Sanchez throws, runs Helix to 3OT win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 29, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FLAG FOOTBALL

SAN DIEGO CIF OPEN DIVISION

No. 3 HELIX 12, No. 6 MISSION HILLS 6 (3 OT)

Mai’s touchdown catch helps Helix claim first playoff win in program history

EastCountySports.com staff report

LA MESA — Vida Sanchez rolled to her right with the option to pass, spotted room near the goal line and kept the football, extending it across the plane for the winning score as Helix outlasted Mission Hills, 12-6 in triple overtime, Wednesday (Oct. 28) at Benton Hart Stadium.

A Mission Hills defender grabbed Sanchez’s flag at the goal line, but the Helix quarterback had already stretched the ball across the plane. The official immediately signaled touchdown, setting off the Scotties’ celebration.

The victory was the first postseason triumph in Helix flag football history and extended the Highlanders’ East County-record winning streak to 12 games.

Helix (17-1 overall) and Mission Hills (16-6) played through regulation without scoring, then both teams failed to reach the end zone during their first overtime possessions, which began at the 10-yard line.

The offenses finally broke through during the second overtime.

Sanchez found junior Alani Mai uncovered over the middle for a short touchdown pass, providing the first points of the defensive struggle.

Mission Hills immediately answered from the 3-yard line when sophomore quarterback Kenzie Del Gatto connected with freshman Denlia Freeman in the end zone, pulling the Grizzlies even at 6-6.

Mission Hills received the first opportunity during the third overtime. Del Gatto threw over the middle toward the back of the end zone, but the pass fell incomplete without a receiver able to reach it.

That left Sanchez with an opportunity to end the marathon.

The senior quarterback took the snap and rolled right, carrying the football in position to throw. Sanchez may have been considering the keeper all along, however, as she accelerated toward the goal line once the defense committed.

A Grizzlies defender reached Sanchez at the goal line, but the quarterback extended the football across before the flag pull could end the play.

Sanchez was selected as the Helix Player of the Game after accounting for both Scotties touchdowns—one through the air and the other on the decisive keeper.

Helix advances to Tuesday’s (Nov. 3) Open Division semifinal against No. 7 Classical Academy, which upset second-seeded Bonita Vista, 25-20. The Scotties will host the semifinal at 6 p.m.

Around the County

No. 8 Carlsbad 34, No. 1 San Marcos 7

SAN MARCOS — Carlsbad delivered the largest upset of the Open Division quarterfinals, stunning top-seeded San Marcos, 34-7.

The Lancers (15-7) avenged a 27-6 loss to San Marcos from only six days earlier and ended the Knights’ season after San Marcos entered the playoffs with a 21-1 record.

Carlsbad advances to Tuesday’s semifinal at No. 4 Torrey Pines. The Falcons will host the contest at 6 p.m.

No. 4 Torrey Pines 19, No. 5 Mira Mesa 7

CARMEL VALLEY — Torrey Pines defeated Mira Mesa for the second time this month, eliminating the Marauders with a 19-7 quarterfinal victory.

The Falcons carried a four-game winning streak into the semifinals, including an earlier 20-13 victory over Mira Mesa on Oct. 6.

Mira Mesa, which entered the playoffs at 18-5, saw its season end against the fourth-seeded Falcons.

Torrey Pines will host eighth-seeded Carlsbad in Tuesday’s semifinal.

No. 7 Classical Academy 25, No. 2 Bonita Vista 20

CHULA VISTA — Classical Academy completed the second major upset of the evening, knocking off second-seeded Bonita Vista, 25-20.

The Caimans eliminated a Bonita Vista team that entered the postseason with a 20-5 record and had handed Helix its only loss of the season.

Classical Academy advances to Tuesday’s semifinal at No. 3 Helix, assuring that at least one lower-half seed will reach the Open Division championship game.

The Open Division final is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Olympian High School.