WEEK TEN

Helix' Jimmy Pruitt races for a big gain against Granite Hills. (Photo by Ken Stone, La Mesa Patch.com) ADDITIONAL PICTURES HERE

Sauls' price for success: SDCIF record 7 TDs © East County Sports.com SAN LUIS OBISPO (11-6-10) — Senior TYRONE SAULS and his Christian High Patriots teammates probably won’t be invited back to San Luis Obispo all too soon after Friday’s (Nov. 5) memorable 48-26 walkover of the Mission Prep Royals. Actually, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Sauls may receive an engraved invitation if the Cal Poly-SLO Mustangs win the recruiting derby for the talented Patriot. Sauls scored seven touchdowns, rushed for 364 yards on 25 carries and finished with 454 all-purpose yards for Christian (5-4). Fact is, Sauls scored all the Patriots touchdowns – 6 came on rushes of 65, 12, 3, 8, 35 and 8. He also reeled in a 42-yard scoring aerial from quarterback SHANE DILLON. The seven touchdowns ties the San Diego Section record shared by nine others. “Good grief – what a night Sauls had,” exclaimed Christian head coach MATT OLIVER. “That gives him 12 touchdowns in the last two games. He was running over guys, trucking guys and just dragging people with his speed and power. If we would have just kept giving the ball to him he would have had more.” Sauls was humble when asked to review his performance. “Our offensive line was giving them a hard time and I mostly ran on an open field. They were trying to tackle me high and I just shook them off. “This was a break-through game for me, but really the only thing that matters is we won the game and got a little bit more momentum for the (SDCIF Division V) playoffs.” Sauls also had 66 yards on two receptions and returned a kickoff 24 yards. “He is a D-I prospect, that’s how it goes sometimes,” Mission Prep coach Chad Henry told The San Luis Obispo Tribune. “We couldn’t tackle him, he was like a train.” Dillon was 12 of 21 passing for 169 yards. JASON GAINES had 6 receptions for 39 yards, while WILL MARTIN had 2 catches for 34 yards and KYLE HARRIS grabbed a pair of aerials for 30 yards. Not to be overlooked was the Christian defense. “We must have sacked their quarterback 10 or 11 times,” Oliver said. “Our nose guard JOSH HARRISON was all over the quarterback. He may be our best defensive player and I’ll bet he has more than 100 tackles by the end of the season. That’s a lot for a defensive lineman.” Outside linebacker RAYVON “Ray-Ray” OWENS had 3 sacks as did safety PHILLIP GEORGE for the 5-4 Patriots. “Our freshman outside linebacker TANNER PERRY was just stoning guys,” Oliver noted.

Other Views

Foothills Christian-Calvin Christian North County Times Christian-Mission Prep San Luis Obispo Tribune Helix-Granite Hills SignOnSanDiego

© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (11-6-10) — Mount Miguel High receiver FRANCO LUNA noted a weekly routine for the Matadors this season. It was all about pushups and the football program’s history.

“Every Friday this season, we closed our pre-game workout by doing 22 pushups,” said the Matadors junior wide receiver. “Each of those pushups signifies a year that we hadn’t won a (league) championship.”

Bottom line is, Mount Miguel, which finished the regular season undefeated in 1987, still has not guaranteed itself a league title this year.

Even though it didn’t look like it, host Mount Miguel’s 21-20 double overtime victory Friday (Nov. 5) over visiting El Capitan did more to create confusion than it did to set a charge for a Matadors’ celebration.

For the record, Mount Miguel tied the visiting Vaqueros 14-14, which in actuality left El Capitan (4-4-1, 3-0-1) atop the Grossmont Valley League standings.

While the Vaqueros – who have won a school record 3 straight league titles – will conclude their regular season with a non-league game against Francis Parker, the Matadors (7-1-1, 2-0-1) are looking at a must-win situation against GVL and Spring Valley rival Monte Vista in next week’s season-ender.

“Everybody said we had no chance to even be in this game,” El Capitan coach RON BURNER said of his Vaqueros, who were 14-point underdogs going in against the Matadors. “But the big thing is we’re league champions – no matter what.”

Burner was speaking in terms of reality: If the Matadors win – as they should – against Monte Vista, they will be co-champions with the Vaqueros. If Mount Miguel stumbles against the Monarchs, the dry spell without a league title will continue for the Matadors.

The Vaqueros could have knocked the Matadors out of the running in the final 6 seconds of Friday’s game, but JOSHUA MURPHY missed a 24-yard field goal with 6.3 seconds remaining.

In high school football overtime is played by the same rules as college overtime, starting each team’s overtime possession at the 25-yard line.

Neither team scored in the first session, although Mount Miguel tried a 47-yard field goal, which was short.

