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EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER – Week 4

Granite Hills junior Ty Spencer. / Ghadeer Ali

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER

By Ramon Scott

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON — East County’s best chance to make a countywide statement this week may not come from one of its projected winners.

No. 7 Granite Hills draws the area’s biggest assignment when it hosts No. 2 Mission Hills, the newly crowned No. 1 team in the local media poll and a decisive favorite in every major computer projection.

There are more likely East County victories elsewhere. Valhalla should continue overwhelming an accommodating schedule, while Christian, Steele Canyon, Santana, West Hills, El Capitan, Foothills Christian and perhaps El Cajon Valley all enter winnable games. Grossmont may be the region’s most intriguing underdog after its 3-0 start, although unbeaten Point Loma represents a considerable step upward.

But no local game carries the stature of Mission Hills at Granite Hills.

The Eagles have deliberately accepted a demanding schedule and already absorbed one difficult lesson against Oceanside. They also proved their resilience by winning at Mater Dei Catholic. Now they face a Mission Hills team receiving enormous respect from voters and rating systems alike.

Granite Hills enters as roughly a three-touchdown underdog, making an upset a substantial ask. Still, this is exactly the type of opponent the Eagles scheduled to measure themselves against—and it gives them an opportunity to show that their early lumps have prepared them for the county’s highest level.

Here are this week’s games…

EAGLES MEASURE THEMSELVES AGAINST COUNTY’S NEW NO. 1

No. 2 MISSION HILLS (3-0) at No. 7 GRANITE HILLS (1-1), 7 p.m.

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON — Granite Hills deliberately constructed a schedule designed to prepare the Eagles for Open Division football.

Friday night will show whether those difficult assignments have hardened the Eagles—or exposed too many developing areas for them to remain among the San Diego Section’s elite.

No. 7 Granite Hills returns from its bye to host No. 2 Mission Hills, the undefeated program that replaced Carlsbad atop this week’s local media poll and also stands No. 1 in the latest MaxPreps San Diego Section rankings.

The Grizzlies have outscored their first three opponents 120-13, recording two blowouts before making their most emphatic statement last week.

Mission Hills defeated No. 6 Oceanside 38-10—the same Oceanside team that controlled Granite Hills during the Eagles’ season opener.

Football results do not always transfer cleanly from one matchup to another, but this comparison is difficult to ignore. Oceanside defeated Granite Hills 44-29 after building a 30-7 advantage, then encountered an entirely different level of resistance against Mission Hills.

Grizzlies quarterback Furian Inferrera completed 14 of 19 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns against the Pirates. Ryan MacKenzie caught seven passes for 122 yards and two scores, while Mission Hills’ defense held an Oceanside offense that had repeatedly created explosive plays against Granite Hills to only 10 points.

Senior Kai Taitano supplied one of the week’s most complete defensive performances with five tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and an interception.

Oceanside running back Neke Letuli still rushed 17 times for 118 yards, but the Pirates never produced the sustained scoring pressure they generated against Granite Hills.

Mission Hills has averaged 394.7 yards, including 250.7 passing and 144 rushing, through three games. Inferrera is averaging 250.7 passing yards, and MacKenzie has supplied 121.7 receiving yards per game as the Grizzlies’ primary downfield threat.

That balance presents a severe challenge for a Granite Hills defense that has experienced depth problems along its front.

The Eagles allowed Oceanside to establish early control and then surrendered 31 points to Mater Dei Catholic before escaping Chula Vista with a dramatic 38-31 victory. Granite Hills led the Crusaders by 14 points twice, but Mater Dei Catholic erased both deficits and tied the game during the fourth quarter.

Granite Hills survived when its defense recovered a fumble with 1:47 remaining and the offense responded with a 73-yard winning drive.

Senior running back Gage Spalding finished that drive with a 1-yard touchdown and completed a breakout performance with 109 rushing yards and two scores on 15 carries. He accumulated 136 yards from scrimmage while helping the Eagles rebound from the minus-2 rushing yards they recorded against Oceanside.

Senior quarterback Zac Benitez completed 16 of 27 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns against Mater Dei Catholic and added 39 rushing yards despite facing frequent pressure.

His connection with senior receiver Courtney “Nino” Miller-Thompson remains Granite Hills’ most dangerous offensive weapon. Miller-Thompson caught six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns against the Crusaders after producing 12 receptions for 230 yards and four scores at Oceanside.

Through two games, Miller-Thompson has amassed 18 receptions for 310 yards and six touchdowns—an average of 155 yards and three scores per appearance.

Sophomore Manny Walker added five receptions for 57 yards in the victory, while Jesse Wilhite changed the game with a 49-yard punt-return touchdown and accumulated 126 return yards.

Those playmakers give Granite Hills the ability to continue scoring even if Mission Hills establishes control. The Eagles already demonstrated that quality at Oceanside, turning a 30-7 deficit into a final score that appeared much more competitive.

The concern is whether Benitez will receive enough protection to attack Mission Hills consistently.

Granite Hills graduated the veteran offensive line that helped drive its championship run, and this year’s developing group has endured predictable growing pains. Benitez has faced substantial pressure, the Eagles have fallen behind by multiple touchdowns in both games, and opponents have returned an interception for a touchdown in each appearance.

The bye gave Granite Hills two weeks to address its protection, restore health along the defensive front and prepare for what Spalding called the Eagles’ “ultimate test.”

“We lost our whole line,” Spalding said after the Mater Dei Catholic victory. “We’ve got to hit the hole a little bit harder. It’s not going to be there as much. We can’t be patient, really. We’ve got to just go.”

Granite Hills has reason to believe it can compete in this series.

The Eagles defeated Mission Hills 27-17 in 2023 and won 28-17 at Mission Hills in 2024 before the Grizzlies answered with a 31-21 victory last season. Granite Hills’ two wins came during the program’s championship run and demonstrated that the Eagles can match Mission Hills physically when operating at full strength.

Friday offers an opportunity to change the direction of this season.

Granite Hills remains a dangerous team with an accomplished senior quarterback, one of the county’s most productive receivers and enough explosive ability on offense and special teams to punish mistakes. An upset would immediately restore the Eagles’ standing as an Open Division contender and outweigh nearly every unfavorable impression created during their opening two games.

Mission Hills, however, enters as the more complete team. The Grizzlies have started faster, protected the football more effectively and demonstrated strength on both sides of the line. Their decisive victory over Oceanside provided the clearest evidence yet that they deserve the No. 1 recognition received elsewhere this week.

Granite Hills should be more competitive at home after its open week than the most lopsided computer projections suggest. Benitez and Miller-Thompson also should create enough offense to keep the Eagles from disappearing after halftime.

But unless Granite Hills’ developing offensive line produces its best performance of the season, Mission Hills’ balance and defensive pressure should eventually create separation.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: MISSION HILLS 38, GRANITE HILLS 31

OLD RIVALS MEET AS SCOTTIES FACE RISING PIRATES

No. 6 OCEANSIDE (1-2) at No. 16 HELIX (2-1), 7 p.m.

LA MESA — The records suggest Helix enters Friday night’s game at Hart Stadium with the advantage. The competition each team has faced tells a far different story.

