EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER – Week Two

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com

SAN DIEGO — Week 2 arrives with a championship rematch, several early measuring-stick games and more than one highly regarded program already confronting the possibility of an 0-2 start.

The featured matchup reunites Steele Canyon and Santa Fe Christian, where the Eagles defeated the Cougars 44-41 in last season’s San Diego Section Division II championship game at Southwestern College. Both senior quarterbacks return, both teams opened with victories, and only one position separates No. 13 Santa Fe Christian and No. 14 Steele Canyon in the East County Sports rankings, much like SFC’s game last week against a similar Grossmont Hills League opponent.

Santa Fe Christian looked every bit like a defending champion while defeating Helix 38-6. Steele Canyon followed a different formula in its 7-3 victory over San Diego, relying on a defense that protected a four-point lead throughout the scoreless second half. Their rematch should reveal whether the Cougars can produce enough offense to challenge an Eagles team that already appears capable of exceeding last season’s championship standard.

That is only the beginning of a deep East County card.

No. 8 Granite Hills visits No. 18 Mater Dei Catholic in a matchup between two 0-1 teams that remain firmly in the county’s upper tier. Granite Hills nearly completed a dramatic comeback at Oceanside, while Mater Dei Catholic came within a blocked extra point of forcing overtime against Del Norte. Both possess explosive passing attacks, and neither wants to spend the remainder of the season recovering from an 0-2 start.

Helix makes its first trip to Imperial High School and its first Imperial Valley appearance in 20 years. The Highlanders have never lost to one of the listed Southern California desert programs, but Imperial’s opening victory over Mission Bay suggests that preserving that history will require a substantial response from an offense that scored only once at Santa Fe Christian.

No. 29 Grossmont can strengthen its claim as one of the county’s most improved teams when it hosts No. 38 La Jolla. The Foothillers opened with a convincing 34-7 victory at Madison, while the Vikings generated 479 yards during a 35-30 loss to Patrick Henry. That matchup carries the potential to become one of the week’s highest-scoring games.

Mount Miguel supplied perhaps East County’s most encouraging opening result by defeating Montgomery 42-26 despite an offseason filled with roster and coaching uncertainty. The No. 33 Matadors now visit No. 27 University City in a game that could prove Mount Miguel was underrated—or validate the Centurions’ higher position.

Christian finally begins its season at Valley Center after completing one of the most improbable postseason runs in section history. The defending Division III and Southern California regional champions will face a Jaguars team that already earned attention with a 34-17 victory at Bishop’s.

Santana, West Hills and Monte Vista each attempt to build upon impressive opening victories, while El Capitan looks to recover quickly from its trip to Hawaii. Mountain Empire opens the East County schedule Thursday after dominating Hamilton, and Foothills Christian and El Cajon Valley face difficult road assignments while searching for their first points of the season.

The countywide card is just as strong. No. 3 Carlsbad visits No. 7 Oceanside, No. 1 Cathedral Catholic hosts Orange Lutheran, No. 4 La Costa Canyon welcomes Clovis West and No. 16 Del Norte meets No. 24 St. Augustine.

Week 1 provided the introductions.

Week 2 should begin separating the contenders from the teams still searching for answers.

NO. 14 STEELE CANYON (1-0) AT NO. 13 SANTA FE CHRISTIAN (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

SOLANA BEACH — Granite Hills carries East County’s highest ranking into Week 2, but the week’s most compelling game belongs to the two teams that staged last season’s unforgettable Division II championship contest.

Santa Fe Christian survived Steele Canyon 44-41 in that title game, completing a perfect 13-0 local season only after the Cougars nearly erased a 16-point halftime deficit.

The rematch returns to Santa Fe Christian’s field with both senior quarterbacks back—and with both teams carrying greater expectations than their enrollment figures might suggest.

Cornell-bound quarterback Dax Labrum immediately looked ready for another championship run in Santa Fe Christian’s 38-6 opening victory over Helix. Labrum completed 19 of 29 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles turned what appeared to be a major early-season test into one of the program’s most significant regular-season victories.

