© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (11-14-09) — It wasn’t the Super Bowl of high school football. Nevertheless, it was pretty darn important to the Mount Miguel Matadors and their screaming fans.

The Matadors used a 34-7 second-quarter scoring spree to manhandle the host Helix Highlanders, 44-21, in Friday (Nov. 13) night’s Grossmont South League finale.

The Mount Miguel victory snapped a 19-game losing streak to the Highlanders (6-4, 2-3 GSL). The last time the Matadors finished on the top side of a game with Helix, most of the players in Friday’s game weren’t even born yet. It was 1987.

“That’s 22 years, baby!” crowed Mount Miguel quarterback A.J. STANFORD. “We’re gonna bring the Claymore Sword (the perpetual prize awarded to the annual winner of this rivalry) back where it belongs.”

DERALL HUNTER, Mount Miguel’s all-time career rusher brought the Matadors back from a 14-10 halftime deficit. The senior running back rushed for 330 yards and 5 touchdowns on 27 carries. Basically he did all of his damage in the 2nd half, rushing for 277 yards and all 5 scores on 17 carries.

“I started growing it three weeks ago when we won,” Karlo said of his beard. “So I decided to keep it.”

The Matadors completed 9 of 18 passes in the 1st half, including a go-ahead 38-yard scoring strike from Stanford to BRYANT MITCHELL. After intermission Mount Miguel went to the air only twice, completing one for 34 yards.

That’s because Hunter took over – and there was no need to pass.

“We decided at halftime our big O-line and our running backs were better than (Helix’) front seven,” Karlo said. “So we wanted to pound it in the 2nd half and you saw what happened. Our seniors won the league as freshmen and this game has been talked about all year. I think what you saw was willpower. We just did what we do best – run the ball.”

Hunter’s 330 rushing total was 8 yards shy of the school record he set a year ago.

“We just tore them apart in the 2nd half,” Hunter said. “The D-line is the heart of their defense, but our guys up front just stepped up and knocked them out of the way and we made history. Twenty-two years is a long time. I knew we could get ‘em, and we got ‘em.

“A lot of people said we were going to lose to Helix because we always do,” Hunter continued. “That was our motivation.”

Hunter scored on runs of 1, 6, 7, 83 and 70 yards as the Matadors turned the game into a blowout in the 2nd half.

“That was a pounding,” Helix coach TROY STARR said. “They just ran over us.”

Mount Miguel totaled 534 yards on the night. Stanford was 9 of 19 passing for 115 yards and also rushed for 41 yards on 10 carries.

“Our ultimate plan was to run the ball down their throats because their DBs were sitting back there waiting for us pass,” Stanford said.

Helix quarterback JAKE REED completed 16 of 31 passes for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns. He did most of his damage in the 1st half, which included scoring strikes to CAMERON LEE (19 yards) and SEAN LINTON (29 yards). Lee led the Highlanders with 6 catches for 99 yards and Linton had 4 receptions for 87 yards.

In the 2nd half Helix simply could not take the ball away from the Matadors, and when they did it wasn’t until the 4th quarter that they earned their initial 1st down of the half.

“We got the ball in the red zone three times and came away with no points,” Starr said. “You can’t do that against a good team and expect to win. We needed to drive the ball offensively and we didn’t do that.”

Consider this one mission accomplished.

Behind three touchdown runs from all-league running back ALEX PERLIN and a pair of scoring passes from BRAD BOEHMKE, Steele Canyon decidedly knocked off the Monarchs 35-14 at Monte Vista.

“We told the guys we wanted to get back the rhythm we had when we were going good,” Cougars coach RON BOEHMKE said. “We just weren’t playing as clean a football in those couple of games (a 21-21 tie against Mount Miguel and a 14-7 loss to league champion Valhalla ).”

You want rhythm? The Cougars scored the first four times they had the ball to assume a commanding 28-0 lead. An 8-yard TD pass from the Monarchs’ MAURICE PAYNE to TONY JACKSON on the final play of the first half made it 28-7.