Oceanside opened the season by overpowering Granite Hills before losing to the top two of the top three teams in the county in Carlsbad and Mission Hills. The Pirates’ 1-2 record is no indication of their quality. This program is enjoying a revival reminiscent of Oceanside’s championship years, with a powerful line led by Michigan-bound standout Lincoln Mageo and a physical running game capable of controlling the evening.

Even during last week’s 38-10 loss to Mission Hills, running back Neke Letuli carried 17 times for 118 yards. He now faces a Helix defense that allowed St. Augustine standout Paisios Polamalu to rush for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

The Highlanders still escaped with a 27-20 victory because their defense produced the game’s two defining plays. Jeremy Robinson returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown, and Jacob “J.J.” Andrew-Johnson delivered a 98-yard pick-six after also catching a 48-yard touchdown pass from Caden Thompson.

Andrew-Johnson is the difference-maker Helix must involve in as many ways as possible. The Highlanders need to get the ball into his hands in space rather than wait for another interception return or isolated deep opportunity. Helix also possesses enough strength along the line to compete physically for stretches, while Donte Wright and Bryson Calloway give the Highlanders a capable rushing combination.

Still, Helix generated only 226 yards of offense against St. Augustine and received half of its touchdowns from the secondary. Depending upon defensive scores every week is a dangerous formula, especially against an Oceanside team that already defeated Granite Hills and beat Helix 41-14 last season.

Helix has a top dawg of their own in the trenches in Kiti Fuga (Class of 2028): An elite interior offensive lineman. He transferred to Helix and quickly made an impact, earning accolades for his dominant performance clearing running lanes. He already holds several Division I college scholarship offers, including schools like San Jose State, Arizona, and Oregon State

This is one of the San Diego Section’s genuine traditional rivalries. The teams met during the playoffs in nine seasons between 2000 and 2014, frequently with a championship or championship berth at stake. Oceanside owns a 10-4 advantage in their 14 meetings since 2000, including eight postseason victories, and has won the last seven games in the series.

Helix appears improved after consecutive sub-.500 seasons, and its two straight road victories demonstrate real progress. The Highlanders’ rugged early schedule should eventually help them, but Friday’s assignment arrives while the Pirates are operating at another level.

Andrew-Johnson should create at least one explosive touchdown, and the home field could keep Helix competitive early. Eventually, however, Oceanside’s strength up front and Letuli’s running should wear down the Highlanders.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: OCEANSIDE 35, HELIX 28

TOUCHDOWN ROULETTE CONTINUES FOR POWERFUL NORSEMEN

MAR VISTA (2-1) at No. 15 VALHALLA (2-0), 7 p.m.

EL CAJON — The opponents are becoming progressively stronger for Valhalla, but the central question remains the same: How long will it take the Norsemen to start the running clock—and which player will win this week’s touchdown roulette?

After victories of 75-0 and 66-0, Valhalla has outscored its first two opponents 141-0. First-year head coach Jason Carter isn’t running up scores. The Norsemen have operated their basic offense, substituted liberally and given their reserves significant playing time. The problem for their opponents is that Valhalla’s second unit has continued scoring.

Against Castle Park, the Norsemen produced 341 yards from scrimmage and seven offensive touchdowns on only 22 plays. Sophomore Camryn Conley amassed 280 all-purpose yards, while AJ Wright, Tyrell Brown, Jayden Hunter and Deven Segovia all found the end zone.

Senior Jeremiah Loper, who established himself as a successful varsity quarterback at Mount Miguel last season, completed 5 of 8 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Adrian Wilson has accumulated the bigger season numbers because Valhalla’s enormous early leads have provided him with extended playing time, but Loper remains the established first-unit quarterback.

The Norsemen’s transformation involves more than the talented players who have joined the program. Valhalla possessed some capable linemen and other useful pieces even during its recent losing seasons. The arrival of additional talent has elevated those returning players, creating competition at practice and a chemistry that becomes stronger with every victory.

Mar Vista deserves credit for its promising start. The Mariners defeated Calipatria 44-14 last week behind quarterback Michael Mercado, who passed for 172 yards and four touchdowns. Braylon Shumate caught four passes for 102 yards and two scores, added a 92-yard touchdown on a reverse and intercepted a pass. Jehiel Crawford contributed three receptions and two touchdowns.

Those playmakers give Mar Vista a better chance than Valhalla’s first two opponents of ending the Norsemen’s season-opening shutout streak. Still, this represents an enormous increase in size, speed and overall depth for the Mariners.

Mar Vista may land one explosive play before this one gets away, but the Norsemen should produce another early avalanche. The running clock might have to wait until the second half this time—but perhaps not for long.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: VALHALLA 56, MAR VISTA 7

PATRIOTS’ DEFENSE CAN CARRY NEW-LOOK OFFENSE

No. 17 CHRISTIAN (2-0) at OLYMPIAN (1-2), 6:30 p.m.

CHULA VISTA — Christian entered the season with an explosive passing attack and one of the county’s established quarterbacks. One injury has forced the Patriots to begin discovering whether they can win in an entirely different fashion.

Quarterback Kaleb Runkle left last week’s home opener after only three offensive snaps with a lower-leg injury. Initial concern centered upon a possible fibula fracture, and Runkle later went to the hospital for further evaluation.

Christian must proceed as though its starting quarterback will be unavailable Friday night.

Fortunately for the Patriots, they may possess one of the strongest defenses in program history.

Christian held Bishop’s without a touchdown during last week’s 17-3 victory, limiting a traditionally potent Knights offense to its lowest point total in years. The Patriots have surrendered only 23 points in two games and just nine over their past five quarters.

That defense gives head coach Patrick Bugg time to reconstruct the offense without asking an inexperienced quarterback to win immediately through the air.

Senior Kai Rosier took over against Bishop’s despite never having practiced at quarterback. Operating primarily from a wildcat formation, Rosier completed 5 of 8 passes without an interception and scored both Christian touchdowns on short runs. His athleticism allows the Patriots to function with a limited passing game, although using him behind center removes their most explosive receiving threat from the formation.

Christian could continue with Rosier, introduce one of its developing quarterbacks or employ a combination of both. Whatever approach the Patriots choose, sophomore running back Julian Morones should remain the foundation.

Morones rushed 20 times for 107 yards against Bishop’s after gaining 112 yards and scoring three touchdowns in the opener. He has reached 100 rushing yards in both games and already has 240 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns this season. The sophomore was outstanding as a freshman and remains one of the county’s most underrated young backs.

Olympian can crowd the line, account for Rosier on every snap and challenge Christian to complete passes downfield. The Eagles have produced 3.7 sacks per game, making protection particularly important if the Patriots turn to a young quarterback.

The larger problem for Olympian is a defense that has surrendered 102 points through three games. Mission Bay defeated the Eagles 44-7 last week as quarterback Austin Stefl threw five touchdown passes and rushed for another. Olympian has averaged only 222.3 yards offensively, leaving a difficult matchup against Christian’s fast, physical defense.