Senior Brady Berg scored three touchdowns, including a 40-yard reception, while Chase Woolley accumulated 205 all-purpose yards and caught a 32-yard touchdown pass. Senior linebacker Chuck Stover led a defense that allowed Helix only one score.

Santa Fe Christian was already one of the county’s most accomplished small-school programs. With Labrum continuing to develop under quarterbacks coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Brees, the Eagles may be climbing even higher.

Steele Canyon opened its season in an entirely different fashion.

The Cougars defeated San Diego 7-3 despite scoring only once and producing 237 yards. Senior Malcholm Ballard tracked a deflected pass in the end zone for the game’s only touchdown, but it was Steele Canyon’s defense that protected the lead throughout a scoreless second half.

Senior linebacker Luke Rode recorded 14 tackles, including 13 solo stops. Senior Trey Williams made the interception that created Steele Canyon’s scoring opportunity, and Cameron Buchanan, Marcus Hunt and Gunner Minich each contributed at least five tackles.

That defensive performance helped move Steele Canyon ahead of Helix in the East County Sports rankings. The Cougars are now No. 14, immediately behind No. 13 Santa Fe Christian.

The question is whether Steele Canyon can generate enough offense to make its defense matter.

Senior quarterback Gavin Caha completed 11 of 22 passes for 124 yards against San Diego and led the Cougars with 62 rushing yards. Steele Canyon head coach Scott Longerbone believes Caha belongs in the discussion as the county’s best quarterback, placing him in elite company with Labrum and Granite Hills senior Zac Benitez.

That confidence is not based on projection alone. Caha completed 15 of 24 passes for 272 yards in last season’s championship game, helping Steele Canyon rally from deficits of 30-14 and 37-20. His 80-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Henton and 38-yard scoring connection with Josiah Stocker helped push the Eagles to the final possession.

Steele Canyon is better than the seven points it scored last week, and its defense should prevent a repeat of Santa Fe Christian’s runaway victory over Helix. But the Cougars must now visit the same field where the Eagles looked fully capable of surpassing even last season’s championship standard.

Caha should give Steele Canyon another chance late. Labrum and Santa Fe Christian simply have more answers right now.

FEARLESS FORECAST: SANTA FE CHRISTIAN 28, STEELE CANYON 24

NO. 8 GRANITE HILLS (0-1) AT NO. 18 MATER DEI CATHOLIC (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

CHULA VISTA — Granite Hills spent the first half of its season opener looking almost nothing like the program that has won consecutive Division I championships.

The second half provided a much more familiar picture.

After falling behind Oceanside 30-7, Granite Hills rallied within eight points before the Pirates sealed a 44-29 victory with a fourth-down trick play. The loss dropped the Eagles to No. 8 in the East County Sports rankings, but it also may have revealed that Oceanside was considerably underrated entering the season.

Granite Hills still has immediate concerns to address. The Eagles finished with minus-2 rushing yards, allowed four sacks and surrendered eight defensive points on an interception return and a safety. Oceanside also rushed for more than 150 yards behind Neke Letuli, who carried 27 times for 153 yards and three touchdowns.

Those numbers made Granite Hills look vulnerable. The response led by senior quarterback Zac Benitez and senior receiver Nino Miller-Thompson showed why the Eagles remain one of the county’s most dangerous teams.

Benitez completed 18 of 28 passes and threw four touchdown passes. Miller-Thompson caught all four, finishing with 12 receptions for 230 yards in a spectacular Granite Hills debut. Their touchdown connections covered 26, 39, 59 and 23 yards as the Eagles reduced a 23-point halftime deficit to 37-29.

Granite Hills cannot afford another slow start against Mater Dei Catholic.

The Crusaders scored on all four of their first-half possessions against Del Norte before suffering a 29-28 loss when their potential tying extra point was blocked. Sophomore quarterback Jayden Blondin completed 19 of 25 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns, while junior receiver Khalonie Jordan caught six passes for 124 yards and a score.

That passing combination should test a Granite Hills defense that allowed Oceanside to create explosive plays through the air and on the ground. Mater Dei Catholic, however, did not establish a consistent rushing attack against Del Norte, allowing the Eagles to concentrate more heavily on pressuring Blondin and containing Jordan.