Perlin all but sealed the victory with a 65-yard TD run five minutes into the third quarter.

“We needed this, especially after the Valhalla game,” said Perlin, who finished with 112 yards on 16 carries.

Monte Vista (2-8, 0-5) needed a win and likely some help to gain an at-large berth in the playoffs. They didn’t get it, but SHERVIN IRANIHA did get a school record. With 11 catches for 135 yards, the junior receiver broke the Monte Vista record for most receptions in a season with 46. The old mark of 44 was set by KENNY CARROLL in 1981.

Iraniha’s 11 receptions is also a Monte Vista game record, breaking the mark of 10 shared by Carroll (vs. Grossmont, 1981) and TRAVIS SPATTER (vs. Mira Mesa, 1990). In his last two games Iraniha had 19 receptions for 263 yards.

With the win, the Cougars (6-3-1, 3-1-1) clinched a tie for second in league heading into the playoffs.

“I love our chances,” Perlin said. “I feel we can beat any team in Division III.”

Steele Canyon played this one without talented running back JAKE WRAGG, who was nursing an injured shoulder but is expected to be back for the playoffs.

“Obviously when you have a talent like him you miss him in the lineup,” Perlin said. “But BRANDON WATSON played great in his place, blocking and running. That was big.”

With Watson gaining 30 yards on six carries and nine other rushers gaining 56 yards, the Cougars gained 186 yards rushing on 39 carries.

Boehmke added 147 yards on 9-of-14 passing with no interceptions and two TD passes.

“He’s getting better,” said Boehmke of his son, the junior QB for the Cougars. “The receivers are getting better. I think we’re getting better as far as how we want to attack on offense.”

It helps, too, when the opposing team gives up the ball on their own 28-yard line – as did Monte Vista after a bouncing punt snap forced the Monarchs’ punter to field the ball with a knee on the ground. That’s a dead ball in high school.

Six plays later, Perlin scored easily from 3 yards out. On Steele’s next possession, Perlin capped the 7-play, 62-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run.

Two plays later, the Cougars’ offense was back in business as TEDDY COTHRON intercepted near midfield and returned it 14 yards.

“It was a bad throw,” Cothron said. “I just came up and took advantage of it.”

Six plays later, Boehmke connected with CODY SIMPSON on a short hook pattern. Simpson then made a nifty spin move and slipped behind the defense for a 31-yard TD play.

A few minutes later, TAYLOR MISHLER made a similar catch-and-run that also went for a 31-yard TD.

Though lopsided at this point, Monte Vista put some intrigue into the game with a 79-yard drive over the final 0:48 of the first half. The big play was a 42-yard pass from Payne to Iraniha.

Steele Canyon initially thought it had preserved the shutout when Watson intercepted a pass in the end zone, but the Cougars were called for roughing the passer. That put the ball on the 8-yard line with 4.5 seconds on the clock, and Payne found Jackson in the back right corner of the end zone for an easy score.

Payne and Jackson also hooked up for a 10-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Payne finished with 236 yards on 22-of-36 passing with one interception. He also led the Monarchs with 48 yards on 10 carries.

“They’re a good team,” Monte Vista coach PAGE CULVER said. “Nobody in this district is too much better than anyone else. But they were much better tonight.”

Next year, Culver said, “We have to learn to be more consistent and get more leadership out of our senior class.”

VALHALLA 49, GRANITE HILLS 14 – Ten Valhalla receivers caught 21 passes for 402 yards and 3 touchdowns Friday night (Nov. 13) at Granite Hills, as the Norsemen produced 571 total yards (on 51 plays averaging 11.2 yards per touch) in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Valhalla senior TRAIVONNE BROWN scored 3 rushing TDs, caught a pass for a 49-yard gain and averaged over 15 yards per carry (10-152), as he led the Grossmont South League champion (for the first time in the school's 35-year history) Norsemen (8-2, 5-0 GSL) to the lopsided victory.