The Patriots may not approach the 48-point projection produced before Runkle’s injury, and the offense could remain uneven while its new structure takes shape. Christian does not need a finished product this week. Morones, Rosier and the defense should provide more than enough.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: CHRISTIAN 31, OLYMPIAN 10

FOOTHILLERS LOOKING FOR SIGNATURE UPSET

No. 18 GROSSMONT (3-0) at No. 8 POINT LOMA (3-0), 7 p.m.

SAN DIEGO — Three victories have established Grossmont as one of East County’s best early-season stories. A fourth would elevate the Foothillers into an entirely different countywide conversation.

Point Loma represents the first genuine upper-level examination for a Grossmont team that has combined an explosive offense with enough timely defense to remain unbeaten. The Foothillers have won road games considered upsets during head coach Anthony Lawrence’s tenure, and Lawrence has collected three career playoff victories, but defeating the eighth-ranked Pointers would represent the program’s most significant breakthrough under his leadership.

Grossmont finally submitted its complete statistics from last week’s 28-14 victory over Bonita Vista, and the numbers confirmed the depth of its offense.

Quarterback Tyler Holmes completed 23 of 37 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns, although he was intercepted twice. He also rushed 12 times for 51 yards as the Foothillers accumulated 470 total yards.

Jonah Martinez caught six passes for 143 yards and a touchdown, while Nate Clark added nine receptions for 109 yards and a score. Jackson Baird caught Grossmont’s other touchdown pass, and Jamar McClendon broke a 51-yard scoring run.

The Foothillers are now averaging 465.7 yards per game, including 247.3 passing and 218.3 rushing. Holmes averages 319 yards of total offense, giving Grossmont enough firepower to respond if Point Loma jumps ahead.

Keeping pace may be necessary.

Pointers quarterback Ryder Watson produced one of the county’s biggest individual performances last week, passing for 407 yards and four touchdowns while adding 84 rushing yards and another score in a 52-25 victory over La Jolla.

Watson has averaged 355.3 total yards through three games. His receiving corps creates problems across the field: Tanner Spradling caught six passes for 172 yards and a touchdown last week, Ryan Cleator added three receptions for 121 yards and a score, and Graham Murdock finished with four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Point Loma has outscored its opponents 137-39 and is averaging 45.7 points. The Pointers’ schedule and performances are why East County Sports has them rated higher than most other polls entering Week 4.

Grossmont’s decisive challenge comes on defense. Bonita Vista rushed for 177 yards with Ta’Vyon Moore, although the Foothillers kept him out of the end zone. Rudy Gomez made 15 tackles, Vinny Michelson added 11 and forced a fumble, and Baird recorded seven tackles and two sacks.

That unit must produce its strongest performance of the season. Grossmont cannot allow Watson extended time to find his receivers, and surrendering the explosive completions that have fueled Point Loma’s undefeated start would force the Foothillers into a shootout on the road.

This game also previews the weekly standard Grossmont will encounter in the Grossmont Hills League. It is not merely a one-night opportunity to upset a top-10 opponent; it is a measurement of whether the Foothillers are prepared to compete with upper-division programs throughout the remainder of the season.

Grossmont’s offense is good enough to make the Pointers work deep into the second half. Holmes and his collection of playmakers should generate points, but Point Loma’s passing attack is the most difficult matchup the Foothillers have encountered—and probably exposes the remaining gap between an impressive start and the county’s top tier.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: POINT LOMA 38, GROSSMONT 27

COUGARS SEEK HOME RESET AGAINST VISITING EAGLES

RANCHO CHRISTIAN (2-1) at No. 20 STEELE CANYON (1-2), 7 p.m.

SPRING VALLEY — Steele Canyon has not overwhelmed anyone during its uneven opening stretch, but Friday night’s return to the Den presents an opportunity for the Cougars to regain their footing.

The Cougars have dropped consecutive games to Santa Fe Christian and Eastlake after winning their opener. Their passing attack has not developed as expected, and the traditionally productive Steele Canyon running game has yet to produce a consistent breakout performer.

Senior quarterback Gavin Caha did account for both touchdowns in last week’s 27-14 loss to Eastlake. He connected with Marcus Hunt for a 54-yard touchdown and scored on a 1-yard sneak that pulled the Cougars within 21-14 during the fourth quarter.

Hunt supplied Steele Canyon’s two longest gains, adding a 43-yard run that reached the Eastlake 7. However, the Cougars were stopped on fourth down at the 5, missed a field goal following another productive drive and were turned away after recovering an onside kick with an opportunity to tie the game.

Those missed opportunities prevented a competitive effort from producing a more impressive result.

Eastlake star David Branco rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns, but he accounted for 288 of the Titans’ 325 total yards. Steele Canyon allowed only 37 yards to everyone else, demonstrating that the Cougars remain capable of playing the rugged defense traditionally associated with the program.

That defense must concentrate on Rancho Christian senior Chayce Petry, who averages 107 receiving yards per game and has scored seven total touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Jess Lopez has thrown nine touchdown passes, while junior running back Bentley Hirsch-Quagliata has scored four times on the ground.

Rancho Christian’s 38-point scoring average deserves attention, but it received a considerable boost from last week’s 58-6 victory over winless West Valley. The Eagles’ 2-1 record and collection of athletes make them dangerous, although the available power ratings place them near the bottom of the Ivy League and significantly below Steele Canyon.

The trip from Temecula, Steele Canyon’s home-field advantage and the Cougars’ defensive front should gradually change the matchup. Rancho Christian can create problems through Petry, but Lopez will face more pressure and tighter coverage than he encountered last week.

Steele Canyon still needs greater consistency from its offense before it can be trusted to match the more optimistic projections. Caha and Hunt should generate enough explosive plays, however, and the Cougars’ defense can provide favorable field position while preventing Rancho Christian from sustaining drives.

This may not become the 38-7 runaway the ratings would suggest, but Steele Canyon should control the second half and win by more than one possession.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: STEELE CANYON 31, RANCHO CHRISTIAN 14

MATADORS INHERIT GAME BUILT ON HIGH HOPES

No. 36 MOUNT MIGUEL (1-1) at No. 12 TORREY PINES (2-1), 7:15 p.m.

SAN DIEGO — Mount Miguel’s visit to Torrey Pines is more than a difficult road game. It is a reminder of how dramatically the Matadors’ direction changed between the construction of this schedule and the beginning of this season.

Under the previous staff, Mount Miguel developed from an improving local program into a near-top-10 county team with legitimate championship ambitions. Scheduling a road game against Torrey Pines made sense for that version of the Matadors. It was the type of matchup a rising program accepted to demonstrate that it belonged among the San Diego Section’s upper tier.

What makes Friday’s game so striking is that the commitment remained as many of the players responsible for Mount Miguel’s rise departed and moved elsewhere.

The timing naturally leaves an unanswered football question. If such a significant transition had been anticipated, why was Mount Miguel assembling a schedule built for the next stage of the burgeoning program? The schedule offers no explanation, but it certainly looks like one created with the expectation that the previous staff and the core of its ascending roster would still be together.

Instead, new head coach James Simon inherited the remaining pieces of that program—and the demanding schedule attached to it.

Simon deserves credit for accepting the position, stabilizing the Matadors and giving the athletes who remained an opportunity to continue competing. He did not choose the timing of the transition, and Friday’s matchup should be viewed within that context.