Granite Hills also carries the urgency of a team that entered the season with Open Division aspirations. A second consecutive loss would not eliminate those hopes, but it would leave the Eagles with almost no remaining margin for error.

The Eagles defeated Mater Dei Catholic 49-18 last season. This meeting should be more competitive, especially with the Crusaders at home and capable of scoring through the air.

Still, Granite Hills should look much more like the team that scored 22 second-half points at Oceanside than the one that fell behind 21-0 in the opening quarter. Benitez and Miller-Thompson give the Eagles the superior finishing power, and the defense should improve against a more one-dimensional offense.

FEARLESS FORECAST: GRANITE HILLS 42, MATER DEI CATHOLIC 24

NO. 17 HELIX (0-1) AT IMPERIAL (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

IMPERIAL — Helix has never lost to one of the Southern California desert programs in its documented history.

Maintaining that perfect record may require considerably more offense than the Highlanders produced in their opener.

Helix will make its first appearance at Imperial High School and its first trip into the Imperial Valley in 20 years while attempting to recover from a 38-6 loss at Santa Fe Christian.

The Highlanders’ three previous desert road trips all resulted in victories: 54-0 over Palo Verde Valley in Blythe in 1956, 24-14 over Central Union in El Centro in 1980 and 17-14 over Brawley in 2006.

Helix also defeated Palo Verde Valley at home in 1955 and El Centro Central in 1957, making the Highlanders 5-0 overall against the listed desert programs and 3-0 on the road.

History alone will not make the fourth trip successful.

Santa Fe Christian held Helix scoreless during the first half and carried a 24-0 advantage into the third quarter. Junior running back Bryce Calloway finally broke through with an 8-yard touchdown run behind Sean Fanua, Caleb Cerda, Kaleo Hughes, Jake Conboy, Aydan Lopez and Jaidyn Merlo, but the Highlanders could not generate another scoring drive.

That performance looks slightly less alarming after Santa Fe Christian’s complete effort is taken into account. The defending Division II champions may be even better than anticipated, and Helix will not face an offense with the same combination of experience and firepower this week.

Imperial, however, is no recovery-game pushover.

The Tigers opened with a 25-20 victory over Mission Bay behind junior running back Deren Hueso, who rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown while adding 55 receiving yards and another score. Junior quarterback Santonio Urena threw two touchdown passes, including one to junior Anthony Hellum Jr., who finished with 74 receiving yards.

Imperial also generated a disruptive pass rush. Junior lineman Matthew Ibarra and senior linebacker Ryen Adame recorded two sacks apiece, while junior linebacker Ernesto Vargas added another. Senior safety Jacob Lee contributed seven tackles, two quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery.

That pressure could become a major factor if Helix again struggles to sustain drives. The Highlanders must establish Calloway and their running game early, protect the football and avoid allowing Imperial’s home crowd and desert conditions to add momentum to the Tigers’ fast start.

Helix remains the more talented team, and the Highlanders should respond with a much sharper performance after being humbled in Solana Beach. But Imperial is playing too well—and this trip is too unusual—to expect Helix simply to arrive and take control.

The Highlanders’ desert record should remain perfect, but only after a fourth-quarter test.

FEARLESS FORECAST: HELIX 27, IMPERIAL 24

NO. 38 LA JOLLA (0-1) AT NO. 29 GROSSMONT (1-0)

Friday, 7:15 p.m.

EL CAJON — Grossmont entered the season looking for evidence that it was ready to compete again in the Grossmont Hills League.

The Foothillers provided plenty of it in their opener.

After surrendering the first touchdown, Grossmont scored 34 consecutive points and defeated Madison 34-7 on the road. The Foothillers displayed offensive balance, created turnovers and kept the Warhawks out of the end zone over the final three quarters.

Junior Cedric Norris supplied the breakout performance. After not playing varsity football last season, Norris scored on a direct snap, caught two touchdown passes and added a two-point conversion.

