Braves snake bit in loss to Rattlers

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 4, 2026

Canyon Hills quarterback Liam White

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

WHITE FIRES FOUR TD PASSES AS RATTLERS ROLL

CANYON HILLS 38, EL CAJON VALLEY 6

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO — Canyon Hills entered Friday still searching for its first victory of the season.

Quarterback Liam White and running back Ma’Kahi Fields-Cook made certain the search ended emphatically.

White completed 9 of 15 passes for 158 yards and four touchdowns, while Fields-Cook rushed for 156 yards and a score, leading the Rattlers to a 38-6 nonleague victory over El Cajon Valley.

Canyon Hills improved to 1-2 after producing its most complete offensive performance of the young season.

The Rattlers scored first and continued pulling away until they had constructed a 28-0 advantage. Their fourth touchdown came on the game’s most unusual play.

An El Cajon Valley defender made a strong play to deflect White’s pass, but the ball popped high into the air instead of falling incomplete. A Canyon Hills receiver secured the deflection and darted approximately a yard into the right pylon for the touchdown.

It was that kind of night for the Rattlers.

Senior receiver Taylon Sheriff became White’s leading target, catching five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. White distributed four touchdown passes among the Canyon Hills offense while Fields-Cook gave the Rattlers a powerful ground-game complement.

Fields-Cook’s 156-yard performance accounted for nearly all of Canyon Hills’ rushing production and supplied the balance necessary to prevent El Cajon Valley from concentrating solely on White and the passing attack.

The Braves (0-3) avoided the shutout with one of their finest offensive plays of the season.

Quarterback TJ Ibrahimi looked to Amir Miller down the left side despite the receiver drawing double coverage. Miller tracked the pass beautifully and made a textbook over-the-shoulder touchdown catch, securing the ball between two defenders for El Cajon Valley’s lone score.

The touchdown continued the developing connection between Ibrahimi and Miller, who has emerged as the Braves’ leading receiving threat during the opening weeks.

El Cajon Valley could not generate enough additional offense to threaten Canyon Hills’ substantial lead, however. The Rattlers finished the job to secure their first victory after opening the season with consecutive losses.

Both teams return to action Friday, Sept. 11, with opportunities that should reveal more about their early-season direction.

Canyon Hills visits Mira Mesa (2-1) at 7 p.m. The Marauders are coming off a 17-9 loss at West Hills in which they were held to 174 yards, including only 36 rushing yards.

Fields-Cook therefore presents an immediate challenge for a Mira Mesa defense that will need to rebound against a Canyon Hills attack arriving with renewed confidence.

El Cajon Valley hosts Orange Glen (0-3) at 7 p.m. in a matchup between two teams pursuing their first victory.

The Patriots have been outscored 154-7 through three games and are coming off a 41-7 loss to Foothills Christian. El Cajon Valley has been outscored 120-12, but the Braves should enter as the favorite and receive their best opportunity yet to break into the win column.

After a difficult opening stretch, Ibrahimi, Miller and the Braves will attempt to build upon their scoring connection against another rebuilding opponent.