Some legacy computer ratings still place Mount Miguel close to Torrey Pines, even listing the programs nearly side by side within the section. Those numbers continue to reflect part of what the Matadors accomplished over the previous three seasons. Their current performances suggest the distance is considerably greater.

Mount Miguel is averaging 286 yards per game, while Torrey Pines is producing 485.7. The Matadors have allowed 81 points through two games and struggled during their first test away from home. Now they travel farther and encounter a larger a larger, deeper and more physical opponent.

Running back Dominic Lopez has averaged 83 rushing yards for Mount Miguel, while quarterback Enrique Gonzalez has supplied 134.5 passing yards per game.

Cayden “Prince” Mobley remains the Matadors’ leading receiving threat at 97.5 yards per contest and represents their best opportunity to create an explosive score.

Torrey Pines will be motivated after suffering its first loss against unbeaten Rancho Bernardo. The Falcons still average 33.7 points, with quarterback Blake Miller directing a balanced offense and Jacob Kriess leading a rushing attack producing 211 yards per game.

Mount Miguel will need to avoid early turnovers, create a big play through Mobley and prevent Torrey Pines from turning its running game into a long, exhausting evening. That is an imposing list for a team still reconstructing its identity.

This game was scheduled as a measuring stick for the program being built. It now becomes a survival test for the program Simon is attempting to preserve and keep relevant among the county’s successful programs.

The old ratings may call it competitive. The current matchup says otherwise.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: TORREY PINES 45, MOUNT MIGUEL 7

SULTANS TAKE PERFECT START INTO DANGEROUS GAME

No. 37 SANTANA (3-0) at CHULA VISTA (0-3), 6:30 p.m.

CHULA VISTA — The records make Santana appear to be a comfortable favorite. The Spartans’ three games against similar East County competition suggest something much more competitive.

Chula Vista has practically become an honorary Grossmont Conference opponent during its nonleague schedule. The Spartans opened with a 28-13 loss to West Hills, fell only 14-9 against defending Grossmont Valley League champion El Capitan, and then pushed undefeated Patrick Henry throughout a 35-28 loss last week.

That is enough evidence to keep Santana from treating this as another routine assignment.

The Sultans have supplied even more convincing evidence of their own. They have defeated Morse, Crawford and Brawley by a combined 121-12, including consecutive shutouts by a combined 84 points.

Senior quarterback Ethan Miller completed 24 of 31 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 35-0 victory over Brawley. He has thrown for approximately 878 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing nearly 79 percent of his attempts through three games.

The transformation is remarkable for an offense that averaged only 14 points last season.

Kolten “Koko” Thornton has become the Sultans’ premier big-play threat. He caught four passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns against Brawley, scoring from 65 and 49 yards. Over the past two games, Thornton has 12 receptions for 264 yards and five touchdowns.

The Sultans also possess enough alternatives to prevent opponents from devoting their entire defense to Thornton. Denton Goar made six receptions for 69 yards last week, nine Santana players caught at least one pass, and Julian Mayers supplied a 65-yard touchdown run.

Santana’s defense may be an equally important development. The Sultans have gone eight consecutive quarters without allowing a point, recovering three fumbles against Brawley. Brayton Knight recorded 11 tackles, Tatum Morehouse and Cameron Cipro made eight apiece, and Brody Tena recovered two fumbles.

This is Santana’s first pair of consecutive shutouts since 2019, when the Sultans blanked Mar Vista and Sweetwater during an 11-2 season. That team finished second in the Valley League after a 37-19 loss to Monte Vista in the deciding game and later reached the Division IV championship game.

The current Sultans have not yet earned that comparison, but their results against Morse, Crawford and Brawley are becoming difficult to dismiss. All three are respected programs at this competitive level, and Santana did not merely defeat them—it controlled them.

Chula Vista, however, presents a different challenge.

The Spartans rushed for 263 yards against Patrick Henry. Sophomore Asher Richardson carried 16 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns, while senior Elijah Richardson added 112 yards on 19 attempts. Quarterback Isaiah Orta completed 10 of 15 passes, with Jaylen Clark catching nine for 82 yards and a touchdown.

That running game can shorten the night, keep Miller and Thornton on the sideline and force Santana to play its first close fourth quarter of the season.

The comparison with Chula Vista’s previous East County opponents is instructive. El Capitan won here by five. West Hills won by 15. Santana currently sits alongside those programs in most ratings and may be playing better than either of them at this particular moment.

Still, this is exactly where an undefeated team can encounter trouble—on the road, against a winless opponent that has played better than its record and while beginning to receive recognition for its dominant start.

Santana cannot spend the evening reading its own clippings. If the Sultans bring the same urgency that produced early control against Crawford and Brawley, Miller’s accuracy and Thornton’s explosiveness should provide the difference. If not, Chula Vista is capable of turning this into a fourth-quarter coin flip.

The Sultans have earned the selection, but not a runaway prediction.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: SANTANA 31, CHULA VISTA 20

NO-EXCUSES ROAD TEST AWAITS UNBEATEN WOLF PACK

No. 38 WEST HILLS (3-0) at HILLTOP (2-1), 7 p.m.

CHULA VISTA — West Hills is the better team, possesses the more convincing résumé and would consider anything short of a fourth consecutive victory a major disappointment.

That does not make Friday night’s visit to Hilltop a free space on the schedule.

The Wolf Pack improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2022 by defeating previously unbeaten Mira Mesa 17-9 last week. West Hills limited an offense that had generated 913 yards through two games to only 174 total yards, including 36 on the ground.

Senior quarterback Evin Dill carried 16 times for 105 yards and a touchdown while adding a creatively designed 5-yard scoring pass to Jackson Davis. Dill now leads the Wolf Pack with 258 rushing yards and has accumulated 656 yards of total offense.

West Hills’ depth in the backfield has complemented its quarterback. E.J. Lee-Fields, Evan Dorris, Marcus Leath and Rene Varela-Ugalde helped the Wolf Pack rush for 229 yards against Mira Mesa. Leath contributed 70 yards from scrimmage, while Davis supplied the game’s decisive touchdown reception.

The defense remains West Hills’ most dependable quality. The Wolf Pack held standout back Marques “Juju” Salmond to 36 yards on 14 carries, with Mira Mesa’s only touchdown following a blocked punt that created possession near the goal line.

Lee-Fields leads the defense, Caden Johnson has provided playmaking in the secondary and Zach Waters, Ryan Hamilton and Seth Creech have supplied pressure from the front. West Hills recorded 11 pass breakups last week and has allowed only 32 points through three games.

Hilltop presents a more modest offensive challenge, but its 2-1 record commands respect.

The Lancers defeated El Cajon Valley 45-6, survived a struggling Coronado team 8-7 and then suffered a 16-0 loss at Otay Ranch. Hilltop could not score last week, but its defense kept the game manageable behind Abraham Matuz, who recorded 12 tackles and two sacks.

Matuz and Zion Almazon lead an active defensive front capable of disrupting West Hills’ ball-control approach. Offensively, Tre Nichols III and Lajuan Johnson will attempt to establish a running game that has produced most of Hilltop’s yardage.