In round two of overtime the Vaqueros survived two major penalties before quarterback JAKE ALVERNAZ delivered a 13-yard scoring pass to ROBERT CRAIGHEAD. But the ensuing extra point kick missed its mark, leaving the Vaqueros with a vulnerable 6-point lead.

JORGE MEDINA, who connected on 34 of 36 PAT attempts, calmly kicked the game winner – sending the Matadors’ sidelines into a frenzy.

“We expected this game to be a challenge, but it feels good to be a champion,” said Matadors junior receiver ANTHONY ORTEGA, who reeled in 5 passes for 60 yards and returned 4 punts for 76 yards. “We’ve been working for this since January. We want to prove to everyone that we’re willing to work hard enough to take it to the (Qualcomm) Stadium.”

Given the fact that the Matadors may be forced to share the title doesn’t concern Ortega.

“I don’t feel like it was a tie (with El Capitan ),” added Ortega. “The better team won.”

One thing that keeps evading the conversation is the Matadors finale against Monte Vista.

No doubt the Matadors realize they dodged a lot of bullets against El Capitan, including Murphy’s 24-yard field goal that would have given the Vaqueros the victory had he not missed the mark with 6.3 seconds remaining.

El Capitan’s running game was fierce against Mount Miguel. DAKOTA FURR stormed for 176 yards on 25 carries, while TYLER MASON barged for 124 yards and a touchdown on 8 carries.

The versatile TYRONE WIGGINS contributed 31 yards on 10 carries, completed one pass on 4 attempts for 27 yards, caught an 18-yarder and returned 3 punts for 35 yards for El Capitan.

“We would have liked to have won this outright (and he still might if the Monarchs pull off a miracle),” Burner said. “But no matter, we’re the first El Capitan team in our school history to win three straight league titles. We’ll take it any way we can get it.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Mount Miguel lost a fumble at the El Capitan 3-yard line on the opening play of the second period. It was the second time the Matadors turned the ball over in the Red Zone.

The Matadors finally put together a nine-play, 64-yard scoring drive. The key play was the 33-yard pass from quarterback ERNEST WILLIAMS to Luna.

Williams eventually capped the drive with 3-yard scoring jaunt on a quarterback keeper with 2:08 left in the half.

A 61-yard dash by Mason sparked an 85-yard scoring march for El Capitan. The final steps of the seven-play tying touchdown series were taken by Wiggins out of a Wildcat formation. After straight-ahead bursts of 8 and 4 yards by the 5-foot-11, 180-pound versatile senior, Wiggins punched the ball into the endzone on a sneak from less than a yard out. Murphy kicked the PAT to knot the score at 7-7 with 9.5 seconds remaining in the half.

Steele Canyon running back Jake Wragg (left) fumbles, yet makes the recovery. On the very next play, the Cougars' Kyle Sager collects the touchdown pass. (Photos by Katherine Krug, SCHS Yearbook photographer)

COUNTDOWN TO COUGARS-SCOTTIES CLASH

WRAGG TO RICHES ON THE LOOSE Steele Canyon ball-carrier Jake Wragg (32) follows a teammate's block en route to one of his two rushing touchdowns vs. Grossmont. (Photo by Chris Stone, La Mesa Patch.com) Running back Jimmy Pruitt of Helix finds open space. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com)

