflected away by Calvin cornerback Drew Coffman with 1:28 remaining to clinch the league title.

Foothills opened the scoring when Calvin muffed a punt, which was recovered by LUKE VAN NORTWICK at the 5. However, the Knights had to settle for a 20-yard field goal by Campbell.

The setback overshadowed a nice defensive effort by Foothills Christian (5-4, 5-1 SL).

"We all played hard, but we lost to a team that wanted it just as much, especially after losing last year on a last-second field goal," said linebacker CODY LEWIS, a senior co-captain for the Knights. "The better team won today."

Bons finished with 129 rushing yards for Calvin (6-3, 6-0 SL), while passing for an additional 62 yards, while David Estelle ran 17 times for 93 yards.

For Foothills, Campbell was limited to 31 yards on the ground, plus 64 more through the air. He also averaged 44.0 yards on four punts, plus posted 121 yards in total returns.

PREDICTIONS
Valhalla in position for first-ever league title
Steele Canyon also seeks the final GSL crown

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (11-04-09) — Late-season games don’t get much better than this. Visiting Valhalla (6-2, 3-0) can clinch its first Grossmont League championship in the 35-year history of the varsity football program when the Norsemen visit Steele Canyon (5-2-1, 2-0-1) on Friday (Nov. 13) at 7 p.m.

“We are glad it has come down to this,” said Steele Canyon coach RON BOEHMKE. “For us this is a must-win for the league championship. I think we are evenly matched; we just have different emphasis on how to get the job done.”

There are no secrets involved here. Valhalla depends on Arizona State-bound QB PETE THOMAS, who rates as one of the top passers in the state. He has a bundle of glue-handed receivers to focus in on. RB TRIAVONNE BROWN has emerged as one of East County’s most explosive rushers which makes the Norsemen’s offense more balanced.

Valhalla High quarterback Pete Thomas (right) gets stellar pass protections from Norsemen lineman Kevan McDougal in action earlier this season against West Hills. (Photo supplied by Valhalla High School)

Steele Canyon has a power-packed running punch of ALEX PERLIN and JAKE WRAGG plus quarterback BRAD BOEHMKE, who is gradually coming into his own.

“Our offense has really developed,” coach Boehmke said. “We have a good mix. Our zone style blocking is solid and we have been able to take advantage of the speed we have off the edge.”

Not to be lost in the shuffle for the title is the Jamacha Helmet, the symbolic trophy that is awarded to the winner of this annual skirmish.

“Winning the Jamacha Helmet is kinda dwarfed compared to capturing the league championship,” coach Boehmke said. “Our kids know what’s at stake. I think, I mean I hope, they want it all.”

Valhalla clubbed Steele Canyon 56-3 in two meetings last year. A blowout is highly unlikely in this year’s meeting... Valhalla 28-23.

“You always want to be in position to win a championship,” El Capitan coach RON BURNER said. “We know when we play West Hills it’s a rivalry, a battle every year.”

This year’s renewal is hard to call. The Vaqueros are still trying to find their offense, but have a rock solid defense.

“What we have this year is probably the best defense in school history,” Burner said. “I think when you sort out the figures we are allowing less than 10 points per game. Our kids are not only aggressive, they are smart. They know the scheme and execute it to the max.”

The ringleader of El Capitan ’s defensive unit is strong safety DOMINIC PROUTY, with a long line of quality support.

“I guess one of the big things we have going for us is we don’t have a whole lot of guys going both ways,” Burner said. “We try to play platoon football.”

On the flip side, West Hills has eight players going both ways.

Junior quarterback GARY ISAACSON is back at full strength as is 325-pound tackle JAKE PETERSON. The resurgence of running back ALAN PARKS packs some speed in the Wolf Pack attack as well.

“We have to win out (beat El Cap and Grossmont),” West Hills coach CASEY ASH said. “We are going to try to stop the run and screen game, but we’ve had a lotta sickness with the flu this week.”

West Hills leads this series 12-7, but El Capitan has won the last two meetings – 13-6 and 34-20. This go-round will be a tight one, too... El Capitan 20-12.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN (5-3, 5-0) at CALVIN CHRISTIAN (5-3, 5-0), 7 – For the second time in as many seasons the Southern League championship will be decided between these two teams Friday (Nov. 6) in Escondido. A year ago the Knights won 16-14 when Knights quarterback GARRET CAMPBELL kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired.