Senior quarterback Tyler Holmes passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 57 yards and another score. Junior running back Jacob Fee added 83 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown run that helped send Grossmont into halftime with a 26-7 advantage.

The defense may have made the strongest statement. Senior Nate Clark recorded seven tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up two others, while senior Izzy Lewis recovered a fumble. Madison accumulated 259 yards but produced nothing after its opening touchdown.

That defense faces a much more explosive test this week.

La Jolla generated 479 yards in its opener but fell 35-30 to Patrick Henry in a game between two closely rated teams. The Vikings rushed for 262 yards and passed for another 217, producing four touchdowns with several different playmakers.

Sophomore quarterback Ty Tortorice completed 11 of 14 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown while adding 59 rushing yards. Junior running back Kali Deberry carried 17 times for 123 yards and a score, while senior Joseph Crudo contributed 72 rushing yards and another touchdown.

Freshman receiver Zakai Jackson also announced himself immediately, catching four passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.

La Jolla’s ability to run the ball with Deberry, Crudo and Tortorice should test a Grossmont defense that allowed Madison to rush for 155 yards. The Foothillers cannot count on controlling this game simply by containing one featured back or pressuring one quarterback.

La Jolla has enough offensive variety to move the ball and make Grossmont work throughout the night. But the Foothillers appear stronger on both sides of the ball, and their combination of Holmes, Fee and Norris should expose a Vikings defense that surrendered 35 points without recording a sack in its opener.

Grossmont may not completely pull away until the fourth quarter, but the Foothillers should confirm that their opening victory represented something more substantial than one good night.

FEARLESS FORECAST: GROSSMONT 37, LA JOLLA 28

NO. 33 MOUNT MIGUEL (1-0) AT NO. 27 UNIVERSITY CITY (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

SAN DIEGO — Mount Miguel answered the first question emphatically.

Now the Matadors face the test that should reveal whether they merely survived a turbulent offseason or remain one of San Diego County’s leading programs.

Several accomplished players transferred, the coaching search took an unexpected turn and James Simon inherited a roster that was not even publicly available until the season had begun. None of that prevented Mount Miguel from defeating Montgomery 42-26 in its first game under the new head coach.

Junior quarterback Enrique Gonzalez completed 13 of 18 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Junior receiver Cayden “Prince” Mobley caught eight passes for 146 yards and two scores, while senior running back Dominic Lopez accumulated 127 yards from scrimmage and scored both rushing and receiving.

Sophomore David Watt added an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and junior Tylan Young-Hall returned a fumble 80 yards for another score, after getting the football from teammate Khyree Teartt, who had picked it up off the turf and ran nine yards before flipping the ball to his team as he was being tackled.

The Matadors were explosive, balanced and opportunistic. They scored 21 points during the second quarter, carried a 28-7 advantage into halftime and never allowed Montgomery to make the outcome seriously competitive.

There were also warning signs beneath the final margin. Montgomery finished with 363 yards, three more than Mount Miguel, and rushed for 252. The Matadors created four turnovers and scored two nonoffensive touchdowns—advantages that cannot be assumed every week.

University City will test them in an entirely different manner.

The Centurions opened with a 38-13 victory over Olympian behind a high-volume passing attack and an even more disruptive defense. Senior quarterback Thomas Dietrich completed 28 of 46 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior Hesh Hertz caught seven passes for 58 yards and a touchdown while also making two interceptions. Senior Decklan Houston added two interceptions, and senior DJ Ferguson supplied another as University City collected five takeaways.

Senior Tyler Hahn blocked a punt, recovered it in the end zone and later scored on a 3-yard run.

Ball security will determine this matchup. Mount Miguel forced four turnovers against Montgomery, while University City intercepted five passes against Olympian. Whichever quarterback avoids giving the opposing defense a short field should place his team in position to win late.

Mount Miguel appears to possess the greater big-play potential. Gonzalez was highly efficient, Mobley immediately emerged as a dangerous primary target and Watt can alter the game on special teams. The Matadors also showed that the winning culture established over the previous two seasons did not disappear with the players and coaches who departed.