While the Norsemen were piling up yards and points at will, the Valhalla defense was limiting Granite Hills to 174 yards total offense. The victory is the 6th straight for Valhalla, which certainly enhances the Norsemen’s opportunity to obtain home-field advantage during the playoffs, with seeding to take place on Saturday (Nov. 14).

Valhalla scored the first five touchdowns in the game to lead 35-0 by halftime.

“This was a fun game,” said Valhalla senior quarterback PETE THOMAS, who completed 12 of 14 passes for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns in an abbreviated stint. “It was good to get everyone involved in this game.”

Nobody was more involved than running back Traivonne Brown.

“He’s as good as any running back in East County,” Thomas said. “He just doesn’t get the publicity because people think of us only as a passing offense.”

Valhalla, ranked No. 8 in the San Diego CIF’s most publicized poll, expects to earn a Top 4 seed – probably as high as No. 2.

“I think we deserve to be No. 2 (behind Oceanside),” Thomas said.

Valhalla scored its first touchdown when offensive lineman JAMIE DeCAROLIS sprung Traivonne Brown around the right side, where he sprinted 71 yards to paydirt. After Thomas kicked the first of his seven PATs, Valhalla led 7-0 just a minute and four seconds into the game.

Valhalla defensive back KYLE HOYT spoiled the Eagles’ next possession, picking off an errant pass at mid-field. Thomas quickly got the Norsemen offense rolling again, hitting NINO MALLORY with a strike for a 27-yard gain. Following a penalty, and with a first-and-21 from the Granite 29-yard line, Thomas spotted wide receiver MATT SWANGER open in the endzone, but Eagles' defensive back NATE HUFF quickly recovered and broke up the pass at the last second.

That small victory was short-lived, however because two plays later Thomas hooked up with Mallory for a 20-yard TD pass, increasing the Norsemen’s lead to 14-0.

Things got worse for Granite Hills (3-7, 0-5 GSL) on the ensuing kickoff when Hoyt jarred the ball loose from the returner and recovered the fumble, giving the Norsemen the ball at the Eagles' 37-yard line. Four plays later, Traivonne Brown barged into the endzone on a 4-yard scamper. Valhalla led 21-0 with 5:09 remaining in the initial period.

On its next possession, Granite Hills still couldn't generate any offense, once again having to punt after just three plays. Valhalla took over, with sophomore quarterback JOE KENNEDY getting some reps in preparation for next year, when Thomas goes to the next level at Arizona State . It didn't take the neophyte to get warm up; he threw a dart to another sophomore, wide receiver JEVON HASTEN, who jetted 67 yards for yet another touchdown, making it 28-0 at the 2:41 mark of the first quarter.

Vahalla's defense did not allow the Eagles offense a first down until the second quarter, and until Valhalla led 35-0 after Thomas connected with Swanger for a 19-yard TD pass on the opening drive of the second quarter. In the first half Valhalla had 332 yards of total offense to Granite Hills’ 34 yards.

The second half started much like the first – Traivonne Brown scored quickly on a 25-yard run, increasing the blowout to 42-0.

Following a 60-yard kickoff return by Huff, Granite Hills finally started a drive in Valhalla territory, at the 37-yard line. A pass interference penalty resulted in a first down at the Norsemen 17-yard line. Two plays later, Eagles junior quarterback CORY LOCKMAN had a pass deflected by Valhalla defensive back KWEISHI BROWN – right into the open arms of wide receiver GILBERT PEREZ who streaked into the endzone, making it 42-7.

With Thomas and Kennedy splitting offensive series, Valhalla scored two plays into the 4th quarter when Thomas found Hasten open in the endzone for a 23-yard touchdown, making it 49-7.

Granite Hills scored a late touchdown on a 7-yard run by junior running back FREDDY HALTON, making the final score 49-14. Halton finished with 75 yards on 15 rushes as Valhalla 's defense limited the Eagles to 151 yards of total offense.

Kennedy, in his most extensive play of the season, completed 9 of 11 passes for 184 yards.

