Helix, Patrick Henry headed to the ’SHIP!

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: November 4, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FLAG FOOTBALL
CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS — SEMIFINALS

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS senior writer

LA MESA — Helix defender Kaiya “Kat-Kat” Merlo broke up a two-point conversion pass with 5.4 seconds remaining, allowing the Highlanders to hold off Classical Academy, 21-20, in Tuesday’s (Nov. 3) CIF San Diego Section Open Division semifinal at Benton Hart Stadium.

The Scotties (18-1 overall), winners of an East County-record 13 straight games, rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit to secure a 21-14 advantage. However, after the Caimans completed a 62-yard touchdown drive during the final minute, they bypassed a one-point conversion attempt that would have forced overtime and instead went for two points and the victory.

Merlo was there to deflect the potential game-winning pass.

“Sometimes in football, everything goes quiet — you get locked in, do what you’re supposed to do and trust in your training,” said Merlo, a safety.

Helix needed two scores to complete its second-half comeback.

Following a touchdown run by Vida Sanchez, the extra-point attempt failed, leaving Classical Academy in front, 14-13.

However, Sanchez then connected with Nikayla Domingo for the go-ahead touchdown, and Sanchez added a two-point conversion run to propel the Scotties to a 21-14 advantage.

“I’m super excited about going to the ’ship,” said Sanchez, using the shortened term for championship. “I was able to run the ball in, which was hard to do because Classical was rushing four people at me all game.”

Domingo, a junior, added: “It was a pretty high-pressure play, so I was really excited when I saw the official’s hands go up in the air. I just had to go up and get the ball. I ran straight at the defender, and she hit me underneath my chin, but I just kept going and caught the ball.”

Helix, the third seed in the Open Division, captured a league championship this season for the first time in the program’s two-year history. It was the second league crown for Sanchez, who led San Ysidro to a championship in 2025 before her family moved into the Helix area during the summer.

“I thought I could show my teammates how to win a league title,” Sanchez said. “But when we lost in the first round of the playoffs, I was determined not to let that happen again.”

“Honestly, it was our energy. I just put the team on my back.”

The turnaround by Helix was not surprising to head coach Dwayne Brown, who watched the Highlanders rise from last place in the Grossmont Hills League during their expansion season to a top-five ranking throughout this campaign.

“We didn’t play well against Bonita Vista, which was the only team to beat us,” Brown said. “But we learned a lot from that experience. Losses teach you a lot. When we lock in on what we do, we are a better team, especially with Vida at quarterback.”

Emani Maclin, who also serves as Helix’s defensive captain, led the Scotties in flag pulls.

Helix will face Torrey Pines in the Open Division championship game Saturday at 6 p.m. at Olympian High. The Falcons defeated Carlsbad, 26-17, in the other semifinal.

Division 1

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 26, GRANITE HILLS 12

CARMEL HIGHLANDS — Cathedral Catholic avenged a regular-season loss to Granite Hills by defeating the Eagles, 26-12, Tuesday (Nov. 3) at Manchester Stadium.

The Dons (15-7 overall) will receive another rematch in the championship game, facing Western League rival Scripps Ranch. The teams split their two league meetings during the regular season.

Scripps Ranch advanced by edging visiting La Costa Canyon, 20-18.

Granite Hills completed its season with an 11-8 record after reaching the Division 1 semifinals.

Division 3

PATRICK HENRY 21, MABEL O’FARRELL CHARTER 6

SAN CARLOS — Patrick Henry became one of the few top-seeded teams to survive the early rounds of the CIF San Diego Section playoffs, stopping Mabel O’Farrell Charter, 21-6, in Tuesday’s (Nov. 3) Division 3 semifinal.

The Patriots (10-11 overall) advanced to Saturday’s championship game against Santa Fe Christian.

The Eagles earned their place in the final by defeating Southwest-El Centro, 14-2, in Solana Beach.

O’Farrell (17-4) suffered only its fourth loss of the season. All four defeats came against traditional large-school programs, and Tuesday marked the only one of those setbacks in which the Falcons scored.

Division 4

OCEANSIDE 20, SANTANA 18

SANTEE — The incredible postseason run by Oceanside — a team that needed a play-in victory merely to enter the main bracket — continued with the Pirates earning a berth in the Division 4 championship game.

Including its play-in victory, Oceanside (10-14 overall) registered its fourth consecutive postseason win Tuesday (Nov. 3), defeating eighth-seeded Santana, 20-18, at Santee Community Stadium.

The Sultans scored a late touchdown to move within two points, but their potential game-tying conversion attempt failed.

The setback snapped Santana’s season-best four-game winning streak and ended the Sultans’ campaign at 11-10.

Oceanside advanced to the Division 4 championship game against Imperial, which traveled to Lakeside and eliminated second-seeded El Capitan.

The Vaqueros completed their season with an 8-14 record.