Ford driving Griffs’ league title hopes

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 22, 2026

Grossmont's Ethan Ford

2026 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Grossmont hosts San Bernardino Valley on Sophomore Night in showdown between American Pacific League’s remaining unbeaten teams

By RAMON SCOTT
EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON — Grossmont College will have classic cars on display Saturday, but the Ford the Griffins need moving is in their backfield.

Ethan Ford, coming off a 140-yard rushing performance, leads Grossmont into a showdown with San Bernardino Valley between the American Pacific League’s two remaining unbeaten teams in conference play.

Kickoff is 2 p.m. Saturday at Griffins Stadium, following an Old School Car Show at noon. Admission is free, and the Griffins will recognize their sophomores.

Grossmont enters 6-2 overall and 3-0 in league. Valley arrives 6-1 and 2-0, bringing a defense that allows only 57 rushing yards per game—a substantial test for Ford and the Griffins’ ground game.

The occasion provides the celebration. The opponent supplies a substantial test.

San Bernardino Valley averages 474.8 yards and 53.5 points per game across its six played contests, while allowing only 57 rushing yards per game.

Grossmont’s preferred offensive approach will meet that strength directly.

The Griffins have found another productive quarterback, welcomed back their leading running back and repeatedly delivered the defensive stops needed to keep winning. Saturday brings an opportunity to turn that progress into control of the American Pacific League race.

“Having Ethan Ford back helps us,” coach Mason Mitchell said following the Griffins’ 44-13 victory at West Los Angeles on Oct. 10. “Our run game has been our offense’s bread and butter. We want to feed our RBs as much as we can.”

Grossmont followed that victory with a bye. Now the Griffins must establish their running game against a defense that has allowed opponents only 1.6 yards per carry.

FORD, KEARNS GIVE GRIFFINS OPTIONS

Ethan Ford returned from missing the Santa Monica game to rush for 140 yards on 12 carries at West L.A., helping Grossmont produce 280 rushing yards and 518 yards of total offense.

Ford enters Saturday with 426 rushing yards, averaging 6.2 per carry.

His return strengthened an offense that has also benefited from the emergence of Michael Kearns III.

Kearns completed 10 of 14 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns against West L.A., adding 51 rushing yards and another score. His touchdown passes went to Ka’tyleon “Ty” Phillips, Jaidan Brooks and Dvonta Peoples.

“Kearns played extremely well today,” Mitchell said after that victory. “We always knew he had it. It was just him waiting for the opportunity. It came last week and he followed up with doubling down on his performance today.”

Across the Santa Monica and West L.A. victories, Kearns accounted for seven touchdowns, throwing four scoring passes and rushing for three scores.

His production gives Grossmont another established option alongside Melvin Spicer IV, who has passed for 941 yards and six touchdowns this season.

The challenge Saturday extends beyond generating explosive plays. Grossmont must avoid allowing Valley’s defense to dictate possessions through turnovers.

The Wolverines have recorded nine interceptions and recovered 12 fumbles in six played games.

Linebacker Stanley Burrow has 3½ sacks and six tackles for loss, while Dylon Dunn averages 7.4 tackles per game.

Grossmont’s ball security and ability to stay out of obvious passing situations could be central to sustaining drives.

VALLEY CAN ATTACK SEVERAL WAYS

San Bernardino Valley’s offensive production comes from a broad collection of threats.

Sophomore quarterback Brodie Savage has passed for 1,321 yards and 16 touchdowns against only two interceptions.

His leading receivers include Donavon Ferguson, with 20 catches for 332 yards and four touchdowns, and Jerred Rennick, with 18 receptions for 305 yards and four scores.

Elijah Simley-Flores adds 281 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Jerbrandin Henderson has three scoring catches and averages 18.8 yards per reception.

The Wolverines also average 198.7 rushing yards per game.

Zamar Malveaux leads the team with 306 rushing yards, averaging 8.3 per carry. Damarcus Hodges has five rushing touchdowns, as does Teddy McGee.

Quarterback Kane Richardson supplies another dimension with six rushing touchdowns and two touchdown passes.

Grossmont therefore cannot concentrate entirely on Savage’s passing or one primary runner.

The Griffins faced a similar need for disciplined run defense in their last outing. West L.A. entered averaging 211 rushing yards per game; Grossmont held the Wildcats to 130.

Afterward, Mitchell described the emphasis that preceded that performance.

“We knew they would attempt to run the ball without fear and our ability to have a great gap-sound defense is what we pride ourselves in,” he said.

That discipline will be important against a Valley team averaging 6.6 yards per rushing attempt.

FINISHING DRIVES — AND ENDING THEM

Grossmont’s last victory demonstrated how defensive plays at critical moments can outweigh an opponent’s yardage.

West L.A. accumulated 410 yards but finished 0-for-3 in the red zone.

Isaac Turner intercepted two passes. Jeremiah Savaiinaea Jr. and Easton Filetti delivered fourth-down sacks, and Curtis Rogers IV forced a fumble recovered by Diego Jaimes.

Those plays prevented the Wildcats from turning extended possessions into a close game.

Grossmont will need comparable execution against Valley, whose only defeat came against National Division opponent Fullerton, 31-21, on Sept. 26.

The Wolverines followed that loss with a 55-7 victory over Glendale before receiving last week’s Pierce forfeit.

Both teams have consequently gone without a played game since Oct. 10.

Grossmont must also reduce the penalties that have complicated its recent victories. The Griffins were flagged 12 times for 106 yards at West L.A.

Against an opponent with Valley’s scoring ability, surrendering extra possessions or extending drives could be particularly costly.

MORA ADDS RANGE TO KICKING GAME

Lucas Mora’s 58-yard field goal at the end of the first half against West L.A. gave Grossmont its most striking special-teams highlight of the season.

It also demonstrated a scoring option that could matter if Saturday’s matchup becomes a contest of limited opportunities.

Mora is 4-for-7 on field goals. Philipa Trakas is 4-for-4, including the 43-yard go-ahead kick in Grossmont’s 22-21 victory over L.A. Valley, while Jasper Brandenburg is 3-for-4, with a long of 45.

“He’s got a Division 1 leg and he will get some great opportunities,” Mitchell said of Mora after the West L.A. game.

Mora’s 58-yarder is reportedly the second-longest successful field goal in San Diego County community college football history, one yard behind Tyler Ackerson’s 59-yarder for Southwestern against Imperial Valley in 1985.

Although local folklore has suggested that the former Aztecs’ kicking star may not have had a game-legal football on that now-infamous boot.

Saturday offers the entire team a significant opportunity.

A Grossmont victory would leave the Griffins as the league’s only unbeaten team in conference play and give them the head-to-head result against Valley. A Wolverines victory would move Valley ahead of Grossmont with games against West L.A. and Santa Monica remaining.

Mitchell’s assessment following the Griffins’ last outing now serves as the backdrop for their return.

“We have grown tremendously from our early part of the season,” he said, “and I’m excited to see the finished product we put together weekly.”

COMPUTER PROJECTION: San Bernardino Valley 35, Grossmont 21.

SATURDAY’S GAME: San Bernardino Valley (6-1, 2-0) at Grossmont (6-2, 3-0), 2 p.m., Griffins Stadium. Sophomore Night; admission is free.