This matchup carries an interesting coaching connection. Hilltop is led by former Chargers punter Bryan Wagner, now in his seventh season with the Lancers. Wagner guided Hilltop to a Division IV playoff victory last year, the program’s first postseason win during his tenure.

West Hills understands that kind of postseason threshold. The Wolf Pack have regularly been capable of earning a playoff victory, but advancing beyond the next round has remained elusive. This year’s team appears better equipped to take another step because it can win through defense, its running game or Dill’s versatility.

The road setting should keep this closer than the most optimistic projections. Hilltop can pressure the quarterback, shorten the game and make West Hills earn every possession. The Wolf Pack also scored only 17 last week and must avoid the special-teams mistake that nearly allowed Mira Mesa back into the game.

Still, this is a no-excuses assignment for an undefeated West Hills team. The Wolf Pack are more balanced, more tested and playing considerably better football.

Hilltop should prevent a runaway, but West Hills should enter the fourth quarter with control and finish the job.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: WEST HILLS 24, HILLTOP 14

VAQUEROS MUST TURN PROMISE INTO A COMPLETE FINISH

EL CAPITAN (1-2) at BONITA VISTA (0-3), 6:30 p.m.

CHULA VISTA — El Capitan discovered a promising young quarterback last week. What the Vaqueros failed to produce was a clean finish.

Two high snaps destroyed fourth-down opportunities inside the Ramona 25, and a fourth-quarter fumble gave the Bulldogs the short field they needed to rally for a 27-21 victory. El Capitan led after each of the first three quarters before allowing 13 unanswered points in the fourth.

The Vaqueros cannot permit that disappointment to follow them into Friday night’s road game against winless Bonita Vista.

Sophomore Daniel Montijo received his first varsity start after Hayden Passanissi was ruled out before the Ramona game. Montijo entered with almost no varsity experience but completed 10 of 14 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

He displayed good touch on intermediate throws, completed passes to four receivers and moved laterally well enough to give the offense an element that has not always existed within El Capitan’s traditional approach.

The damaging snaps sailed beyond Montijo’s reach and should not be treated as quarterback mistakes. They nevertheless reflected breakdowns in execution at the most important moments. One erased a scoring opportunity at the Ramona 7, and the other ended El Capitan’s final serious possession on fourth-and-1 near the Bulldogs’ 10.

If Passanissi is healthy, his experience could return him to the lineup. He has done capable work during his El Capitan career and would provide stability following last week’s difficult finish. If Montijo starts again, the Vaqueros now know the sophomore can move the offense and protect the football.

Either quarterback will benefit from the rapid emergence of Santiago Benitez.

El Capitan lost starting running back Michael Castillo to an injury on the opening play of its victory over Chula Vista. Benitez immediately stepped forward, rushing for 93 yards and two touchdowns in that game before carrying 23 times for 124 yards against Ramona.

The backup’s immediate production also reflects favorably upon an El Capitan offensive line that has continued creating room regardless of which back receives the ball.

Elijah Arzu added 146 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns last week, while Michael Valencia II turned a short play-action completion into a 55-yard score. Those weapons give the Vaqueros more offensive potential than their 18.7-point average suggests.

The most obvious evidence favoring El Capitan comes from common opponents.

Bonita Vista lost 20-10 to West Hills and 28-14 to Grossmont, the two Grossmont Conference programs closest to El Capitan’s competitive level over much of the past decade. Grossmont generated 470 yards against the Barons last week and controlled the game after taking a 22-7 halftime lead.

Bonita Vista did show improvement behind Ta’Vyon Moore, who rushed 23 times for 177 yards against the Foothillers. Quarterback Anthony Lorenz completed 14 of 21 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, while Cole Margetts caught seven passes for 63 yards.

Moore gives El Capitan’s defense a clear first priority. The Vaqueros held Ramona to only 66 rushing yards, with Colton Kidd, Ryder Powers, Robinson Silva, Shayne Whitmore and Ethan Soule producing solid work around the line of scrimmage. A similar performance would force the Barons to win through a passing attack averaging fewer than 105 yards.

El Capitan has been competitive throughout its 1-2 start. The Vaqueros lost 28-21 during a difficult trip to Hawaii, defeated Chula Vista 14-9 and carried a fourth-quarter lead against a more experienced Ramona team.

Now comes a game they are supposed to win.

Bonita Vista’s home field and Moore’s running should keep the margin uncomfortable, particularly if El Capitan continues leaving points behind. But the Vaqueros possess the stronger offensive line, the more productive running game and either an experienced quarterback returning or a promising sophomore receiving his second opportunity.

El Capitan may make it closer than necessary again. It should not let this one escape.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: EL CAPITAN 21, BONITA VISTA 14

MONARCHS FACE IDENTITY TEST AFTER MORSE ROUT

MONTE VISTA (2-1) at RANCHO BUENA VISTA (1-2), 7 p.m.

VISTA — Monte Vista entered last week looking like one of East County’s most encouraging early-season teams. By halftime against Morse, the Monarchs barely resembled the group that had opened with two victories.

Sophomore quarterback Hunter Griffin passed for 391 yards and six touchdowns, and receiver Deandre Eleby accumulated 235 yards and five scores as Morse overwhelmed Monte Vista 47-0.

The Tigers led 14-0 after one quarter and 40-0 at halftime. Monte Vista never established its option offense, never forced Morse away from its passing-game comfort zone and spent most of the night chasing Eleby toward the end zone.

The result was particularly surprising because the Monarchs had looked sharp during victories over Crawford and Montgomery, while Morse had opened 0-2. Santana had already defeated the defending Division V champion Tigers, avenging its loss from the previous postseason. Monte Vista then suffered an even more decisive defeat than the 50-12 semifinal loss that ended its own title defense last year.

There may be a little more context now. Griffin and Eleby appear to have provided experienced coach Tracy McNair with the explosive combination needed to replace graduated star Superior Garror. Morse may not be a championship program in collapse as much as a rebuilding team that required two games to discover its next identity.

That helps explain the opponent’s sudden improvement. It does not excuse how little resistance Monte Vista provided.

Friday’s trip to Rancho Buena Vista becomes an immediate character test for the Monarchs. They must restore their option attack, recover their physical personality and demonstrate that the Morse performance was one disastrous night rather than the beginning of a reversal.

And we’ve seen them win bigger games on the North County road in recent seasons.

Monte Vista defeated Crawford 31-23 and Montgomery 29-14, two established programs within its competitive class. The Monarchs should not abandon everything they demonstrated during those victories because of one terrible result. They do, however, need an early productive drive to rebuild confidence and avoid carrying last week’s frustration onto the road.

Alek Carrera directs the offense, while Edwin Smith supplied one of Monte Vista’s few notable gains against Morse with a 21-yard reception. The Monarchs need much more from their running game, which normally controls possession and prevents opposing offenses from establishing rhythm.

Rancho Buena Vista has undergone steady improvement under third-year head coach Terrence McKinney, although the Longhorns also enter after a convincing defeat. San Pasqual beat RBV 31-21 while recording 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

The Longhorns began with a 23-14 loss to Otay Ranch before winning at Sweetwater. They average approximately 317 yards per game, including 178 rushing, with Ian Perfect producing 91.7 yards per contest on the ground.