The do-it-all Campbell accounted for 331 all-purpose yards in that victory and probably will need to produce a similar number this time around. He’ll have some quality help from guys like wide receiver-defensive back ZACH CUMMINGS, defensive back-receiver JUSTIN ESSELSTROM and linebacker-running back CALEB GARDNER.

Injuries led to a slow start for Foothills, but the Knights have since gained a clean bill of health and have rolled to five consecutive wins... Foothills Christian 21-14.

GRANITE HILLS (3-5, 0-3) at HELIX (5-3, 1-2), 7 – Making the playoffs remains a possibility for the Highlanders, who’ll be facing a must-win situation.

Quarterback JAKE REED appears to be back at full stride after suffering a high ankle sprain early in the season. Together with CHRIS HUNTER the Highlanders have a respectable ground attack.

Reed is also an on-the-money passer with quality receivers SEAN LINTON, AUSTIN GONZALEZ and CAMERON LEE.

Scoring hasn’t been a problem for Granite Hills, which, despite a four-game losing streak, averages 30 points per outing. The Eagles woes have come from a leaky defense where they are surrendering 25.5 points per game.

The Highlanders have won 12 of the last 13 meetings, including a 54-17 blowout a year ago.. Helix 33-17.

GROSSMONT (3-5, 1-1) at EL CAJON VALLEY (1-5-1, 0-1-1), 6:30 – Both teams like to believe they are still on the bubble for making the playoffs. That may prove true for Grossmont if the Foothillers close out of the campaign at the .500 level.

El Cajon Valley, meanwhile, is more of a long shot. Yet, if the Braves can sweep their final two (including Santana next week) who knows if that will be inviting enough for the San Diego CIF playoff committee to award them a post-season berth.

A year ago, the Foothillers scored 35 points in the second quarter of a 49-7 blowout.

When these clubs square off Friday (Nov. 6) at El Cajon Valley, it could be a high scoring contest again. Grossmont junior DESEAN WATERS is coming off a record-breaking game of 333 yards and 5 touchdowns on 42 rushes. QB TYLER MUTTER has straightened out his aim and BRETT ETHERTON is a sure-handed receiver.

Just because El Cajon Valley and its “Five Wide” is so explosive this should be an interesting game. QB ALEX HANN is an underrated passer and runner. The return of receiver ANTHONY JACKSON coupled with JOHNNY BULLOCK and PATRICK JOHNSON makes the Braves one of East County ’s top offenses.

This is one of the longest running rivalries in East County where the symbolic trophy is the Peace Pipe. Grossmont has dominated the series 40-11-2. The Foothillers have won the last 9 games, limiting the Braves to one TD in eight of those contests and compiled a composite 363-66 scoring edge during that streak.

No way will Grossmont win in runaway fashion this time... Grossmont 28-26.

MONTE VISTA (2-6, 1-2) at MOUNT MIGUEL (5-2-1, 1-1-1), 7 – Years ago, former Monte Vista (and now Southwestern College) coach ED CARBERRY dubbed this the annual joust for the “Spring Valley City” championship. Since then, Steele Canyon has included itself as a contestant for this mythical title, but the Matadors and Monarchs maintain that they are the original and primary combatants.

Mount Miguel, which leads the all-time series 26-22, had won three in a row before falling to the Monarchs 35-14 last year.

Despite the difference in records of the teams this year both believe they have a shot at postseason play in their future. Monte Vista, which closes the campaign against Steele Canyon, is a long shot.

The Matadors, who have most assuredly secured a playoff berth, haven’t written off winning the Grossmont South League title just yet. If they win their final two contests they could conceivably earn a tie for the loop laurels. That would be a long shot, but remains mathematically possible.

Led by versatile MAURICE PAYNE the Monarchs are looking for the upset. But Mount Miguel, which looks to a muscular defense and East County rushing leader DERALL HUNTER, doesn’t figure to fold... Mount Miguel 28-13.

THE BISHOP’S (6-2, 1-1) vs. CHRISTIAN (5-3, 1-1) at Granite Hills, Sat., 7 – Former Christian High quarterback JOEL ALLEN hopes to lead The Bishop’s to an upset of the Patriots and spoil the East County team’s homecoming on Saturday (Nov. 7) at Granite Hills in his first tour as the Knights’ head coach.

The Bishop’s has played a soft schedule with two of its victories coming against teams from Mexico. The Knights most impressive knockoff is a 53-34 romp over Horizon – a team Christian stomped 28-7.

The Patriots have too many weapons for The Bishop’s to contain, including a stout stable of running backs. The Patriots lead the all-time series 8-3-1, but the Knights have won two of the last three... Christian 31-14.

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