Streaking Scotties sweep Saturday foes

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: September 29, 2026

Helix two-way standout Kaiya Merlo (7) / Vic Morano

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FLAG FOOTBALL

Scotties sweep tournament twinbill, improve to 10-1

EastCountySports.com

LA MESA — The Helix Highlanders completed their biggest week of the season with a four-game sweep, including a tournament doubleheader Saturday (Sept. 26).

The results could move the ballclub near the top of the CIF San Diego Section rankings.

Following a pair of league-opening victories over Grossmont and Granite Hills to grab the top spot in the Grossmont Hills League, the Scotties showed no signs of a letdown by sweeping past Brawley and Imperial.

Helix outlasted the Brawley Wildcats, 41-34, in an early-morning affair. Then, during the noon hour, Helix moved to 10-1 overall by coasting past the Imperial Tigers, 39-0.

Quarterback Vida Sanchez accounted for six touchdowns against Brawley, including three on the ground. Her rushing performance was highlighted by a 34-yard touchdown, as she finished with 111 yards on 13 carries.

Through the air, Sanchez added three more scores, completing 14 of 19 passes for 327 yards—the second-highest passing total of her career.

Among the touchdown receptions, the biggest highlight was registered by Devin Gideon, who went 66 yards for a coast-to-coast score.

The other touchdown passes went to Kaiya Merlo, who collected eight receptions for 176 yards, and Myliya Johnson.

Brawley, however, remained close thanks to four touchdown passes by Wildcats quarterback Tasia Mejia, who completed 33 of 45 attempts for 317 yards.

In Game 2 against Imperial, Sanchez fired three additional touchdown passes before the Helix reserves took over during the second half.

Merlo caught three more touchdowns, including two from Sanchez, while finishing with six receptions for 118 yards.

In posting the shutout, Mary Bailey and Gideon led the Scotties with six flag pulls apiece.

Merlo, a senior, also recorded two of Helix’s three interceptions. The other was registered by Emani Maclin, another senior, who returned the ball 23 yards to set up a score.

Since falling to top-rated Bonita Vista, Helix has won five consecutive contests.

— Nick Pellegrino