Combining his running and catching, Traivonne Brown churned up 201 yards in just 11 touches. Valhalla defensive end SHANE PENNIX added another quarterback sack to his portfolio, increasing his total to 12 in 10 games.

“This was a tough way to go out, on senior night,” said Granite Hills coach RANDY DEWITT. “ Valhalla played us really hard. That’s why they are the league champs this year. Valhalla is not just an offensive quality team. They have some big studs on defense who just flew around and caused us all kinds of problems.”

GROSSMONT 26, WEST HILLS 14 – A strong finish earned the Foothillers (5-5, 3-1) second place in the Grossmont North League and a possible first-round home game in next week’s opening round of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs.

Grossmont led visiting West Hills (4-5-1, 1-2-1) only 10-0 at intermission, but maintained its advantage behind the steady running of DESEAN WATERS and the pinpoint passing of TYLER MUTTER to gain its third straight victory.

Waters rambled for 125 yards and a 3-yard TD scamper on 25 carries. Mutter scored on a 2-yard run in his only carry and was not sacked.

“ Tyler was sacked only once in our four league games and has thrown only one pick in our last six games,” beamed Grossmont coach RON MURPHY. “We made some changes in offense and Tyler has really benefitted from them. We’ve given him good protection and he has responded.”

Mutter completed 19 of 25 passes for 229 yards, including a 16-yard TD strike to BRETT ETHERTON. He was not intercepted.

Etherton finished with eight catches for 111 yards, while DIMITRI SCOTT hauled in five aerials for 74 yards.

Waters logged 175 all-purpose yards.

Punter LANDON RIVERS averaged 41 yards on four kicks to keep West Hills pinned down. JOEY ACOSTA contributed a key 46-yard punt return and intercepted a pass. Waters also picked off a West Hills pass.

“I think we are playing pretty well right now,” Murphy said. “It’ll be nice to see what we can do in the playoffs.

West Hills’ touchdowns came on a 4-yard run by NICK McDANIEL and a 7-yard run by ANDREW TRAN.

“I thought we ran the ball pretty well tonight,” said West Hills coach CASEY ASH. “We broke off some big plays that led to our touchdowns. Unfortunately, we needed to break off a few more plays late in the game but were unable to do so.”

“We trailed 20-14 late in the 4th quarter,” Ash continued. “We had the ball in Grossmont territory and went for a 1st down on a 4th down, but a holding penalty killed us. We had to punt and they took the ball down the field and scored.”

No statistics were available for West Hills.

EL CAJON VALLEY 42, SANTANA 35 – ALEX HANN erupted for 330 total yards and 4 touchdown passes Friday night (Nov. 13) as the Braves closed the regular season with a Grossmont North League victory at Santana.

The senior southpaw completed 20 of 31 passes for 258 yards, including 2 fourth-quarter touchdown strikes to ANTHONY “Action” JACKSON.

Actually, it was Jackson ’s 3rd touchdown in the final period – a 56-yard interception return – that gave El Cajon Valley a 36-28 lead with 5:07 remaining.

On the night, Jackson caught a 28-yard TD pass from Hann in the 3rd quarter and a pair of 6-yard scoring strikes in the 4th.

ANTONIO LOMAS also intercepted a Santana pass, returning it 72 yards for a touchdown with 3:58 left in the 3rd quarter.

“It was a crazy way to end the season,” said El Cajon Valley coach DANNY GOODRICH. “This season was really a tumultuous one for us. We suited up only 23 players tonight for various reasons. This was a wild game offensively for both teams. We both moved the ball up and down the field at will. The interception TDs by Jackson and Lomas were huge plays for us in the 2nd half. They kept Santana from making a big comeback.”

PATRICK JOHNSON also scored a pair of touchdowns for the Braves in the 2nd quarter. The first one came on a 26-yard pass from Hann and the second on a 7-yard run. Yet El Cajon Valley, which was 0-for-7 on 2-point conversions tries, trailed 14-12 as Santana began its halftime homecoming ceremonies.

The Braves finished a misleading 2-6-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the GNL.