No. 7 STEELE CANYON 51, GROSSMONT 0 – For those thinking that the Cougars were looking ahead to their Grossmont Hills League showdown with Helix to determine the league champion on the final day of the regular season, they were declared incorrect rather quickly. Steele Canyon scored on its first five possessions Friday (Nov. 5), then took a knee to close out the half with a 30-0 advantage in eliminating the visiting Foothillers from GHL championship consideration. The defense posted a second consecutive shutout for the first time in Cougars history. The 51-point margin of victory is also a school mark, bettering a 49-point dismantling of Serra in a 56-7 triumph earlier this season. "We practiced hard, so it's nice to get another donut (shutout)," said middle linebacker DANTE PATTON, one of the many honored on Senior Night. "We pounced on the opportunity – we don't under-estimate any of our opponents." The offense saw JAKE WRAGG rush for 102 yards, including touchdowns gallops of 3 and 9 yards, then BRANDON WATSON busted loose on a 64-yard TD bolt to finish with a career-high 135 yards. Even special teams got in on the action, as DANIEL GREEN busted through the line to block a fourth-quarter punt. The loose ball was quickly gathered by JORDAN GOFIGAN on a 7-yard scoop-and-score. Wragg, the GHL's leading rusher, was pulled one play into the second half once he climbed over the 100-yard threshold. Same with Watson, who raced around the left end and raced untouched down the left sideline, thanks to the work of left tackle RYAN SCURLOCK and left guard BLAKE BUSBY. Meanwhile, Steele Canyon completely contained Grossmont quarterback DeSEAN WATERS, who ranks just a tick behind Wragg in the race for the rushing title. Waters was stopped for losses on five of his seven carries, plus was sacked twice (by JAKE RUYSSCHAERT and JOEY ALEGRIA), finishing with minus-3 yards on the ground. (Helix limited Waters to 2 yards rushing two weeks ago.) "Waters has some great legs, but we were able to knock him down," added Patton. For the first half, the Hillers were limited to a mere 15 yards in total offense and a single first down, never crossing midfield. Overall, Grossmont managed just 128 yards, 46 coming on the game's final drive against the reserves. Conversely, Steele Canyon rushed for 311 yards as part of its 392-yard offensive display. The Cougars took control from the onset, when KYLE SAGER registered a pair of solo tackles, then safety BRITTEN WRIGHT broke-up a third-down pass with a big hit on a Hillers receiver. "We knew Grossmont's whole offense keyed around No. 2 (Waters)," noted Wright. "Now we can finally focus on Helix – it should be a game to remember." The only Grossmont stop in the early going forced Steele Canyon to accept a 34-yard field goal by DANIEL URIBE to open the scoring. ERNIE FLINT then went around left end on a 9-yard run for a 10-0 lead, followed by both of Wragg's touchdowns. Senior quarterback BRAD BOEHMKE then faked a handoff, finding a wide-open tight end in Sager for an 8-yard TD. The Cougars capped the scoring on a 1-yard burst by NICK ZEPFER.    No. 2 HELIX 55, GRANITE HILLS 10 – For those who thought the Highlanders might be looking past Granite Hills in Friday’s (Nov. 5) Grossmont Hills League contest don’t know Helix High coach TROY STARR. His teams do not look ahead. Just ask the Granite Hills Eagles. With thoughts of a league championship and a perfect 10-0 regular season dancing in their heads, the Highlanders could easily have pointed all their focus on the coming showdown with No. 7 ranked Steele Canyon (8-1, 4-0 GHL) next Friday (Nov. 12) in La Mesa. The No. 2 ranked Highlanders (9-0, 4-0 GHL) sliced through Granite Hills (5-4, 1-3 GHL) like a buzz saw, rolling up 518 yards to go with their 55 points. Helix led only 7-3 after one quarter but after that it was all about the Mean Green. Quarterback BRANDON LEWIS put together a career game for the Highlanders. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior completed 22 of 33 passes for 348 yards and 5 touchdowns. “When he transfers his weight he can be extremely accurate,” Starr said of Lewis. “He threw a lot of catchable balls tonight.” JIMMY PRUITT, a Division I college corner for the Highlanders, reeled in 8 passes for 148 yards, including scoring strikes of 8 and 10 yards. “The big thing is Lewis was on fire all night – he came in on point,” Pruitt praised. “I found seams in their defense. It was easy to get open.” Pruitt said there was nothing special about Helix’s passing game. It was more about execution. “We ran a lot of one-receiver routes, hitches and slants,” Pruitt added. “It may look like we were a big-time passing team tonight but we are truly a balanced offense. That’s because our offensive line helps us make the big plays.” Senior AUSTIN GONZALEZ, who reeled in back-to-back scoring passes of 6 and 17 yards from Lewis, helped the Highlanders take a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter. DARRION HANCOCK rushed for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 carries to spark the Highlanders’ ground game. Unable to get anything going on the ground, Granite Hills had to rely on quarterback CORY LOCKMAN to get the offense moving. The Eagles started out okay as GILBERT PEREZ booted a 28-yard field goal, giving Granite Hills a 3-0 edge. Perez actually scored all the Eagles’ points as he caught a 28-yard scoring strike from Lockman in the second quarter to cut Helix’s lead to 28-10. Lockman completed 14 of 24 passes for 134 yards. Six of those bullseyes went to Perez for 58 yards. NATE HUFF also grabbed 4 balls for 40 yards for the Eagles. In terms of running the ball the Eagles finished 25 yards on 20 carries. “We had too many turnovers,” lamented Granite Hills coach RANDY DeWITT. “You can’t give a team like Helix opportunities. Every time we turned the ball over they scored a touchdown. I thought we played fairly well, but our mistakes hurt us.” Following this game Starr pointed his focus on Steele Canyon. “Every game is a Super Bowl for us from here on in,” he said.

