Helix' Jalen Davis (right) breaks through the first line of Poway's defemse. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (11-24-12) — Although nobody in the Helix High huddle would admit it, the No. 2 ranked Highlanders were obviously looking forward to a San Diego CIF Division II championship showdown against Oceanside… again.

But the host Highlanders (10-1) got bushwhacked by No. 3 ranked Poway in Friday’s (Nov. 23) semifinals, 21-7, to deny them a shot at knocking off the Titans.

Helix was bullied by 9 quarterback sacks by the aggressive Titans defense, which held the Highlanders to five first downs. Helix was stymied the entire first half as they mustered only a net minus 1 yard and no first downs, trailing 21-0 at intermission.

In the second half it looked like Helix was going to come storming back as the Highlanders’ first possession resulted in a 56-yard scoring drive capped by MICHAEL ADKINS’ 29-yard touchdown run.

But Helix could not maintain any offensive surge, nor did Poway . So it turned into a run out the clock battle, which sends Poway against Oceanside in the Division II championship game next weekend at Escondido High.

Adkins finished with 105 yards on 18 carries, which was nearly half the Highlanders’ offensive output. No other Helix back gained positive yardage.

Highlanders junior quarterback JOSH HARRIS rarely had a chance to throw a pass without being under siege. The results were obvious as the defending state champions went down in defeat.

“Our quarterback was eaten up all night,” said versatile senior KENDAL KEYS. “It was devastating because we’re not used to losing like this. I know for myself I hate to have my career end this way, and I’m sure there are other seniors on our team that feel the same way.”

(Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com)

CIFSDS Semifinals

DIVISION I Mission Hills 42, San Pasqual 17 Eastlake 59, Grossmont 37 DIVISION II Oceanside 31, Valhalla 28 Poway 21, Helix 7 DIVISION III Lincoln 20, Olympian 7 Ramona 56, Serra 7 DIVISION IV St. Augustine 38, Valley Center 21 Madison 35, Brawley 16 DIVISION V Santa Fe Christian 49, Horizon 35 Francis Parker 27, Christian 24 (2-OT)

CIFSDS Championships

All at Wilson Stadium, Escondido HS Fri., Nov. 30 Division I (2) Eastlake vs (1) Mission Hills, 7:35 p.m. Division V (2) Francis Parker vs. (1) Santa Fe Christian, 3:35 p.m. Sat., Dec. 1 Division II (3) Poway vs. (1) Oceanside, 7:35 p.m. Division III (4) Lincoln vs. (3) Ramona, 3:35 a.m. Division IV (2) Madison vs. (1) St. Augustine, 11:35 a.m.

Valhalla receiver Bryan Macias (15, top) dives pver Oceanside defensive back Jace Whittaker for the touchdown. (Photo by Don DeMars Photography) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

By Dave Dickens
© East County Sports.com
OCEANSIDE (11-24-12) —Looking to avenge last year’s frustrating loss, the visiting Valhalla Norsemen were fired up and ready to play. So confident were they in their defense, despite winning the coin toss they decided to defer.

In what was ticketed to be an aerial showdown in Friday’s (Nov. 23) San Diego CIF Division II semifinals, it was Oceanside’s running game that took command of the show in a 31-28 Pirates victory.

Oceanside’s one-two running punch of Tai Cottrell and William Gulley led a methodical running game as the Pirates (11-1) attempted to play keep-away all night. To boot, the game was marred by 29 penalties, with each team suffering more than 100 yards in mark-offs.

The Norsemen were down 10-0 early but were able to rally to within 17-14 by intermission. This Valhalla team wanted to prove that it could compete with the favored Oceanside Pirates (11-1), a team the Norsemen have yet to beat in six meetings.

The Valhalla defense definitely did its homework, causing three fumbles, two recovered by the defense, and had ferocious tackling over its much bigger opponent.

The contest was tight throughout the whole evening – hard-hitting, gun-slinging, nail-biting action. The Norsemen put together some impressive drives.

With under two minutes to go after another impressive stand on defense, the Norsemen would come up short on a 4th-and0-ten scramble by quarterback RAMSEY ROMANO, who finished 20-for-33 with one pick, 295 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Valhalla wide receiver JOHN TODD would also have a bright night finishing with 3 catches for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns receptions, one of which was an 85-yard bomb that left Valhalla trailing by three points at halftime.

Gulley scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 10:12 remaining in the game. Valhalla (9-4) tried to counterpunch but was stymied by an Oceanside interception on their final drive. Valhalla was halted at midfield when it ran out of downs with 1:35 remaining.

“Déjà vu!,” exclaimed Valhalla head coach CHARLES BUSSEY. “Same as last year right 'til the end. We wanted to prove to this county up here that we are an elite team, and that they know they are lucky to get out of here with a win.”

For the second year in a row Valhalla stubbed its toe on Oceanside turf. The Norsemen had previously beaten Rancho Bernardo and La Costa Canyon to face off against the Pirates in the section semifinals.

In last year’s quarterfinals the Pirates held a 17-point lead before winning by the exact same score as this year. Valhalla could have attempted a field goal that would have sent the game into overtime a year ago, but went for the victory and failed.