“It felt great to finish off the season with a win tonight,” Goodrich added. “It gave us something good to take into the offseason programs and some momentum to take us into next season.”

The Sultans made a game of it thanks to the passing of ZACH BREIDT, who completed 18 of 39 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns. He delivered scoring strikes of 60-yards and 4-yards to JUNIOR NUNEZ to earn the 1st half lead.

Nunez was a double threat for Santana (2-8, 0-4 GNL). He was the Sultans’ leading rusher with 44 yards, including a 20-yard scoring dash on 7 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 84 yards and the two scores.

Breidt, who racked up 350 total yards, also fired scoring aerials of 37 yards and 10 yards to JOHN BURKE.

JOSH BRENNER was Santana’s leading receiver with 5 catches for 85 yards.

FRANCIS PARKER 30, CHRISTIAN 0 – No surprises here. Yes, Coastal League-champion Francis Parker (8-2, 4-0) is that good.

The Christian High Patriots got a first-hand look at the speedy Lancers in Friday’s (Nov. 13) regular season finale at Valhalla . Parker, which figures to roll through the San Diego CIF Division V playoffs unscathed, dominated from start to finish.

However, Parker led only 7-0 at intermission.

“Then things got ugly,” said Christian offensive coordinator MIKE MITCHELL. “They are faster than us and their speed killed us.”

Christian (6-4, 2-2 CL), which finished third in the Costal League, managed to keep the ball away from Parker in the first half. In fact, the Patriots’ ground game – led by TYRONE SAULS (11 carries, 111 yards) and STEVEN PITTS (19-106) – totaled 257 yards on 40 carries for the night.

Through the air the Patriots were limited to 30 yards on 4-of-10 accuracy.

“All their kickoffs were into the end zone,” Mitchell noted. “So we started every drive at the 20-yard line.”

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 41, JULIAN 6 – Foothills Christian’s Southern League opponents are probably asking, "Is GARRET CAMPBELL a senior yet?"

Indeed he is. That’s bad news for the Knights (6-4, 6-1 SC) and no doubt good news for the rest of the circuit.

Campbell concluded the finale regular season game of his career with a bang. As usual, he had his hands in everything. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 240 yards, including touchdown connections of 30 and 40 yards to ZACH CUMMINGS. A 5-foot-10, 150 pound junior, Cummings had 6 receptions for 175 yards.

Campbell capped his passing finale with a 19-yard TD strike to JUSTIN ESSELSTROM.

Campbell led the Knights’ running game, averaging 10 yards on 8 carries. He scored on runs of 15 and 16 yards, pushing Foothills to a 28-6 halftime lead.

CODY LEWIS led Foothills’ defense with a pair of sacks and 8 tackles. CALEB GARDNER, who rushed for 35 yards on 6 carries, recovered a fumble and had a sack. RAFAEL GRAY had 2 fumble recoveries, J.R. ATTERBURY had a sack and A.J. HOFFMAN had the Knights’ only interception.

Matadors take a swing for the sword

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (11-12-09) — A couple of decades ago, the annual battle for the Claymore Sword used to rate as one of the more hotly contested rivalries.

Those swashbuckling encounters usually had championships and high stakes in the San Diego CIF playoffs on the line.

Since Helix (6-3, 2-2 GSL) has manhandled the Mount Miguel Matadors for 19 consecutive victories – Mount Miguel’s last win in the series coming in 1987 — the coveted Claymore Sword has been collecting dust in the Helix library.

The visiting Matadors (6-2-1, 2-1-1 GSL) may have the firepower to pry the Claymore off the wall when these teams collide on Friday (Nov. 13). That would be a major boost for Mount Miguel Division III playoff seedings. By the same token a defeat would force the Highlanders to begin Division II post-season activity on the road.

A year ago when these teams met, Helix breezed to a 35-0 halftime lead and then cruised to a 41-6 finish. No way will this year’s rematch be so lopsided.