Valhalla receiver Sowell Elder (26) gains inside position on Steve Armstrong of West Hills to make the reception. (Photos by Don De Mars Photography) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

VALHALLA 35, WEST HILLS 14 – Valhalla football coach STEVE SUTTON returned to West Hills’ football field Friday night (Nov. 5) for the first time since he became the Norsemen’s coach. He received a nice welcome from the home fans as he was announced as a “future hall of fame coach.” He also received a nice welcome from his team – in the form of 21 first-quarter points.

Valhalla’s defense got revved up early. On West Hills’ first possession, defensive end MARRICK BATISTE teamed up with linebacker EASTIN REAUME to stop the ball carrier for a loss, followed by defensive back SPENCER HAVIRD knocking down a pass to thwart a first down attempt.

Starting at their 49-yard line following the punt, the Norsemen offense did not waste any time finding the end zone. Junior quarterback FRANK FOSTER found wide receiver NICK KURTZ open for a 22-yard gain on third down, to the Wolf Pack’s 27-yard line. On the next play, Foster turned a nifty quarterback draw into a 27-yard TD run. After TREVOR McGIRR (5-5 PATs) split the uprights, the Norsemen led 7-0, with 9:24 left to play in the first stanza.

West Hills answered just as quickly. Facing a third-and-7 from the Pack’s 22-yard line, junior running back RYAN WILLIAMS burst free up the middle, following NINO LaRUSSA’S pancake block, and scampered 59 yards to the Valhalla 19-yard line, where defensive back HANSSELL WILSON caught up to him and dragged him down, saving a touchdown, albeit momentarily.

Two plays later, senior quarterback TREVOR CLIPPINGER hooked up with senior tight end STEVE ARMSTRONG for a 17-yard gain to the Norsemen 1-yard line. Clippinger sneaked into the end zone on the next play; JOSH McINTIRE’s kick was good and the game was knotted 7-7 with 7:13 left to play in the initial period.

Starting on their 20, Valhalla ate up yards methodically. After Foster hit slotback JUSTIN WADA with quick passes of 8 and 10 yards, NEHEMIAH BROWN picked up 8 more on a sweep around the right side. Foster threw a dart to wide receiver TOM McDONALD for a 14-yard gain to the West Hills 19, and Wilson, getting an opportunity to play running back for the first time this season, broke free for a 19-yard TD run, putting Valhalla ahead once again, 14-7, with 4:12 left in the first quarter.

After its defense forced a West Hills 3-and-out series, Valhalla quickly scored again, this time on a 42-yard pass play from Foster to Brown. With 23 seconds left in the first 12 minute period, Valhalla was cruising, 21-7.

In the second quarter, Valhalla’s offense put together a 13-play drive that used up half of the period before Wada – sprung free by good blocking from offensive linemen DANNY DAVIS and TYLER CHRISTMAN – jetted into the end zone from 4 yards out, extending the lead to 28-7 shortly before halftime.

The second half looked to be more promising for West Hills when Valhalla’s offensive line was flagged three plays in a row for holding, moving the Norsemen backwards from their 35 to their 13-yard line. Despite a 5-yard penalty, West Hills quickly got to the Norsemen 17-yard line on a 27 yard completion from Clippinger to senior wide receiver TIM SEABOCH. Two plays later, senior wide receiver BEN SCHUSTER snagged a Clippinger pass for a 13-yard TD.

West Hills got a golden opportunity to make it a one-score game when senior defensive back JORDAN MOORE recovered a Valhalla fumble, giving the Wolf Pack the ball on the Valhalla 30-yard line. On third-and-7, however, defensive linemen ANDREW DAOUD and ERVIN HILL teamed up to sack the quarterback, forcing a 44-yard field goal attempt that failed.

Valhalla added a 4th quarter TD on a Foster 1-yard run, making the final score 35-14.

For Valhalla, Foster completed 21 of 26 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 2 TDs. McDonald caught 6 passes for 68 yards and Wada had 7 catches for 46 yards. The Norsemen also got their running game back on track, garnering 138 yards on 34 carries. Valhalla’s defense was also stout, limiting the Wolf Pack to 188 yards of total offense.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 32, CALVIN CHRISTIAN 20 – Foothills Christian won their second Southern Conference title in the last three years by knocking off archrival Calvin Christian in Friday’s (Nov. 5) winner-take-all affair at Junior Seau Field in La Mesa.

“They were the defending champs,” said Foothills Christian coach THOM LUBIC of the Crusaders. “They’ve won 11 conference games in a row.”

ZACH CUMMINGS, who did not complete a pass in eight attempts last week, delivered scoring strikes of 32 yards and 55 yards to IAN MATHISEN, staking the Knights (5-2, 5-0 SC) to a 12-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Cummings also scored on a 2-yard run in the second period, and JR ATTERBURY kicked a 23-yard field goal, giving Foothills Christian a 22-6 halftime lead.