“I’m proud of my team, and it just came down to the ball bounced their way one more time than ours,” noted Bussey.

Although Romano had a disappointing night, he had a great season, and has a great baseball career ahead as he will be attending Michigan on a baseball scholarship upon graduation.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (11-24-12) — For the second time in five years, the Christian High Patriots were involved in an overtime Division V San Diego Section playoff game. And as everybody knows, playoff games are pretty much sudden death. And nobody knows that better than Christian, which has done it twice.

The latest painful overtime defeat for the Patriots (8-4) came in Friday’s (Nov. 23) Division V playoff semifinals as host and No. 2 ranked Francis Parker (8-4) secured a 27-24 victory in double-overtime.

The last time the No. 3 ranked Patriots went into an extra session was in 2008 when they lost to Bishop’s 24-23, which eliminated them from the playoffs.

Christian tied the game on a 4th quarter drive when PARIS MILLER bolted 44 yards on a draw play, which eventually sent the game into overtime.

Parker had a chance to put the game away in regulation but Christian’s SEBASTIAN SWIFT blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt, which extended the game into overtime with 6:30 remaining.

Christian won the opening overtime toss and took a 21-14 lead on an 8-yard run by Miller.

Parker scored on a 3rd-and-15 play to extend the game to a second OT.

It appeared that Christian would have victory in hand when MASON POWELL booted a 43-yard field goal, but the Lancers stole the victory on a 3rd-and-one touchdown pass by Gabe Harrington. It was Harrington’s fourth TD pass in the game.

“We only had 53 plays, which if you think about it, isn’t very many when you consider there were two overtimes involved,” said Patriots assistant head coach JAMES McNEAL.

All head coach MATT OLIVER had to say was, “We just gave them too many second chances.”

TRENT SAULS led the Christian ground game with 111 yards on 15 carries. He also caught one pass for 40 yards. Miller added 78 yards on 10 carries and 2 touchdowns and also reeled in 3 passes for 33 yards.

“Parker was much more physical than the first time we played them (in an earlier season 24-20 loss),” noted McNeal.

As disappointing as Friday’s outcome was, McNeal admitted that “It’s very difficult to repeat (as SDCIF champions). I’m very disappointed for our seniors but they did get a patch a year ago. But I want our underclassmen to taste what it feels like to come in second-best. It’s not a really good feeling."

Grossmont's Marcus Flisher (left) propels through an Eastlake tackle for the score. (Photo by Linda Byerline)

By Mark Meadows
© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (11-24-12) — If you want to play for the San Diego CIF Division I title, the path to the finals shouldn't be easy.

If you are the Grossmont Foothillers or the Eastlake Titans, you have played and been tested by the best. Grossmont High (9-3) is 7-2 versus playoff teams this year.

Eastlake (10-3) was equally impressive. The Titans are 6-3 versus SDCIF playoff teams. So it was the No. 2 seed Eastlake versus No. 3 seed Grossmont for a trip to the section finals.

Unfortunately for the Foothillers, they are both 7-3 against SDCIF playoff teams after tonight, Friday (Nov. 23). Eastlake scored early and often to end the Foothillers' season in the Division I section semi-finals in Chula Vista, 59-37.

Eastlake ran the ball right at Grossmont. And right around Grossmont. And also right through them. In all, the Titans ran the ball an astounding 55 times for 410 yards for a healthy 7.5 yard average. Running back Aaron Baltazar had 267 yards with 4 touchdowns. Baltazar will be doing his post graduate work for Boise State next year.

Eastlake clearly wanted to establish its running game. Mission accomplished. At one point they ran 20 consecutive rushing plays while rolling up their first 21 points. Grossmont never did find an answer to stopping the Titans' running game.

Couple several long Eastlake running plays with 3 costly turnovers and the Foothillers were fighting an uphill battle from the start.

Not that Grossmont didn't have highlights of its own. Junior quarterback ANTHONY LAWRENCE was up to his old tricks. Lawrence completed 27 of his 46 attempts for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns. He spread the wealth among 8 different receivers. CHRISTIAN BROOKS was the main beneficiary, hauling in 8 passes for 80 yards. BRETT STONE added 6 catches for 63 yards and a TD.

“The run we had this year will certainly help our confidence going into next year,” said Lawrence . “I know there are areas I need to work on for next year, but I'm excited about the future.”

Senior wideout JEFF BOWERS had two TD's and narrowly missed a third on a 54-yard reception. Running back MARLON LAMPART also had a big night on the ground. He ripped off runs of 10, 12, 23, and 67 yards to finish the night with 162 yards rushing.

Grossmont found some things they could exploit in the Titan defense. Their own defense was the problem. The three Foothiller turnovers weren't helping matters either.

Eastlake led 21-0 in the first quarter, and 42-14 at the half. Two late Foothillers touchdowns made the score respectable, but this contest went in the wrong direction early. And often.

Head coach TOM KARLO put much of the blame on himself.

“I really thought Eastlake would have their hands full tonight,” he said. “I'm so proud of this group of young men for the hard work and dedication they have put in this year. But as the head coach of this football program, I put the blame for this game squarely on my own shoulders.”

Nine wins in a high school football season should also be placed on the coach's shoulders.