Foothillers reach 3-0 by doubling Barons

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 6, 2026

Grossmont's Jamar McClendon carries on Friday night.

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

GROSSMONT 28, BONITA VISTA 14

EastCountySports.com staff report

LA MESA — Tyler Holmes delivered three touchdown passes, Jonah Martinez and Nate Clark each surpassed 100 receiving yards, and No. 18 Grossmont defeated Bonita Vista, 28-14, Friday night to complete an undefeated three-game opening stretch.

Grossmont improved to 3-0 for the second time in four seasons despite being denied on its opening possession by a Bonita Vista goal-line stand.

The Foothillers finally broke through with 7.8 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Holmes placed a short touch pass toward the right side of the end zone, where Jackson Baird elevated for a 4-yard touchdown reception. Jacob Fee ran in the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Bonita Vista quarterback Anthony Lorenz answered with a rushing touchdown, and Mark Johnson’s extra point pulled the Barons within 8-7.

Grossmont quickly regained control through Holmes and his deep receiving group.

Holmes connected with Clark for a 13-yard touchdown, although Clark’s celebration resulted in an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty that pushed the ensuing two-point attempt backward.

The additional distance did not matter.

Holmes lofted the conversion pass toward the back-right corner of the end zone, where Martinez made a spectacular toe-tapping catch to extend the lead to 16-7.

Martinez provided an even larger highlight later in the second quarter. He caught Holmes’ pass along the right side, fought through a defender and broke free for a 61-yard touchdown with 4:30 remaining before halftime.

The conversion failed, but Grossmont carried a 22-7 advantage into halftime.

Martinez finished with 143 receiving yards and one touchdown, while Clark added 109 receiving yards and a score. The performance gave Holmes his second consecutive game with at least 385 yards of total offense, if the previously posted season averages and Friday’s receiving totals are complete, but Grossmont’s full offensive statistics had not been reported.

The Foothillers also created a late first-half turnover. Vinny Michelson forced the fumble, and Diego Encinas recovered it at the Bonita Vista 31 with 3:41 remaining.

Neither team scored during the third quarter, but Grossmont struck immediately in the fourth. Jamar McClendon took an end-around 55 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the period, increasing the lead to 28-7 after the two-point attempt failed.

Bonita Vista responded when Lorenz connected with Adrian Torrentes for a touchdown pass. Johnson’s second extra point reduced the margin to 28-14, but the Foothillers controlled the closing minutes and secured their third consecutive victory.

The Barons generated considerably more offense than they had during their first two games. Ta’Vyon Moore rushed 23 times for 177 yards, while Lorenz completed 14 of 21 passes for 98 yards and one touchdown. Cole Margetts caught seven passes for 63 yards, and Torrentes added four receptions for 43 yards and the score.

Grossmont’s defense bent but prevented Moore from reaching the end zone and produced the turnover that helped preserve its two-score halftime advantage.

Rudy Gomez recorded 15 tackles, while Michelson contributed 11 tackles and the forced fumble. Baird supplemented his touchdown reception with seven tackles, giving the senior a productive two-way performance.

Bonita Vista fell to 0-3 despite accumulating 284 offensive yards, recording three sacks and intercepting two passes.

Baird makes an impact on both sides

Grossmont entered the season with an extensive collection of offensive options surrounding Holmes, and Jackson Baird demonstrated Friday that his value extends well beyond the receiving corps.

Baird made an athletic catch for Grossmont’s opening touchdown, winning the ball in the air on Holmes’ 4-yard pass with fewer than eight seconds remaining in the first quarter.

He then contributed seven tackles defensively, helping the Foothillers keep Bonita Vista scoreless during the second and third quarters.

Through three games, different players have supplied the decisive performances for Grossmont. Holmes dominated La Jolla with 385 total yards and three rushing touchdowns. Against Bonita Vista, Martinez and Clark both crossed 100 receiving yards, McClendon delivered the fourth-quarter breakaway run, and Baird contributed in all three phases of the game.

That versatility will become increasingly important as Grossmont’s schedule strengthens.

LOOK AHEAD: Grossmont faces major test at Point Loma

Grossmont’s undefeated start earns the Foothillers an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the San Diego Section’s leading teams.

The Foothillers travel Friday to face No. 8 Point Loma (3-0) at 7 p.m. in a matchup between unbeaten programs.

Point Loma has outscored its opponents 137-39 while averaging 45.7 points per game. The Pointers feature quarterback Ryder Watson, who is averaging 292 passing yards and 355.3 yards of total offense, along with receiver Tanner Spradling, who averages 95.3 receiving yards.

Grossmont will enter as the underdog, but its offensive balance gives the Foothillers a legitimate opportunity to challenge the Pointers. Before Friday’s unreported complete totals, Grossmont was averaging 463.5 yards per game, including 240.5 rushing and 223 passing.

The game should provide Grossmont’s defense with its most difficult assignment of the season. The Foothillers must pressure Watson while preventing Point Loma’s receivers from creating explosive plays downfield.

Offensively, Grossmont will need Holmes’ dual-threat ability, the emerging big-play connection with Martinez and another productive performance from a receiving group that has become increasingly difficult to defend.

The Foothillers have proven they can win comfortably and survive a fourth-quarter test. Point Loma now gives them an opportunity to prove their 3-0 start belongs among the county’s more significant early-season stories.