Atterbury kicked his second 23-yard field goal and SPENCER GEORGE scored on a 7-yard run in the fourth quarter to guide the Knights to the victory circle.

Mathisen, who could not be reached for comment, finished with 4 receptions for 138 yards.

Cummings also hooked up with KYLE MOBERG for a 13-yard completion. Showing his versatility, Moberg also intercepted a pass.

“It was a very physical game,” Lubic said. “We out-hit them – I think we wore them out.

We controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.”

George led the Knights’ ground game with 94 yards on 25 carries. HENRY LUSCHEI averaged 7 yards per carry on 12 sorties. Cummings’ 47 yards rushing gave him 198 yards total offense.

MONTE VISTA 38, EL CAJON VALLEY 6 (Updated 11-7-10) – The Monarchs celebrated Monte Vista’s Homecoming Friday night (Nov. 5) with a lopsided Grossmont Valley League victory over El Cajon Valley.

It was a night of season highs for Monte Vista (2-7, 1-2 GVL), which scored 16 more points against the Braves than it had in its previous six games combined. Monte Vista ’s only other win was a 21-7 over Del Norte in week two.

“It’s nice to be on the right end of the score for a change,” said Monte Vista coach PAGE CULVER. “This is one of the few games all year that we didn’t make mistakes. When you do that your hard work pays off.”

Monte Vista built a 24-0 halftime lead and made it 31-0 in the third period before El Cajon Valley (1-8, 0-3 GVL) broke through on DONTAE BAILEY’s 92-yard kickoff return.

For Monte Vista, senior MATT PARRIS – the Monarchs’ leading rusher for the season – scored his first 2 touchdowns of the campaign. Parris scored on a 6-yard run, which – coupled with a LEONARDO BORGES PAT kick – made it 7-0 in the opening period.

SHERVIN IRANIHA also scored a pair of touchdowns – a 13-yard run in the first quarter and a 4-yard dash in the second period – for Monte Vista. Borges finished with 8 points, including a 28-yard field goal.

“Right near the end of the first half we let Borges try a 52-yarder (field goal), and it came up about a yard short,” Culver said. “It was pretty impressive. We’ve known that he has the leg to kick long distance but we haven’t been in very many situations where we could capitalize on it.”

DORIAN HARDY scored Monte Vista’s final touchdown on a 2-yard run.

“All of our touchdowns came on runs... kinda like the old Monte Vista,” Culver said.

Parris concluded his outing with 115 yards on 15 rushes.

Meanwhile, the versatile Iraniha ripped off 81 yards on 9 rushes and collected 176 all-purpose yards. He caught all five Monte Vista pass completions, returned a kickoff 30 yards, brought back three punts for 26 yards and galloped 17 yards with his second interception of the season.

The Monarchs held El Cajon Valley to a minus-11 yards on 23 rushes – the third best defensive job by a Monte Vista defense according to the all-time books.

The Braves’ best bet for moving the ball was sophomore quarterback HAKIM HARRIS, who completed 6 of 13 aerials for 115 yards. Bailey made three of the catches for 94 yards, including a 60-yarder.

One of the highlights for the Braves was ATSON HENDERSON, who intercepted a pass and played flawless defense, according to El Cajon Valley coach NORMAN WHITEHEAD.

“Nobody caught a pass on him tonight,” the coach added.

Bailey finished with 243 all-purpose yards for El Cajon Valley.

“Monte Vista was really pumped up and ready to play,” said Whitehead. “That was a team that was not going to lose tonight.”

Now the Monarchs get a chance to play spoiler on the final night of the season when they host crosstown rival Mount Miguel. The Matadors face a must-win situation if they are to share the GVL title with El Capitan.

Matadors-Vaqueros poised to garner
inaugural Grossmont Valley crown

© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (11-04-10) — Both the El Capitan Vaqueros (4-4, 3-0) and the Mount Miguel Matadors (7-1, 2-0) are seeking a landmark victory Friday night (Nov. 5) when they collide for the Grossmont Valley League championship at 7 p.m.

The Matadors realize a victory over the Vaqueros will secure Mount Miguel’s first league championship since 1987 when then-coach GARY COOPER’s squad finished the regular season 10-0.

For El Capitan, which began the season with four losses in five games and since has won three straight GVL contests, knocking off the Matadors would guarantee the Vaqueros a third-straight league championship.

“I keep telling my kids that they can make El Capitan history by winning this game,” Vaqueros coach RON BURNER said. “That’s because no El Capitan team has won three straight titles – it’s that clear.”

Matadors coach TOM KARLO said, “Our kids know what’s at stake – they know what’s on the line. But we’re playing an El Capitan team that knows about the pressure of playing for a championship. This is a little new to us since we have not been in the position to win one since 2007.”

