Vaqueros claim Valley title share

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

Vaqueros can win Grossmont Valley outright with win over Valhalla

No. 33 EL CAPITAN 41, EL CAJON VALLEY 0

EastCountySports.com staff report

LAKESIDE — Before El Capitan could turn its attention to a championship showdown with Valhalla, the Vaqueros made certain they would have a piece of the banner.

Their defense made sure El Cajon Valley had almost nowhere to go.

El Capitan held the Braves to minus-44 yards on 36 offensive plays, according to assistant head coach Shaun McDade, and secured at least a share of the Grossmont Valley League championship with a 41-0 victory Friday night.

The Vaqueros (5-4, 4-0 league) will play for the outright title when they visit Valhalla in the regular-season finale. The Norsemen (6-3, 3-1) preserved their opportunity to share the championship by defeating West Hills, 38-24.

Junior Michael Castillo rushed for two touchdowns, including a 60-yard third-quarter breakaway, and junior quarterback Hayden Passanisi threw two touchdown passes to junior Cota LaChappa. Seniors Elijah Arzu and Daunte Painter added rushing touchdowns.

The defense supplied an equally decisive performance, recording 15 tackles for loss. Senior Ethan Soule and sophomore Robinson Silva each finished with 11 tackles as El Capitan won its fourth consecutive game following a 1-4 start.

The Vaqueros scored twice in each of the opening two quarters to build a 28-0 halftime lead, then added a touchdown in each remaining period.

Short fields turn into early scores

El Cajon Valley received the opening kickoff but eventually used a fourth-down quick kick, giving El Capitan possession at the Braves’ 36-yard line.

Passanisi finished the ensuing possession with a 3-yard touchdown pass to LaChappa, who found room on the left side of the end zone with 8:01 remaining in the first quarter.

The Braves produced a defensive stop on a later possession when Maddox Virgen broke up a fourth-down pass. But El Cajon Valley’s offense again had to turn to a quick kick, and the Vaqueros took over at the Braves’ 20.

Arzu converted that opportunity into a 10-yard touchdown run. Lined up outside before going in motion, he took a handoff on a sweep to the right and reached the corner of the end zone for a 14-0 advantage.

Castillo added a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, pushing the margin to 21-0.

Passanisi and LaChappa then connected again. LaChappa caught the ball around the 17-yard line, broke tackles and cut toward the left side before reaching the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown with 5:34 left in the half.

Castillo supplied the third-quarter highlight, bouncing outside to the left and following a downfield block on his 60-yard touchdown run. The score came with 6:32 remaining in the period, extending the lead to 35-0.

Painter scored El Capitan’s final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Ryder Powers finished with five successful extra points in six attempts.

Defense leaves Braves behind the line

El Capitan’s shutout was backed by repeated penetration.

Soule finished with four tackles for loss, including a 10-yard sack, among his 11 tackles. Silva recorded six solo tackles and five assists, with two tackles for loss.

Powers contributed six tackles, and junior Daniel Alduenda added five, including one behind the line.

Juniors Colton Kidd and Brody Vermilya each had four tackles. Vermilya and junior Frankie Seymour each recorded two tackles for loss, while Kidd added one.

The sustained pressure prevented El Cajon Valley from finding an offensive foothold and repeatedly gave the Vaqueros favorable field position.

Six touchdowns, 315 yards

El Capitan finished with 315 total yards, combining 213 rushing yards on 13 carries with 102 passing yards.

Castillo gained 72 yards on three carries, scoring twice. Painter rushed twice for 54 yards and a touchdown, while Arzu scored on his lone carry, a 10-yard run.

Senior Michael Valencia II added a 20-yard carry, and Passanisi gained 18 yards on his only rushing attempt.

Passanisi completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Sophomore Daniel Montijo completed 2 of 3 passes for 49 yards, also without an interception.

Arzu led the receivers with 50 yards on two catches. LaChappa caught three passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns, while Painter added a 5-yard reception.

Score by quarters

El Cajon Valley —  0  0 0 0 — 0
El Capitan      — 14 14 7 6 — 41

Scoring summary

First quarter
EC — Cota LaChappa, 3-yard pass from Hayden Passanisi, 8:01.
EC — Elijah Arzu, 10-yard run.

Second quarter
EC — Michael Castillo, 2-yard run.
EC — Cota LaChappa, 28-yard pass from Hayden Passanisi, 5:34.

Third quarter
EC — Michael Castillo, 60-yard run, 6:32.

Fourth quarter
EC — Daunte Painter, touchdown run.

Extra points: Ryder Powers, 5 of 6.

Title share secured, outright championship awaits

EL CAPITAN (5-4, 4-0) at VALHALLA (6-3, 3-1)
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. — Valhalla High School
Grossmont Valley League

El Capitan’s turnaround has carried the Vaqueros from a 1-4 start to a guaranteed share of the league championship.

One more victory would give them the title outright.

The Vaqueros visit Valhalla with an opportunity to finish 5-0 in league play and enter the postseason on a five-game winning streak. The Norsemen can finish alongside El Capitan at 4-1 by winning the finale.

For Valhalla, the opportunity carries historical significance: the Norsemen are pursuing the second league championship in program history and their first since 2009.

Valhalla kept that possibility alive with its 38-24 victory at West Hills. Quarterback Adrian Wilson and playmaker Jayden Hunter helped lead an offense that will present a different challenge for El Capitan’s defense.

The Vaqueros counter with a balanced collection of scoring threats. Castillo’s two-touchdown performance, Arzu’s work as both a runner and receiver, and the Passanisi-to-LaChappa connection all contributed against El Cajon Valley.

El Capitan has already ensured its season will include a championship. Friday determines whether it will have company.

Braves close at Santana

EL CAJON VALLEY (2-7, 0-4) at SANTANA (6-3, 2-2)
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. — Santana High School
Grossmont Valley League

El Cajon Valley gets one remaining opportunity to earn a league victory when it visits Santana in the regular-season finale.

The Braves will try to recover offensively after El Capitan repeatedly pushed them behind the line of scrimmage. Staying out of long-yardage situations and sustaining possessions will be central to their effort against the Sultans.

Santana enters following a 35-18 victory at Monte Vista, improving to 6-3 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Quarterback Ethan Miller threw for 160 yards and two touchdowns in that victory. Ethan Smith caught a touchdown pass and completed his lone pass attempt for another score, giving the Sultans production from more than one passer.

Julian Mayers contributed 69 rushing yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Dillon Timanus recorded 14 tackles, while Tatum Morehouse and Cameron Cipro each added 12.

For El Cajon Valley, an upset would provide a strong finish after four league defeats. Santana will be looking to reach seven victories and complete its league schedule at .500.