University City, however, has the home field, a deeper body of returning evidence and a defense that can punish one careless stretch. The Centurions sit six positions ahead of Mount Miguel in the East County Sports Top 40, although the Matadors may already be prepared to challenge that assessment.

This is the game in which Mount Miguel can prove it was underrated. The Matadors should come extremely close to doing exactly that—but University City gets the final possession and survives.

FEARLESS FORECAST: UNIVERSITY CITY 28, MOUNT MIGUEL 27

NO. 22 CHRISTIAN (0-0) AT NO. 30 VALLEY CENTER (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

VALLEY CENTER — Christian begins its season at the same place where it hopes to finish the year: playing meaningful football as a championship contender.

The Patriots’ last appearance was in the CIF State championship game, completing an extraordinary postseason run that transformed a 3-7 team into a section and Southern California regional champion.

Christian won six consecutive games before Bishop O’Dowd ended the run, but the Patriots do not view that finish as a one-time December surge. With senior quarterback Kaleb Runkle, senior receiver Kai Rosier and sophomore running back Julian Morones returning, Christian believes it can contend at the Division II level this season.

Runkle completed 240 of 393 passes for 2,870 yards and 28 touchdowns with only six interceptions last year. He added 572 rushing yards, accounting for 3,442 yards of total offense.

Rosier caught 77 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns while accumulating 1,643 all-purpose yards. Morones rushed for 571 yards as a freshman, averaged 6.8 yards per carry and added 28 receptions for 224 yards.

That gives Christian established production through the air, on the ground and in the return game. Senior Soren Lucey, who caught six touchdown passes last season, supplies another proven target.

Valley Center has already shown why Christian’s opener cannot be treated as a championship victory lap.

The Jaguars defeated Bishop’s 34-17 on the road, rushing for 235 yards and averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Senior running back Mitchell Stehly produced 147 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts, while senior Brandon Reveles added 74 yards on only six carries.

Senior quarterback Jonathan Teeter passed for two touchdowns despite throwing for only 73 yards. Junior Casen Dunham and junior Joaquin Stehly caught the scoring passes.

Valley Center’s defense also intercepted three passes. Senior Gauge Wright made two interceptions, and Dunham added another.

That combination presents a legitimate opening challenge for a Christian defense replacing several of last season’s most productive players. Only four defensive starters return from the group that carried the Patriots through portions of their championship run.

Senior Everick Randall returns after recording 94 tackles. Morones made 64 tackles, 12½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks as a freshman, while Rosier contributed 49 tackles and two interceptions.

Christian believes its increased depth will allow Rosier and other two-way standouts to spend more time concentrating on their principal roles. The Patriots also enter the season with greater size along the offensive line, led by senior Grant Yeagley, senior Reed Rundlett Gardner and senior Ryker Leeman.

The greatest concern is timing. Valley Center has already played a complete game, while Christian must establish its rhythm against an opponent that demonstrated it can control possession and force turnovers.

The Jaguars should test Christian’s rebuilt defense with Stehly and Reveles. But if the Patriots prevent Valley Center from controlling the game on the ground, the Jaguars may struggle to match Runkle, Rosier and Christian’s expanded group of receivers over four quarters.

Valley Center has the home field and the advantage of an opening victory. Christian has the more accomplished quarterback, more explosive receiving talent and the memory of what happened once everything finally came together last season.

The Patriots begin 2026 by carrying that momentum into another close victory.

FEARLESS FORECAST: CHRISTIAN 28, VALLEY CENTER 24

LINFIELD CHRISTIAN (0-1) AT MOUNTAIN EMPIRE (1-0)

Thursday, 6 p.m.

PINE VALLEY — Mountain Empire could hardly have produced a more convincing opening statement.

The RedHawks combined an explosive passing attack, a punishing ground game and a dominant defensive performance to defeat Hamilton, 39-0. Now comes a considerably stronger test—and an opportunity to show that the opening rout reflected Mountain Empire’s continued rise under head coach Cam Keller, not merely the quality of its opponent.