El Capitan, which has been primarily a passing unit during Burner’s six seasons at the helm, has turned to the running game. The spearhead of the Vaqueros rushing attack is East County rushing leader DAKOTA FURR (139.9 ypg, 13 TDs). But the 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior is not a solo act.

Senior TYLER MASON, who missed the first five games due to injury, has averaged 104 ypg since joining the Vaqueros’ lineup three games ago.

“I’ve seen all their game films and they’re not the same team they were at the beginning of the season,” Karlo said. “They’ve got a lot of weapons at the right positions. They’re playing their best football when it counts most.”

Burner admits that Mount Miguel will stack its defense toward stuffing the Vaqueros’ running game.

“They’re gonna stack everybody in the box and try to take Dakota away. They’re going to attempt to plug every hole and come at us with various blitzes and force us to try to beat them by passing,” Burner noted.

Mount Miguel also has an assortment of offensive weapons led by running back DERRICK DUNN (144-761, 17 TDs). The Matadors also have two capable quarterbacks in DEE’JAY NOLEN and ERNEST WILLIAMS.

ANTHONY ORTEGA is also a blue chip receiver (26-409, 3 TDs) for the Matadors.

Mount Miguel leads the all-time series 28-20, including victories in the last three meetings. Make that four... Mount Miguel 35-21.

Grossmont (7-1, 2-1) at No. 7 Steele Canyon (7-1, 3-0), 7: It’s hard to believe that this game isn’t Friday night’s (Nov. 5) headliner, considering both teams are 7-1. But there is a difference in schedules.

The visiting Foothillers’ lone setback was two weeks ago 41-0 against No. 2 ranked Helix, while Steele Canyon was edged 20-17 by top-ranked Eastlake on the final play of the game in September.

As one coach said, this is one of those “trap” games. Will the Cougars look past the Foothillers to next week’s winner-take-all Grossmont Hills League finale at Helix?

“How do you look past a team that is 7-1,” Steele Canyon coach RON BOEHMKE queried. “This is going to be Senior Night and we don’t have to tell our kids what Grossmont’s record is. Yeah, we’ve probably played a tougher schedule but that’s not gonna be worth any points Friday night (Nov. 5).”

Boehmke, in fact, relishes playing Grossmont prior to facing off against the Highlanders.

“Our team is very well focused,” he said. “And this is a really good week to be playing a team like Grossmont.”

The Foothillers are all about defense and quarterback DeSEAN WATERS (209.4 ypg, 15 TDs).

“Their defense really flies around and comes after you,” Boehmke said. “And Waters is known for using his feet, but has proven he can also throw the ball (48-84, 670 yds, 3 TDs).”

Steele Canyon’s offense centers around JAKE WRAGG, who is the Grossmont Conference’s second leading rusher. Wragg has rushed for 1,060 yards and 15 TDs on 130 carries.

“Their No. 32 just fights through a lot of tackles and is extremely hard to bring down,” Grossmont coach RON MURPHY said of Wragg.

Comparing scores between these two teams is most glaring against Granite Hills. The Cougars grounded the Eagles 49-16, while Grossmont held on to win 21-14.

Another comparison is Steele Canyon vanquished Valhalla 34-14, while the Foothillers held on for a 13-7 victory.

“They have no apparent weaknesses,” Murphy said of the Cougars. “They play sound defense, bend their knees, get off blocks and don’t try to scheme you.”

In years gone by Steele Canyon has always favored the run.

“They still like to pound the rock,” Murphy said. “But they’ve done a good job of elevating their passing game the past few weeks.”

Cougars quarterback BRAD BOEHMKE, a three-year starter, has passed for 1,054 yards and 12 touchdowns.

“We’re the healthiest we’ve been since opening day,” noted coach Boehmke. “We will be playing at full strength.”

These teams have split eight previous meetings, but the Cougars have won the last three, including 35-7 a year ago... Steele Canyon 32-17.

Helix (8-0, 3-0) at Granite Hills (5-3, 1-2), 7: Eagles coach RANDY DeWITT believes Granite Hills has already secured a berth in the SDCIF Division I playoffs. Playing a game against No. 2 ranked Helix Friday (Nov. 5) at Granite Hills’ Valley Stadium presents the team a chance to move up in the playoff seedings.

Of course upsetting Helix would be equivalent of the shot heard around the world. Perhaps the Eagles should focus on beating Valhalla the final week of the season.

“This is probably the best team (coach TROY ) STARR has had (in his three years at Helix),” said DeWitt.

DeWitt noted that during the weekly film exchange that Starr pointed out that he’d forgotten to include a Highlanders’ roster in the package.