Perfect gives RBV the dependable rushing threat that Morse never needed. If Monte Vista remains disorganized defensively, the Longhorns can control the ball and steadily wear down a team that spent much of last Friday attempting to recover from explosive pass plays.

The matchup is considerably more appropriate for both teams than their Week 3 assignments. Rancho Buena Vista will not present Morse’s sudden aerial explosion, while Monte Vista should provide more resistance than the Longhorns encountered during portions of their loss to San Pasqual.

A Monte Vista victory would not be surprising. Its first two performances were strong enough to make the Monarchs competitive, and RBV’s difficulty protecting against San Pasqual provides an opening for the defense to create negative plays.

Still, last week’s complete breakdown cannot be ignored. The Longhorns are at home, possess the more dependable individual running threat and should enter with fewer questions about their identity.

Monte Vista will respond better than it did against Morse. Rancho Buena Vista should nevertheless make the Monarchs prove they have fully recovered.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: RANCHO BUENA VISTA 24, MONTE VISTA 14

REDHAWKS SEEK TO REVERSE ONE-SIDED HISTORY WITH COLTS

CRAWFORD (1-2) at MOUNTAIN EMPIRE (2-1), 7 p.m.

PINE VALLEY — Mountain Empire has never defeated Crawford. The RedHawks may never have possessed a better opportunity than Friday night.

The Colts have won all four meetings between the programs, outscoring Mountain Empire 92-6. Crawford prevailed 35-6 in 2023, returned to Pine Valley for a 35-0 victory in 2024 and also recorded shutouts of 14-0 and 8-0 during meetings earlier in the decade.

Those results established Crawford as the clearly superior program within this matchup. The current RedHawks appear capable of making that history far less relevant.

Mountain Empire has gone 11-4 over its past 15 games under coach Cameron Keller, transforming from an opponent Crawford routinely controlled into one of the section’s most productive small-school programs.

The RedHawks have scored 106 points in two home games this season, defeating Hamilton 56-0 and O’Farrell Charter 50-16. Their only loss came during an ambitious trip to Linfield Christian, where Mountain Empire remained competitive before falling 41-26.

That journey represented the type of nonleague challenge the program had rarely attempted during the previous decade. Bringing Crawford to Pine Valley provides another opportunity for Mountain Empire to demonstrate how far it has progressed—but this time on its own field.

Junior running back Elisha Robinson gives the RedHawks a weapon they did not possess during the previous meetings.

Robinson rushed for a career-high 300 yards and four touchdowns against O’Farrell, pushing his season totals to 539 yards and seven scores. He also surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards and now has 2,085 yards and 24 touchdowns during three varsity seasons.

Mountain Empire is averaging nearly 237 rushing yards and 374 total yards per game, compared with Crawford’s listed averages of approximately 68 rushing yards and 201 total yards.

The RedHawks are not limited to Robinson’s running.

Quarterback Chance Ross has thrown five touchdown passes without an interception and added a rushing score last week. Amar Mahasin has caught 12 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns, averaging nearly 26 yards per reception.

The return of Nic Santos provides another receiving option after he caught three passes for 30 yards against O’Farrell. His presence makes it more difficult for Crawford to devote all its attention to Robinson and Mahasin.

Defensively, Spencer Alvarez recorded a sack and three tackles for loss last week, while Angel Avila has led a unit that will encounter a much more capable offense than either Hamilton or O’Farrell presented.

Crawford’s 1-2 record also requires context.

The Colts opened with a competitive 31-23 loss to Monte Vista, suffered a 49-0 defeat against red-hot Santana and then responded with a 36-0 victory over San Ysidro. Coach Matt Marquez has traditionally developed teams that improve during the season, and last week may have represented the beginning of that process.

Quarterback Gio Garcia completed 17 of 22 passes for 146 yards and four touchdowns against San Ysidro. Damian Monroy caught nine passes for 105 yards and two scores, establishing the connection Mountain Empire must contain.

The Colts also intercepted four passes. Zydan Idris collected two, while Shamar Warren and Amare Patterson added one apiece.

That performance revealed why Crawford remains a slight favorite. The Colts possess enough defensive speed to complicate Mountain Empire’s passing game, and their previous success against the RedHawks provides confidence that cannot be measured statistically.

The current ratings, however, show how dramatically the matchup has narrowed. Crawford stands only six positions ahead of Mountain Empire in the available San Diego Section rankings, No. 57 to No. 63. Mountain Empire also enters ranked third in Division 5-AA.

This should not resemble Crawford’s previous visits to Pine Valley.

Robinson’s running and Mountain Empire’s home-field confidence should keep the RedHawks within one possession. Ross and Mahasin also give them the ability to respond if Garcia and Monroy produce early scores.

The difference may come from Crawford’s defense. After being embarrassed by Santana, the Colts responded with their first shutout and four interceptions. If they can prevent Robinson from controlling the entire game and force Mountain Empire into obvious passing situations, their secondary could create the one turnover that decides it.

Mountain Empire is capable of ending Crawford’s series dominance, and a RedHawks victory would not qualify as a significant upset. Until they prove they can beat the Colts, however, Crawford deserves the narrowest benefit of the doubt.

For the first time in the series, the final minutes should matter.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: CRAWFORD 28, MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 24

KNIGHTS’ RAPID RISE FACES ROAD TEST IN ANZA

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN (1-2) at HAMILTON (2-1), 7 p.m.

ANZA — Foothills Christian opened the season looking like a team headed toward another long rebuilding year. Two games later, the Knights suddenly appear capable of making Friday’s trip to Hamilton one of the weekend’s more competitive small-school matchups.

The transformation began during a three-point loss to Calipatria and accelerated with last week’s 41-7 victory at Orange Glen.

Senior running back David Stewart rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns as Foothills Christian earned its first victory of the season. Junior quarterback Hayden Oleson accounted for three additional scores, throwing two touchdown passes and breaking a 40-yard read-option run.

The Knights led 21-0 at halftime, scored during every quarter and accumulated 338 yards. Orange Glen did not reach the end zone until the final minute.

It was a complete performance regardless of the opponent’s level.

Foothills Christian had been shut out 48-0 by Escondido Charter in its opener. Since then, the Knights have scored 63 points while discovering an offensive identity that had been missing during last year’s one-win season.

Stewart has driven the turnaround.

He rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns against Calipatria, then followed with his 185-yard, three-score performance against Orange Glen. Over those two games, Stewart has produced 406 yards and five touchdowns on 35 carries, averaging 11.6 yards per attempt.

Stewart entered the season after gaining only 311 yards during all of 2025. He has already surpassed that total and developed into one of the section’s most productive backs.

The improvement extends beyond one player.

Oleson completed 7 of 13 passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns without an interception last week. Sophomore Isaac Maisonet caught five passes for 65 yards and a score, while Jonah Nottoli added a touchdown reception.

That passing production prevents defenses from devoting every available defender to Stewart. Oleson’s ability to keep the ball on the read-option creates another complication near the line of scrimmage.

The Knights also forced three turnovers against Orange Glen. Drew Mikulsky recorded 11 tackles and an interception, Jax Vizkeleti made 10 stops, and Duke Houston contributed eight tackles, five tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries. Maisonet intercepted another pass, while Jace Hilemon recovered a fumble.