Senior quarterback Chance Ross completed 8 of 12 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns against Hamilton. Senior receiver Amar Mahasin caught all three scoring passes and turned five receptions into 196 yards, averaging an extraordinary 39.2 yards per catch.

Junior running back Elisha Robinson prevented Hamilton from concentrating on the passing game. Robinson carried 24 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns, giving the RedHawks 372 yards from their three principal offensive playmakers alone.

Mountain Empire was just as effective defensively. Senior David Oney recorded six tackles, five quarterback pressures and one tackle for loss as the RedHawks completed the shutout.

More encouraging than the final margin was the manner in which Mountain Empire controlled the game. The RedHawks protected the football, limited their penalties and followed the game plan Keller had emphasized throughout their preparation.

Their improvement can also be measured against recent history. Mountain Empire edged Hamilton 28-25 last season. This time, the RedHawks turned a three-point victory into a 39-point shutout.

Linfield Christian should reveal much more about Mountain Empire’s progress.

The Lions compete in the Southern Section and possess a stronger overall program pedigree than Hamilton, although they opened their season with a 25-6 loss to Orange Vista.

Junior quarterback Tripp Calas completed only 47.2 percent of his passes in the opener but connected with senior receiver Luke Shin for Linfield Christian’s only touchdown. Shin finished with 46 receiving yards, while sophomore Michael Sands added 44.

Linfield Christian’s most productive opening-night performance came from senior linebacker Madden Mayer, who recorded 13 tackles and two sacks. Senior linebacker Caleb Briganti added eight tackles.

The Lions should provide much greater resistance to Mountain Empire’s running game, and their pass rush will challenge an offense that produced several quick-strike plays against Hamilton. The RedHawks also face a short turnaround after playing Friday, although they will remain home in Pine Valley.

Mountain Empire’s combination of Ross, Mahasin and Robinson gives it a legitimate chance to carry the game into the fourth quarter. The RedHawks are improving rapidly, and another major step forward would not be surprising.

Linfield Christian, however, represents a sizable jump in competition. The Lions’ defensive front and overall schedule strength should eventually create the separation they need, but Mountain Empire has already supplied enough evidence to expect a competitive game.

FEARLESS FORECAST: LINFIELD CHRISTIAN 31, MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 21

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN (0-1) AT CALIPATRIA (0-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

CALIPATRIA — Foothills Christian’s season opener confirmed that the Knights face one of the most difficult rebuilding assignments in the San Diego Section.

Escondido Charter defeated Foothills Christian 48-0, controlling the game with 365 yards of offense and forcing three interceptions.

Senior quarterback Blake Jurges completed 13 of 20 passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 81 yards and another score. Senior Sam Hinrichs caught two touchdown passes and returned an interception for another touchdown.

The White Tigers also rushed for 227 yards, placing pressure on the Knights through the air, on the ground and with their defense.

Foothills Christian enters Week 2 at the bottom of the current county ratings and must now travel to the Imperial Valley for Calipatria’s season opener.

The Hornets are beginning a new era under first-year head coach Ray Vandiver, a former co-head coach at Brawley. Calipatria finished 4-6 last season but returns several experienced two-way players suited for the physical, run-oriented style Vandiver is expected to install.

Senior Sebastyan Lopez and senior Daniel Alcala have competed for the quarterback position. Both can contribute in several roles, with the player not taking the snaps capable of moving to running back or receiver.

Senior Rhiann Potter supplies another rushing option, while senior Jordan Hickingbottom, senior Emiliano Alegria and Lopez form the foundation of the linebacking unit.

Senior Justin Iniguez, Alcala and senior Raven De La Torre give Calipatria experience in the secondary, an important advantage against a Foothills Christian offense that threw three interceptions last week.

Calipatria used approximately 10 times as many rushing attempts as passes last season, and that identity is unlikely to change significantly under Vandiver. The Hornets should attack directly behind an experienced group of two-way linemen and force the Knights to demonstrate that they can hold up for four quarters.

Foothills Christian’s immediate objective is not reversing its entire outlook in one week. The Knights need to protect the football, establish some offensive rhythm and prevent another game from escaping before halftime.

A touchdown would represent a tangible step forward after the opening shutout.