“I told him we could get one later,” said DeWitt. “But after watching the first couple of films I realized it didn’t matter – there was no need for a roster since all those guys are big, fast and talented. They deserve their ranking.”

Defense is Helix’s stronghold. Only twice in eight weeks have the Highlanders allowed an opponent to put together a lengthy drive for a touchdown. Overall, Helix’s defense has allowed only four touchdowns.

“I know we have a pretty good football team here at Granite Hills,” DeWitt said. “But we need that signature win.”

The Eagles, who trailed Grossmont 21-0 last week after one half, fought back and lost by a single touchdown. However, they took a physical beating.

“I’ve never seen so many ankle injuries in one game,” DeWitt admitted.

That included Eagles quarterback CORY LOCKMAN (181 ypg, 11 TDs). Lockman has recovered but back-up quarterback and starting flanker JUSTIN DAVIS was diagnosed with a broken foot and is out for the season.

Helix quarterback BRANDON LEWIS (96-159, 1,364 yards, 18 TDs) is probably the best quarterback in East County. He has a handful of quality receivers and a big-time running back in DARRION HANCOCK (131-889, 5 TDs).

On the defensive side the Highlanders look to linemen SAM MEREDITH and WILLIAM MILO, linebacker ROCKY FUGA, safety KACY SMITH and corner JIMMY PRUITT.

Helix has won 13 of the last 14 games in this series and 21 of the last 24 with one tie. Don’t look for the trend to change... Helix 42-14.

Calvin Christian (5-3, 4-0) vs. Foothills Christian (4-2, 4-0), at Seau Field, 7: One thing has become a tradition in the Southern League the past two years – the winner of the Calvin Christian-Foothills Christian game wins the championship.

That will be the case Friday night (Nov. 5) when the Knights host the North County Crusaders in La Mesa at Junior Seau Field.

“It’s no surprise that it’s come down to this,” said Foothills Christian first-year head coach THOM LUBIC. “Our kids pretty much expected it to go this way. Like most of the teams in our league, Calvin prefers to run the ball first and throw the ball second.”

Two years ago Foothills Christian captured the crown by kicking a field goal on the final play of the game for a 16-14 victory. Last year Calvin Christian prevailed 14-10.

The Knights look to SPENCER GEORGE (103.3 ypg, 9 TDs) and HENRY LUSCHEI (35-249) to anchor its running game.

Calvin Christian, which like Foothills, has won its last four games, looks to quarterback Jake Bons and running back Thomas Salzman to lead the Crusaders’ attack.

“The last couple of years this game has come down to defense, and I’m sure it will this time too,” Lubic noted.

Be comparative scores it would indicate that Calvin Christian would be the favorite, but the pick here is... Foothills Christian 16-12.

Valhalla (3-5, 0-3) at West Hills (3-5, 0-3), 7: Wolf Pack coach JESS BARRAGAN was pleased that his team wanted to hold a seniors-only meeting prior to Wednesday night’s practice.

“They came out and told me that their main goal is they don’t want to stop playing after next week (following the regular season finale at Grossmont),” he said. “They want to go on to the playoffs.”

To best way to do that is for the Wolf Pack to sweep their final two games, which will be no small chore.

“This group of seniors has taken a lot of flak from their classmates,” Barragan said. “For the record, I’ve only known these guys since March (when he was hired) and they’re a good group. I believe in them. They’re good people and hard-working players.

“Our mantra this year – and it’s plastered all over our locker room – is ‘No Regrets.’ We never stop playing, no matter what the score is. The only way to give yourself a chance is to prepare properly, and I think we have.”

Valhalla, meanwhile, has been roughed up by Grossmont Hills League giants Helix, Steele Canyon and Grossmont.

“Well, we survived Murderers’ Row,” said Valhalla coach STEVE SUTTON, whose Norsemen lost a cliff-hanger to Grossmont (13-7) and led No. 2 ranked Helix by a 7-6 count at halftime. “This week I think we match up pretty well with West Hills.”

Much like the Wolf Pack, the Norsemen are looking to close the season with back-to-back wins following Friday’s (Nov. 5) battle at West Hills. Valhalla’s regular season finale is against Granite Hills Nov. 12.

“If we can win our last two we might be able to get a No. 7 or No. 8 seed (in the Division II San Diego CIF playoffs),” Sutton said.

The Norsemen snapped a 9-game winless streak to the Wolf Pack with a resounding 48-7 victory last year. Neither team should expect a lopsided game this time around... Valhalla 24-12.

El Cajon Valley (1-7, 0-2) at Monte Vista (1-7, 0-2), 7: This is a game both teams believe they can win, and it’s a chance to avoid finishing in the Grossmont Valley League cellar. The Monarchs hope that a Homecoming crowd will give them the edge Friday night (Nov. 5).