Now Foothills Christian must prove that its dramatic improvement can hold against a stronger opponent.

Hamilton also has rebounded impressively from an opening loss. The Bobcats were blanked 39-0 by Mountain Empire in Pine Valley but returned home to defeat Victory Christian Academy 41-0 and Tri-City Christian 28-20.

The schedule has once again brought Hamilton into frequent contact with San Diego County programs, giving the Knights several useful comparisons.

Victory Christian sits near the bottom of the county ratings, considerably below Foothills Christian. Hamilton handled that assignment exactly as a stronger team should.

Its victory over Tri-City Christian carries greater weight. The Eagles received 210 passing yards, 82 rushing yards and three total touchdowns from Donovan Cronkhite, but Hamilton still secured an eight-point victory.

The Bobcats average approximately 187 rushing yards and 305 total yards per game. Quarterback Jesaiah Daniels provides the passing component, while Jerimi Brown, Kaleb Lafourche and Antonio Acuna give Hamilton multiple offensive options.

Foothills Christian’s best source of encouragement comes from Mountain Empire.

The RedHawks held Hamilton to 157 total yards, forced three turnovers and limited the Bobcats to 54 rushing yards. Mountain Empire later scored 50 points against O’Farrell, showing that its opening shutout of Hamilton came against a legitimate team rather than an overmatched opponent.

That result also supplies a warning. Hamilton is not likely to overpower Foothills Christian, but it has won twice since that opening setback and should be much more comfortable at home.

Foothills Christian began the season near the bottom of the county ratings. Its competitive performance against Calipatria and decisive victory over Orange Glen have already lifted the Knights several positions, placing them immediately ahead of Calipatria, San Ysidro, Sweetwater and several other struggling programs.

Friday provides a chance to climb again.

A victory would give Foothills Christian consecutive wins for the first time since 2023 and supply much stronger confirmation that the turnaround is sustainable. Hamilton is precisely the type of opponent the improved Knights should expect to challenge—but not yet one they should automatically be expected to defeat.

Stewart should keep Foothills Christian competitive throughout the evening. If Oleson protects the football and the young defense creates another takeaway or two, the Knights could leave Anza with their most meaningful victory in several seasons.

Hamilton, however, has already defeated a more established Tri-City Christian team, possesses multiple offensive options and is 2-0 at home. The long trip and the Bobcats’ greater experience in close games provide the narrow separation.

Foothills Christian has advanced from merely searching for improvement to carrying legitimate expectations. The Knights should demonstrate that progress again, even if Hamilton remains one step ahead.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: HAMILTON 28, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 24

BRAVES HAVE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR VICTORY

ORANGE GLEN (0-3) at EL CAJON VALLEY (0-3), 7 p.m.

EL CAJON — El Cajon Valley’s first three games have exposed the Braves’ lack of depth. Friday night should finally provide an opportunity for their best players to determine the outcome.

Orange Glen arrives at Priest Field in the same position as El Cajon Valley—winless, rebuilding and searching for evidence that better football lies ahead.

The teams occupy adjacent positions near the bottom of the current San Diego Section ratings. El Cajon Valley is listed No. 85, one position ahead of Orange Glen at No. 86.

That numerical separation may be minimal. The matchup itself should favor the Braves considerably more.

El Cajon Valley opened with two difficult South Bay road assignments before returning home to encounter a rapidly improving Canyon Hills team. The Braves have been outscored 120-12, but that margin does not completely represent the individual ability they have displayed in portions of those games.

Quarterback TJ Ibrahimi and receiver Amir Miller supplied the clearest example during last week’s 38-6 loss to Canyon Hills.

Ibrahimi challenged double coverage with a deep throw down the left sideline. Miller tracked the ball over his shoulder and completed an impressive touchdown reception between two defenders.

The play demonstrated what the Braves have been unable to show consistently against deeper opponents. Ibrahimi can push the ball downfield, and Miller possesses the athleticism to produce even when the coverage is properly positioned.

El Cajon Valley’s reported passing production averages nearly 170 yards per game, with Miller accounting for approximately 118 receiving yards. Ibrahimi averages 142 yards of total offense, giving the Braves a clear statistical advantage over an Orange Glen offense that has reported very little production.

Rashaunn Barr offers another option for a team that must establish enough of a running game to prevent the Patriots from concentrating entirely on Miller. Defensively, Janvier Kashindi has been among the Braves’ leading tacklers, while Miller has also contributed as a pass rusher.

Those players have produced moments against teams with greater numbers and more established line play. This is the matchup in which those moments must become complete drives, defensive stops and points.

Canyon Hills accumulated 314 yards last week behind quarterback Liam White and running back Ma’Kahi Fields-Cook. White threw four touchdown passes, while Fields-Cook rushed for 156 yards.

El Cajon Valley will not encounter that type of offensive combination Friday.

Orange Glen has been outscored 154-7 through three games. The Patriots’ only touchdown came during the final minute of last week’s 41-7 loss to Foothills Christian, after the Knights had constructed a 41-0 advantage.

Foothills Christian entered that contest with one victory over its previous 12 games. The Knights nevertheless rushed for 245 yards, forced three turnovers and scored during every quarter.

Senior David Stewart rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns against Orange Glen. Quarterback Hayden Oleson threw two scoring passes and added a 40-yard touchdown run.

The comparison should encourage El Cajon Valley. Foothills Christian was also considered one of the county’s lowest-rated teams before its recent improvement, yet the Knights controlled Orange Glen in every phase.

The Patriots’ primary reported rushing threat is Jesiah Surely, while Axel Aguilar leads the defense and Antonio Solis has provided pressure along the line. Orange Glen will attempt to shorten the game, force turnovers and make the Braves confront the pressure that accompanies being favored for the first time this season.

That pressure is real.

This may be El Cajon Valley’s best opportunity to earn a victory anywhere on its schedule. The Braves cannot assume another comparable chance will arrive later, particularly once Grossmont Valley League play begins.

That should create urgency without requiring any manufactured motivation.

El Cajon Valley must avoid the penalties, turnovers and defensive breakdowns that stronger opponents have repeatedly converted into points. The Braves also need to play from ahead. An early Ibrahimi-to-Miller connection would allow them to settle into the game instead of immediately confronting another deficit.

The records and ratings suggest an even matchup between two struggling teams. The eye test suggests El Cajon Valley has faced the stronger schedule, possesses the game’s most dangerous passing combination and is better than its scoring margin indicates.

Orange Glen should find more offensive room than it has during the opening three weeks, but the Braves have enough individual talent to create separation.

Anything short of a victory would qualify as a major missed opportunity. El Cajon Valley should do more than merely escape with one.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: EL CAJON VALLEY 28, ORANGE GLEN 18

GARDINI, PATRIOTS FACE IMPROVING MUSTANGS

OTAY RANCH (2-1) at No. 22 PATRICK HENRY (3-0), 7 p.m.

SAN DIEGO — Patrick Henry’s explosive offense encounters a more difficult defensive test Friday when the unbeaten Patriots host Otay Ranch.