Although Helix has been the dominant factor in this series, which awarded the Claymore Sword as the symbolic medal of victory, that trophy is all but unknown to the Mount Miguel followers. Not any more.... Mount Miguel 21-17.

VALHALLA (7-2, 4-0) at GRANITE HILLS (3-6, 0-4), 7 – This used to be a top drawer rivalry in years past, but Valhalla has won seven of the last eight meetings and should keep steamrolling in Friday’s (Nov. 13) Grossmont South League season-ender.

With its first Grossmont (South) League championship in the 35-year history of Valhalla, the Norsemen now must focus on fighting for a top four seed and a 1st round bye in the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs. A win over Granite Hills is a must.

The Norsemen have been mislabeled somewhat as they can do more than depend on Arizona State-bound quarter PETE THOMAS to shoulder the load. TRAIVONNE BROWN is a solid running back and the SHANE PENNIX-anchored Valhalla defense is much underrated.

After a 3-1 start, Granite Hills has lost five in a row. The Eagles have proven they can score on every team they play, but also have shown they cannot stop anybody. During its recent skid, Granite Hills has allowed close to 36 points per outing.

This is an easy one to call... Valhalla 42-21.

WEST HILLS (4-4-1, 1-1-1) at GROSSMONT (4-5, 2-1), 7 – Both of these teams will be jockeying for playoff positions in the San Diego Division II playoffs when they face off Friday (Nov. 13) in El Cajon.

Grossmont, which has won two in a row, looks to versatile DESEAN WATERS to pave the way. Waters has rushed for 483 yards and 6 touchdowns in the last two games. Sometimes he’s asked to double as a corner on defense, but may not be forced to do that this time, considering the youthful Foothillers’ defense has shown marked improvement.

A model of inconsistency, West Hills hit rock bottom last week in a 35-0 loss to Grossmont North League champion El Capitan.

Can the Wolf Pack get off the floor?... Grossmont 24-21.

STEELE CANYON (5-3-1, 2-1-1) at MONTE VISTA (2-7, 1-3), 7 — Coach PAGE CULVER’s Monarchs have battened down the hatches late in the season and are just aching to spoil somebody’s San Diego CIF playoff plans.

MAURICE “The Magician” PAYNE is Monte Vista’s leader and no doubt would love to close out his career with caging the Cougars Friday (Nov. 13) in Spring Valley.

Win or lose Steele Canyon will make the San Diego CIF Division III playoffs. Should the Cougars stumble over the Monarchs they would probably lose any chance at a home game.

Steele Canyon has beaten the Monarchs four years running by a composite score of 125-27. This could be a real wrestling match, but... Steele Canyon 28-7.

EL CAJON VALLEY (1-6-1, 0-2-1) at SANTANA (2-7, 0-3), 7 – The caliber of this El Cajon Valley team certainly is not reflected in its record. The Braves have offensive weapons galore, led by quarterback ALEX HANN and receiver ANTHONY JACKSON.

This could turn into a scoring free-for-all, although the Sultans should have trouble keeping up. Maybe a homecoming crowd on Friday (Nov. 13) will give Santana a boost.

Santana has won four of the last five meetings, but the trend won’t continue... El Cajon Valley 32-20.

CHRISTIAN (6-3, 2-1) vs. FRANCIS PARKER (7-2, 3-0), at Valhalla, 7 – This could be a preview of next month’s San Diego CIF Division V finals at Qualcomm Stadium. That is hardly good news for the Patriots who close the Coastal League against state power Francis Parker Friday (Nov. 13).

That’s right. Christian most likely will deal with Parker two times in the next five weeks. Even though the Patriots have won three of the last four meetings from the Deon Randall (2,159 yards, 28 TDs) led Lancers, the pick is... Francis Parker 34-3.

JULIAN (3-6, 2-4) vs. FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN (5-4, 5-1), at Seau Field, 6:30 – After dropping last week’s Southern League championship bout at Calvin Christian the Knights need to rebound against the Eagles on Friday (Nov. 13) to enhance their playoff seeding position. That shouldn’t be a problem... Foothills Christian 24-6.