Robinson, RedHawks run past O’Farrell

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 5, 2026

Amar Mahasin, David Oney, Angel Avila, Chance Ross, Spencer Alvarez, and Ezekiel Lopez of Mountain Empire

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 50, O’FARRELL CHARTER 16

By Ramon Scott
ECS senior writer

PINE VALLEY — Elisha Robinson delivered a career performance Friday, rushing for 300 yards and four touchdowns as Mountain Empire rolled past O’Farrell Charter, 50-16.

The victory improved the RedHawks to 2-1 and continued their offensive dominance at home. Mountain Empire has scored 106 points in its two games in Pine Valley, including a 56-0 season-opening victory over Hamilton.

Robinson’s performance gives the junior 539 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through three games, based on the first two games reported to MaxPreps and the statistics provided by Mountain Empire’s coaching staff Friday.

Senior quarterback Chance Ross accounted for two touchdowns, throwing one scoring pass and adding another on the ground. Ross has now thrown five touchdown passes without an interception this season.

Amar Mahasin caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. The senior has 12 receptions for 311 yards and four touchdowns through three games, averaging nearly 26 yards per catch.

Mountain Empire also welcomed back Nic Santos following an injury. Santos caught three passes for 30 yards, and coach Cameron Keller said his return gives the RedHawks another dependable receiving option and helps open the offense for Robinson, Mahasin and Ross.

“Good to have (Santos) back,” Keller said. “Opens up the offense.”

Defensively, Spencer Alvarez recorded a sack and three tackles for loss as Mountain Empire handed O’Farrell its third consecutive defeat.

The RedHawks now prepare for another home game Friday against Crawford in an intriguing matchup between teams coming off decisive victories.

Crawford improved to 1-2 by blanking San Ysidro, 36-0. Quarterback Gio Garcia completed 17 of 22 passes for 146 yards and four touchdowns, while Damian Monroy caught nine passes for 105 yards and two scores.

The Colts’ defense intercepted four passes, including two by Zydan Idris and one apiece by Shamar Warren and Amare Patterson.

Crawford opened the season with a competitive 31-23 loss to Monte Vista before being blanked by Santana, 49-0. Its breakthrough against San Ysidro suggests Mountain Empire will face a much stronger challenge than it did against O’Farrell.

Friday’s game could turn on contrasting strengths. Crawford brings a passing attack led by Garcia and Monroy, while Mountain Empire counters with Robinson’s explosive running and a receiving group strengthened by Santos’ return.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Pine Valley.

ROBINSON SURPASSES 2,000 CAREER RUSHING YARDS

PINE VALLEY — Elisha Robinson’s 300-yard eruption against O’Farrell Charter was not merely the best performance of his junior season. It was the finest rushing game of his Mountain Empire career.

Robinson carried the RedHawks to a 50-16 victory with four rushing touchdowns, surpassing his previous career high of 230 yards against Victory Christian Academy last season.

The performance also pushed Robinson beyond 2,000 career rushing yards. Based on statistics reported to MaxPreps and Friday’s numbers supplied by Mountain Empire’s coaching staff, Robinson has rushed for 2,085 yards and 24 touchdowns during his three varsity seasons.

Robinson saw limited varsity action as a freshman, gaining 103 yards on 18 carries over five games. His breakthrough came during Mountain Empire’s 9-3 season in 2025.

As a sophomore, Robinson rushed 168 times for 1,443 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He reached 100 yards in nine of his 10 appearances and ranked 11th in the San Diego Section in rushing yardage.

His 2025 season included 230 yards and three touchdowns against Victory Christian, 228 yards and three scores against Foothills Christian, and 182 yards with three touchdowns in a second meeting with Victory Christian.

Robinson has raised those numbers again this fall. He has rushed for 539 yards and seven touchdowns through three games, an average of 179.7 yards per contest. He also has contributed as a receiver and kick returner, scoring once in each role against Linfield Christian.

His 300-yard night against O’Farrell accounted for more rushing yardage than Robinson accumulated during his entire freshman season and nearly 21 percent of his sophomore total.

Still only a junior, Robinson already has produced 11 career 100-yard rushing games. With most of two seasons remaining, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound running back has placed himself within range of several significant career milestones.

The next challenge arrives Friday against Crawford, which intercepted four passes and recorded its first shutout of the season in a 36-0 victory over San Ysidro. That defensive performance should ensure Robinson receives plenty of attention, but opponents already have learned that locating Mountain Empire’s featured back and containing him are two different assignments.