Johnson help Helix reclaim Claymore

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 5, 2026

J.J. Andrew-Johnson scores for Helix against Mount Miguel on Friday.

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

No. 12 HELIX 42, MOUNT MIGUEL 8

East County Sports Staff Report

LA MESA — Helix reclaimed The Claymore Sword on Friday night behind Jacob “J.J.” Andrew-Johnson’s three touchdowns, an efficient passing performance by Caden Thompson and a defense that kept Mount Miguel scoreless until the third quarter.

The 42-8 victory at Hart Stadium gave the No. 12 Highlanders (5-2 overall, 1-0 Grossmont Hills League) their second consecutive win and ended Mount Miguel’s two-game winning streak in the rivalry. The Matadors slipped to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in league.

Thompson completed 7 of 9 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns, with two scoring throws to Andrew-Johnson and another to Jeremy Robinson. Andrew-Johnson also returned a punt for a touchdown, accounting for three of Helix’s four first-half scores.

Stephon Fuentes added two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter, finishing with 59 yards on six carries and a 20-yard reception.

Mount Miguel held the Highlanders to one touchdown in the opening quarter. Both teams turned the ball over on downs before Andrew-Johnson’s punt return broke the scoreless tie, putting Helix ahead 7-0 after the extra point.

The Highlanders gained separation with 21 points in the second quarter.

A sack and a stop on downs preceded Thompson’s touchdown pass to Robinson, whose lone reception covered 42 yards.

Jacob Smith intercepted a Mount Miguel pass, and Thompson subsequently found Andrew-Johnson for a touchdown to extend the margin to 21-0. Another Matadors possession ended on downs before Thompson and Andrew-Johnson connected again, sending Helix into halftime ahead 28-0.

Andrew-Johnson finished with two catches for 55 yards, both for touchdowns.

Fuentes kept the Highlanders moving after intermission. He made a pair of cutbacks through the middle on a 15-yard touchdown run with 7:45 remaining in the third quarter.

After Helix stopped Mount Miguel on downs at the Matadors’ 30-yard line, Fuentes scored again. Taking a handoff to the right, he raced outside and cut up a seam to reach the end zone with 6:11 left in the quarter. The successful kick made it 42-0.

Mount Miguel answered later in the period when Cayden “Prince” Mobley delivered a 28-yard touchdown pass to DK Smith. Working from a three-receiver formation to the left, Mobley placed the fade behind the defense for Smith.

Mobley then passed to Dominic Lopez for the two-point conversion. Lopez pulled down the ball with one hand and held on through a defender’s attempt to knock it away.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

Mobley led Mount Miguel’s rushing attack with 50 yards on six carries and completed 2 of 3 passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Enrique Gonzalez completed 7 of 12 throws for 70 yards with one interception.

Lopez contributed 30 rushing yards, two receptions for 35 yards and nine tackles, including one for a loss. Smith recorded five tackles, including one for a loss, in addition to his touchdown catch.

The Matadors finished with 185 offensive yards, including 105 passing. Helix recorded four stops on downs, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Kingston James added 15 passing yards for the Highlanders, who completed 9 of 13 throws for 185 yards without an interception.

The victory was Helix’s first over Mount Miguel since 2015. The Matadors had won 48-35 in 2024 and 42-14 last season.

JJ delivers three ways to six

Jacob “JJ” Andrew-Johnson needed only two receptions to score twice Friday night. His other touchdown came before Helix’s passing game had produced a point.

The junior’s punt-return touchdown and two scoring catches helped the No. 12 Highlanders (5-2 overall, 1-0 Grossmont Hills League) reclaim the Claymore with a 42-8 victory over Mount Miguel (1-4, 0-1) at Hart Stadium.

His return supplied all of Helix’s first-quarter scoring. With both teams having already turned the ball over on downs, Andrew-Johnson gave the Highlanders a 7-0 advantage and an early contribution from special teams.

Then he became a finishing option for Caden Thompson.

Andrew-Johnson caught two second-quarter touchdown passes, helping Helix stretch a 14-0 lead into a 28-0 halftime margin. He finished with two receptions for 55 yards, with a longest catch of 28 yards.

Every reception ended in the end zone.

His production complemented Jeremy Robinson’s 42-yard touchdown reception, giving Thompson three scoring throws before intermission.

For Helix, Andrew-Johnson’s night illustrated the value of having a player who can change the score without requiring a steady stream of offensive touches. He supplied the opening breakthrough on a return, then converted both of his catches into touchdowns.

Helix with the Claymore Sword in 2011, following a 49-0 victory.

Next: Battle for the Musket

Helix travels to No. 17 Grossmont on Friday, Oct. 9, bringing a 30-game series winning streak into the Battle for the Musket.

Both teams are 5-2 overall, but their league positions differ. Helix opened Hills play with a victory, while Grossmont (0-1 in league) is coming off a 44-24 loss at Granite Hills.

Grossmont last defeated Helix 28-14 in 1991. The Highlanders began their streak with a 14-11 victory in 1992 and have maintained possession of the Musket through every meeting since. The teams did not meet in 2025.

Their most recent matchup ended in a 56-26 Helix victory at Grossmont in 2024. Helix also won 57-8 in 2023 and 42-17 in 2022.

For the Highlanders, the immediate challenge is containing Tyler Holmes, whose ability to create with his arm and legs gives Grossmont a way to sustain possessions and challenge the defense.

Helix enters with several scoring options and consecutive games of 49 and 42 points. Thompson’s accuracy, Andrew-Johnson’s receiving and return ability, Robinson’s big-play threat and Fuentes’ rushing give the Foothillers several responsibilities.

Keeping Holmes from extending drives would help Helix put those offensive options to work while pursuing a 2-0 league start.

Next: Henry visits Mount Miguel

Mount Miguel hosts Patrick Henry (6-0) on Friday, Oct. 9, in a nonleague game that offers the Matadors perhaps their best remaining opportunity to secure another victory.

That opportunity still comes against an unbeaten opponent. The Patriots defeated Morse 46-16 last Friday and should enter as clear favorites, potentially by a substantial margin.

Playing at home gives Mount Miguel a chance to establish a more competitive start after four consecutive losses. The Matadors will need to turn the flashes supplied by Mobley, Lopez and Smith into sustained possessions.

Mobley’s production as a runner and passer provides flexibility, while Lopez remains a dependable contributor on both sides of the ball. Their touchdown and conversion against Helix demonstrated what Mount Miguel can accomplish when it creates room for its playmakers.

The larger requirement is finishing drives and protecting possession. Four turnovers on downs and two giveaways against Helix repeatedly handed control back to the Highlanders.

Mount Miguel does not need to match Henry’s unbeaten record to make this a competitive home game. It does need a cleaner performance and an early foothold to give itself an upset opportunity.