Senior quarterback Madin Gardini has powered Henry’s perfect start, averaging 341.7 yards of total offense per game. He accounted for 329 yards and all five Patriots touchdowns in last week’s 35-28 victory at Chula Vista, passing for 205 yards and four scores while rushing for 124 yards and another touchdown.

Sophomore Cyrus Drury caught two touchdown passes against the Spartans, while JP Laydon and Max Dean added one apiece. Patrick Henry has scored 111 points through three games, averaging 37 per contest.

Otay Ranch counters with a defense coming off a 16-0 shutout of Hilltop. Jeremiah Jordan averages 9.3 tackles, and the Mustangs have recorded 2.7 sacks per game.

Quarterback Caleb Delaughter gives Otay Ranch a capable passing attack, averaging 202 yards through the air. He completed 15 of 22 passes for 172 yards last week, including a touchdown to Devin Hope, while Jaidon Castillo added a 12-yard scoring run.

The Mustangs should apply more pressure and offer greater defensive resistance than Chula Vista did, but containing Gardini requires defending every portion of the field. Patrick Henry averages 376.3 yards, holds the stronger collection of playmakers and returns home after three convincing offensive performances.

Otay Ranch can keep this competitive into the second half. Gardini’s ability to escape pressure and create explosive plays should eventually produce separation.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: PATRICK HENRY 35, OTAY RANCH 20

RATTLERS CARRY BREAKOUT OFFENSE INTO MIRA MESA

CANYON HILLS (1-2) at MIRA MESA (2-1), 7 p.m.

SAN DIEGO — Canyon Hills’ early record trails Mira Mesa’s, but the Rattlers enter Friday night carrying considerably more offensive momentum.

Quarterback Liam White threw for 158 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 38-6 victory over El Cajon Valley, while running back Ma’Kahi Fields-Cook rushed for 156 yards and a score. Senior receiver Taylon Sheriff added five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Mira Mesa returns home after West Hills exposed some important concerns during a 17-9 loss. The Marauders were held to 174 total yards and only 36 rushing yards. Their lone touchdown followed a blocked punt that created possession near the goal line.

Running back Marques “Juju” Salmond remains the player Canyon Hills must contain. He averages 118 rushing yards despite being limited to 36 by West Hills. Quarterback Nico Giusti averages 204.7 passing yards, with Isaac Mendiola providing the leading receiving threat.

The season totals and computer rankings favor Mira Mesa, but the most recent performances point in the opposite direction. White and Fields-Cook give Canyon Hills the balance to attack a Marauders defense that spent too much of last week on the field.

Mira Mesa’s home field should keep this close, but the Rattlers’ emerging playmakers can produce the road upset.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: CANYON HILLS 24, MIRA MESA 17

BULLDOGS TRY TO BUILD ON TROPHY-GAME BREAKTHROUGH

SAN DIEGO (0-2) at No. 29 RAMONA (1-2), 7 p.m.

RAMONA — After losing its first two games by a combined three points, Ramona finally converted a close finish into a victory by rallying past El Capitan 27-21 to reclaim the Wildcat Canyon Trophy.

Quarterback Ryan Shaw completed 17 of 22 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, then scored the tying touchdown on a 1-yard sneak. Keegan McElwee supplied the winning score, while Noah Bedia and Jordan Howard caught touchdown passes.

San Diego remains winless under new coach Stephen Cooper, but the Cavers have been competitive. They have scored 30 points and allowed only 40 through two games, including a 33-27 loss to Madison.

Quarterback Jayden Harris leads a balanced Cavers offense that averages 309 yards. Harris produces 206.5 total yards per game, while Noah Jones provides the leading receiving threat and Justin Peacock anchors the defense with 11 tackles per contest.

The statistical matchup is close, but Ramona possesses greater experience at quarterback and several proven targets around Shaw. The Bulldogs also showed last week that they can survive mistakes, force a critical turnover and execute during the fourth quarter.

San Diego should make Ramona work throughout another tight game. The Bulldogs’ home field and recently earned confidence provide the narrow difference.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: RAMONA 27, SAN DIEGO 24

GRIFFIN, ELEBY AIM TO EXTEND TIGERS’ BREAKOUT

MORSE (1-2) at SOUTHWEST SAN DIEGO (1-2), 6:30 p.m.

CHULA VISTA — Morse may have discovered its new offensive identity during last week’s stunning 47-0 victory over previously unbeaten Monte Vista.

Sophomore quarterback Hunter Griffin completed 20 of 28 passes for 391 yards and six touchdowns, while junior Deandre Eleby caught seven passes for 235 yards and five scores. The Tigers led 40-0 at halftime and produced 404 yards despite gaining only 13 on the ground.

The performance suggested Morse’s 0-2 opening was part of a rebuilding process rather than evidence that the defending Division V champions had fallen apart. Griffin and Eleby have given coach Tracy McNair another explosive combination around which to construct the offense.

Southwest also earned its first victory last week, defeating Clairemont 33-19. Quarterback Isaac Muñoz accounted for three touchdowns, Samuel Gonzales rushed for 116 yards and forced a fumble, and Yves Tido recorded 17 tackles.

The Raiders average 354 yards and possess enough offense to keep this competitive at Otay Ranch High. Their larger problem is containing a Morse passing attack that suddenly looks capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.

Southwest should move the ball, but Griffin and Eleby provide the game’s decisive advantage as the Tigers continue their rapid recovery.

FEARLESS FORECASTER PREDICTION: MORSE 35, SOUTHWEST SAN DIEGO 20

OTHER PREDICTIONS

No. 21 UNIVERSITY CITY 31, at MISSION BAY 27

No. 24 MADISON 35, at SWEETWATER 14

at MISSION VIEJO 42, No. 11 LINCOLN 14

EASTLAKE 35, at SCRIPPS RANCH 10

MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 35, at KEARNY 14

at HOOVER 27, SAN YSIDRO 14

VINCENT MEMORIAL 28, at CLAIREMONT 20

at No. 1 CARLSBAD 35, No. 13 POWAY 14

No. 3 CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 31, at MATER DEI CATHOLIC 14

SAN CLEMENTE 28, at No. 4 LA COSTA CANYON 24

at No. 9 RANCHO BERNARDO 28, WESTLAKE (Utah) 24

No. 10 SANTA FE CHRISTIAN 35, at NEWMAN (La.) 28

No. 14 DEL NORTE 35, at MT. CARMEL 7

No. 31 LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY 28, at LA JOLLA 21

No. 32 IMPERIAL 35, at BRAWLEY 7

VALLEY CENTER 28, at WESTVIEW 17

at FALLBROOK 28, COASTAL ACADEMY 14

at HOLTVILLE 35, SLAM ACADEMY (Nev.) 14

MONTGOMERY 28, at CASTLE PARK 14

FRANCIS PARKER 42, at JULIAN 14

at ARMY-NAVY 35, VISTA 7

at CALIPATRIA 34, O’FARRELL CHARTER 14

at TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 35, NUEVIEW BRIDGE 20

ESCONDIDO CHARTER 35, at CLASSICAL ACADEMY 20

DON LUGO 24, at BISHOP’S 14

PALO VERDE VALLEY 35, at COACHELLA VALLEY 14

at CIBOLA (Ariz.) 28, CALEXICO 20

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