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Oceanside ends Helix' dream run
Pirates capture record 6th straight title

© East County Sports.com
MISSION VALLEY (12-12-09) — Long before the 2009 season, Helix High coach TROY STARR knew his Highlanders were in a so-called rebuilding mode.

By the time the Highlanders reached Friday’s (Dec. 11) San Diego CIF Division II championship game at Qualcomm Stadium against perennial power Oceanside, Starr had introduced 15 sophomores into his starting lineup through the course of the season.

Helix (9-5) became the first team all season to score on its opening drive against undefeated and 5-time defending champion Oceanside in the Division II finals.

Despite holding on to an early 7-0 lead and displaying a defensive effort equal to any team in the San Diego Section all season, the Pirates still found a way to etch their name into the record books. In a battle decided on three keys plays, Oceanside rallied to claim an unprecedented sixth consecutive CIFSDS crown after stopping the Scotties, 26-10.

"It was just a great effort by both sides," added Starr. "Considering we started eight sophomores and a freshman (in this game) – they all played great – we were right there with them."

The difference came in the form of a pair of defensive touchdowns by Oceanside defensive back Devin Taverna. The senior recovered a fumble in the end zone on a botched punt to snap a 7-7 tie late in the second quarter – the PAT was blocked by RYAN SALAVEA – then raced 47 yards with an interception just 2:12 later to provide the Pirates with a 19-7 halftime lead.

"I was able to read my keys, looked to the ball and it came right to me," said Taverna, who added a second pick in the second half. "But Helix is a very, very good football team – they played just as hard as we do."

Such numbers further added to the postgame frustrations voiced by a Helix defense which yielded a mere 124 yards, forcing punts following 3-and-outs on six of the Pirates' first seven series.

"We knew we had to play big because Oceanside has such a great offense," said Salavea, a senior free safety who finished as one of Helix' top tacklers. "Our preparation and film work was there – we did everything we could do – but they took advantage of our turnovers."

The only sustained Pirates drive came on their final possession to prevent Helix from making a fourth-quarter comeback. Over the final 8:38 minutes, Oceanside kept the ball on the ground to run out all but the final 34 seconds.

"The defense played unbelievable," linebacker Helix KACY SMITH said. "Unfortunately, we didn't create any turnovers and our special teams didn't execute."

Along with Taverna's scores, Helix’ only other score came courtesy of a 29-yard VANN SABIN field goal to draw within 19-10 in the third period. Oceanside then added a third TD when Sam Nui blocked a punt and made the recovery in the end zone for the only touchdown of the second half.

"The coaches called 'blitz left'," Niu said. "I saw an opening – it was a huge hole – and I took off and blocked the ball."

The lone Highlanders touchdown came on a 6-play, 56-yard drive after JIMMY PRUITT returned the game-opening kickoff 37 yards.

Quarterback BRANDON LEWIS opened the march with a 21-yard completion to SEAN LINTON, then the combo capped the drive on a 10-yard pass to take the early lead. In between, running back DARION HANCOCK ran the ball three times for 28 yards. Hancock finished with 113 rushing yards on 25 carries, plus a pair of receptions.

Oceanside got even with 5:04 to play in the first quarter on a J.J. Whittaker run of 6 yards. Whittaker set up the score with an interception, one of six turnovers by Helix.

For the contest, Helix' offense outscored the top seeds, 10-7. However, the stingy Pirates defense went on to allow just 164 additional yards the rest of the way against a retooled Scotties offense with more than a half-dozen underclassmen.

"No, the changes really didn't affect the line much," noted senior center JAY BARLOW, the anchor to Helix' offensive line. "It's still our job to stay low, keep our knees bent and play with a lot of heart. We did that tonight."

Since the start of the decade, the teams have met six times in the title game. The lone Helix victory came in 2001, with Oceanside claiming titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, the last coming in a 23-19 decision.

Pirates head coach John Carroll now owns 10 overall crowns, part of the 12 in the school's history.

© East County Sports.com
MISSION VALLEY (12-10-09) — Traditional powers will meet Friday at 4:30 p.m., when Helix and Oceanside high schools once again tangle for the CIF Division II championship at Qualcomm Stadium.

However, the young Scotties of Helix, which finished in the bottom half of the standings in the final season of the Grossmont South League following a 4-4 start, have been on a tear since revamping their lineup with several standout underclassmen.

These ballclubs have met four times in the final over the past seasons seasons, all going to Oceanside during even-numbered years (2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008). The Highlanders (9-4), winners of three straight, last captured the CIF title in 2001, defeating – you guessed it – Oceanside, 41-30.

So, as for this 6th title-game meeting between the teams, choose the team wearing green and white (not white and green)... Oceanside 35-14.