Calipatria may need time to settle into its first game under a new coaching staff, but its experience, physical advantage and rushing attack should eventually overwhelm the Knights. Foothills Christian reaches the scoreboard this time, but the Hornets remain in complete control.

FEARLESS FORECAST: CALIPATRIA 42, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 7

ELSEWHERE

MISSION BAY (0-1) AT NO. 31 PATRICK HENRY (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Patrick Henry scored touchdowns on five of its first six possessions and built a 35-16 lead before surviving La Jolla’s late comeback, 35-30.

Senior quarterback Madin Gardini produced 386 total yards, passing for 257 and rushing for 129. Senior receiver Kymani Joseph caught a 51-yard touchdown on the opening drive and finished with 118 receiving yards. Senior Paul Ferracci gives the Patriots another explosive option.

Mission Bay fell 25-20 to Imperial despite 215 passing yards from senior quarterback Austin Stefl and 145 receiving yards from junior Sean Lander. The Buccaneers managed only five rushing yards, leaving the offense almost entirely dependent upon the pass.

Patrick Henry must finish more cleanly after missing a field goal and fumbling in the end zone while La Jolla mounted its comeback. Still, the Patriots possess the more balanced offense, have the home field and showed how quickly they can create separation.

Mission Bay should find opportunities against a defense that allowed 30 points, but Gardini and Patrick Henry have too many ways to answer.

FEARLESS FORECAST: PATRICK HENRY 35, MISSION BAY 27

NO. 25 RAMONA (0-1) AT NO. 12 POWAY (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Ramona came within one point of winning its opener despite producing almost no rushing attack.

Senior quarterback Ryan Shaw passed for 283 yards in the Bulldogs’ 17-16 loss to Holtville. Senior receiver Trake Kelly accounted for 115 receiving yards, but Ramona managed only six rushing yards as a team. Senior running back Keegan McElwee led the Bulldogs with 13.

That imbalance becomes a serious concern against Poway.

The Titans rushed for 300 yards while shutting out No. 20 Scripps Ranch 16-0—their first opening-game shutout since 2003. Senior Carson Williams led the ground game with 118 yards, while junior quarterback Trenton Schrecker passed for 89.

Senior kicker Nathan Dann accounted for 10 of Poway’s 16 points, and senior linebacker Rowan Marcos led the defense with seven tackles.

Ramona’s passing game gives the Bulldogs a chance to move the ball, but Poway can control possession with its rushing attack and force Shaw to operate against a defense that did not allow a point last week.

FEARLESS FORECAST: POWAY 31, RAMONA 7

MORSE (0-1) AT NO. 32 EASTLAKE (1-0)

Morse will try to recover from a difficult opener after Santana scored the first 30 points and defeated the Tigers 37-12. Morse managed only 154 total yards, with junior Deandre Eleby accounting for nearly all its production.

Eleby rushed 13 times for 125 yards and both Morse touchdowns while adding 23 receiving yards. Quarterback Nikolaos Banks completed 10 of 16 passes but gained only 46 yards through the air, leaving the Tigers without enough balance to sustain drives.

That presents a difficult matchup against an Eastlake defense that opened with a 28-0 shutout of Bonita Vista. Noah McCurty led the Titans with 12 tackles and a sack, Jovani Ceja and Stephen Guevara made eight tackles apiece, and David Branco added seven. Eastlake allowed only 206 total yards while recording two sacks.

The Titans were not overwhelming offensively, but they did not need to be. Quarterback Joe Waters passed for 111 yards, David Branco rushed for 67, Jeremiah Holliday contributed 54 receiving yards and a touchdown, and David Sampson also caught a scoring pass.

Morse can make this more competitive if Eleby generates explosive plays and the defense prevents Eastlake from establishing control early. The Tigers, however, must find additional production around him after Nikolaos Banks was repeatedly pushed backward by Santana’s pressure.

Eastlake has the stronger defense, greater offensive balance and home-field advantage. That combination should allow the Titans to remain unbeaten.

FEARLESS FORECAST: EASTLAKE 35, MORSE 10

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