Ironically, Braves’ first-year head coach NORMAN WHITEHEAD teaches at Monte Vista, although Monarchs coach PAGE CULVER said that the two haven’t sat down to talk about the game.

Senior SHERVIN IRANIHA of Monte Vista is one of the most versatile players in East County. Primarily a receiver – he has 34 receptions for 491 yards and 6 touchdowns – Iraniha has generated 923 all-purpose yards in eight games.

“At first Shervin told me he wanted to be a wrestler in college,” Culver said. “So we didn’t pursue the college route for football. But now he’s decided he wants to play football at the college level, so even though we’re getting a late start we’re doing what we can to help him. I think he’s going to make somebody a good college receiver.”

Iraniha remains a state caliber wrestler.

“He made the state meet as a freshman,” Culver noted.

Sophomore quarterback HAKIM HARRIS will make his third start for the Braves.l

El Cajon Valley has beaten the Monarchs only one time since 1978 – 10-7 in 1997. Monte Vista has won 15 times over the Braves in the last 32 years and there has been one tie... Monte Vista 26-14.

Christian (4-4) at Mission Prep (5-3), 7: The Christian High Patriots will hit the road for a rare late-season non-league game against the Mission Prep Royals Friday (Nov. 5) in San Luis Obispo.

The Royals operate out of a Wide-5 offense – a pass-oriented attack directed by quarterback Tyler Baty (99-for-177, 10 TDs).

“They have good size in their lines,” Christian coach MATT OLIVER said. “But we will put (linebacker TYLER) SAULS up on the edge and I think they’ll have trouble blocking him. We’ll also be starting two freshmen (strong safety ZACK WELCH and outside linebacker TANNER PERRY) and a sophomore (free safety PHILLIP GEORGE). These guys are going to be players for us as we get ready for the playoffs. Welch was busting facemasks down on JV.”

These teams have met in the state basketball playoffs, but this is the first engagement on the football field... Christian 27-21.

CIF-SAN DIEGO SECTION MEDIA RANKINGS
North County Times/ SD Sportswriters-Sportscasters Poll Rank/Team Record Points LW   1. Eastlake (11)   2. Helix (8)   3. Torrey Pines (2)   4. Valley Center   5. Oceanside   6. Vista   7. Steele Canyon   8. Mission Hills   9. Mount Miguel 10. La Costa Canyon tie. Rancho Bernardo 8-0-0 8-0-0 8-0-0 8-0-0 6-2-0 7-1-0 7-1-0 6-2-0 7-1-0 5-3-0 6-2-0 188 176 161 135 125 123 90 45 38 11 11 2 3 4 5 6 1 7 — 9 8 — Others receiving votes: Poway (9), Olympian (6), Cathedral Catholic (5), Madison (4), Grossmont (3).	SignOnSanDiego/ San Diego Union-Tribune Rank/Team Record LW   1. Eastlake   2. Vista   3. Oceanside   4. Torrey Pines   5. Helix   6. Valley Center   7. Steele Canyon   8. La Costa Canyon   9. Mount Miguel 10. Cathedral Catholic 8-0-0 7-1-0 6-2-0 8-0-0 8-0-0 8-0-0 7-1-0 5-3-0 7-1-0 4-4-0 2 1 3 4 6 5 8 7 9 — Others: Mission Hills 6-2, The Bishop’s 8-0, Grossmont 7-1, Rancho Bernardo 6-2, Madison 7-1, Mira Mesa 4-4, St. Augustine 6-2, Olympian 6-1.
The Sportswriters Association. poll is conducted by The North County Times. For 2010, 21 sportswriters, sportscasters and CIF representatives from throughout the county vote in the weekly poll. This year's panel includes: John Maffei, Terry Monahan, Tom Sheridan, Rick Hoff and Tom Saxe (North County Times), Nick Pellegrino (East County Sports.com), Steve Dolan and Rick Hill (East County), Rick Willis (KUSI-TV), John Kentera. Mark Chlebowski, Ted Mendenall, Bob Petinak (XX Sports Radio 1090), Bruce Ward, (San Diego City Schools), Jeff Kurtz and Andrew Jensen (kbo), Craig Elsten (619sports.com), Anthony Gentile (SD Reader) and Dave Axelson (Coronado Eagle & Journal).
THE MOVIE GUYS Now Sundays at 1 p.m. AM 600 KOGO

The Bishop's
Ramona
Point Loma
at Valhalla
BYE
at West Hills
*at Santana
*Monte Vista
*El Cajon Valley
*at Mount Miguel
at Francis Parker
**at EC-Southwest