Highlanders get key GHL win over Eagles

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: September 25, 2026

Helix junior Myliya Johnson. / Vic Marano

Vida Sanchez touchdown pass to Myliya Johnson for Helix in the fourth quarter on Thursday.

2026 EAST COUNTY FLAG FOOTBALL

Johnson’s leaping grab lifts Helix past Granite Hills

HELIX 33, GRANITE HILLS 26

ECS Staff Report

LA MESA — Myliya Johnson leaped between two defenders to haul in Vida Sanchez’s 20-yard touchdown pass with 10:40 remaining Thursday (Sept. 24), putting Helix ahead to stay in a 33-26 victory over visiting Granite Hills.

Sanchez scrambled left and threw back across the field, sending Johnson high for the go-ahead grab. Nikayla Domingo caught the one-point conversion for a 27-20 lead. Helix added another touchdown before Granite Hills scored on a run with 1.6 seconds remaining.

The Highlanders (8-1 overall, 2-0 league) won their third straight game and took sole possession of first place in the Grossmont Hills League. The Eagles fell to 7-4 and 1-1.

Katie Petrich’s touchdown reception gave Granite Hills an early lead. Sanchez answered with a touchdown pass with 43 seconds left in the first quarter, but Juvania Jones’ scoring reception helped put the Eagles back ahead, 13-6.

Sanchez ran for a 15-yard touchdown with 58 seconds remaining before halftime, cutting the deficit to 13-12. Granite Hills extended its lead to 20-12 on a touchdown pass with 7:19 left in the third quarter.

Sanchez responded with a 1-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion pass to Johnson, tying the game with 4:06 remaining in the third before their fourth-quarter connection put Helix on top.

Sanchez, a senior with three years of flag football experience, has already thrown eight touchdown passes in a game for Helix this season.

Last year at San Ysidro, she passed for more than 4,500 yards and at least 76 touchdowns, while rushing for more than 1,300 yards and 27 scores. She threw eight touchdown passes against Mar Vista and seven against Montgomery, helping the Cougars finish 15-6 and win their league with a 6-0 record.

West Hills 33, at Monte Vista 6

SPRING VALLEY — West Hills, one of the region’s final schools to open its flag football schedule this season, looked like the fresher team after avoiding the early-season heat, ending Monte Vista’s school-record four-game winning streak with a 33-6 Grossmont Valley League victory Thursday (Sept. 24).

The 33 points marked a season high for the Wolf Pack, surpassing the 32 they scored against El Capitan on Sept. 15.

West Hills recorded its fourth consecutive road victory, improving to 5-3 overall. The Pack allowed an average of fewer than eight points during those four victories.

Monte Vista fell to 5-5 following its first loss since Sept. 3.

No individual statistics were reported.

Ramona 34, Westview 0

RAMONA — After accomplishing absolutely nothing against Ramona’s defense, all the Westview Wolverines could state was “Nevermore” when asked how they could avoid the shutout.

They didn’t.

The host Bulldogs handed Westview its largest shutout setback in school history, waltzing to a 34-0 non-league victory Thursday (Sept. 24).

Ramona defender Kynzie King paced all tacklers with 15 flag pulls, just one short of her season high. The senior moved into triple figures with 110 stops, the top total among all Palomar League programs.

King was joined by Reese Blakey in intercepting one Westview pass. King also rushed six times for 56 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Ramona quarterback Elisa Gaines smoked the Wolverines with two touchdown passes, connecting with Remingtyn Bryant and Blakey.

Blakey caught five passes for 95 yards, featuring a 34-yard touchdown reception.

The Bulldogs (7-4 overall), winners of two straight by shutout, return to Palomar League play Monday, traveling to Encinitas to meet San Dieguito Academy.

Steele Canyon 33, El Capitan 13

JAMUL — Steele Canyon registered its highest scoring output of the season, pulling away from El Capitan for a 33-13 Grossmont Hills League victory Thursday (Sept. 24).

The Cougars entered the contest coming off a 19-6 loss to Granite Hills but rebounded with their fourth game of at least 30 points this season.

Steele Canyon improved to 7-7 overall, while El Capitan fell to 6-7 after dropping three of its past four contests.

No individual statistics were reported.

Canyon Crest Academy 35, at Valhalla 20

RANCHO SAN DIEGO — Valhalla was unable to build upon the victory that snapped its long losing streak, falling to Canyon Crest Academy, 35-20, in non-league action Thursday (Sept. 24).

The Ravens recorded their seventh consecutive victory, improving to 9-1 overall.

Valhalla fell to 1-9. The Norsemen return to Grossmont Valley League play Tuesday at Santana.

No individual statistics were reported.

Mountain Empire 26, at Preuss UCSD 0

LA JOLLA — Mountain Empire recorded the first victory and first shutout in program history, blanking Preuss UCSD, 26-0, in non-league action Thursday (Sept. 24).

The RedHawks entered the contest having scored only 16 points through their first four games before breaking through with four touchdowns against the Tritons.

No individual statistics were reported.