Norsemen make early move in Hills

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 7, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS WATER POLO

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON — Valhalla made the opening week of Grossmont Conference competition count.

The Norsemen captured a pair of Grossmont Hills League victories, edging Grossmont, 14-13, before defeating Steele Canyon, 13-10, during the week ending Oct. 3.

The two victories lifted Valhalla to 10-9 overall and 2-0 in league play, moving the Norsemen above .500 after they entered the week with an 8-9 record.

The narrow decision over Grossmont was the week’s most competitive conference contest. Valhalla followed by holding off Steele Canyon two nights later, giving the Norsemen the league’s only 2-0 start.

Valhalla was rated 16th among San Diego Section teams in the computer rankings entering the week. Its victories came against Grossmont and Steele Canyon, but the significance rested in winning both ends of a demanding opening sequence and gaining an early advantage in the league standings.

Helix, the county’s fourth-rated team, opened its league schedule with a 13-7 victory over Grossmont.

The Scotties improved to 11-4 overall and continued to own the strongest overall résumé among Grossmont Conference teams. Helix has won eight of its last 10 reported games since opening the season with a loss to Bishop’s.

Santana, rated fifth in the section, also began league competition successfully with a 17-5 victory over Steele Canyon. The Sultans reached 12-5 overall and joined Helix at 1-0 in the Grossmont Hills standings.

Those results left Valhalla alone in first place through the opening week, although the Norsemen had played one more league game than Helix and Santana.

In the Grossmont Valley League, El Capitan continued its strong season with a 17-4 victory over Mount Miguel.

The Vaqueros improved to 12-3 overall, giving them the best winning percentage among Grossmont Conference teams. El Capitan has won six consecutive reported games since its Sept. 5 loss to San Dieguito Academy.

Granite Hills opened league play with a 12-5 victory over Mount Miguel, while West Hills defeated Monte Vista, 18-9.

Granite Hills’ progress has been particularly noticeable. After beginning the season with losses to La Jolla Country Day and Mission Bay, the Eagles have won five of their last seven reported contests to reach 5-4 overall.

West Hills improved to 5-10, but the Wolf Pack has won four of its last six after beginning the season 1-8. That turnaround included victories over Mater Dei Catholic, Otay Ranch and Monte Vista.

Outside the conference, Ramona produced another successful week.

The Bulldogs defeated Sage Creek, 14-11, and Bonita Vista, 19-7, improving to 11-4 overall. Ramona began the season 2-2 but has since won nine of its last 11 reported games.

Among the area’s other coverage teams, Poway defeated Oceanside, 14-8. The Titans improved to 9-6 while facing one of the section’s more demanding schedules and remained sixth in the county computer rankings.

Patrick Henry encountered two highly rated opponents. The Patriots fell to 10th-rated Mission Bay, 17-14, and then dropped a 14-12 decision to Coronado.

Coronado entered the week rated 20th, three positions behind Patrick Henry, making its victory the week’s closest result to a rankings upset involving an area team.

Canyon Hills nearly produced an upset of its own. The Rattlers pushed higher-rated High Tech San Diego before falling, 13-12.

Mount Miguel also finished the week with an encouraging performance despite its difficult stretch. After losses to Granite Hills, El Capitan and Sweetwater, the Matadors came within one goal of Escondido in an 8-7 decision.

The opening results established Valhalla as the early Grossmont Hills leader, while El Capitan remained the team to catch in the Grossmont Valley race.

With Helix and Santana both rated among the section’s top five and Valhalla gaining momentum, the Hills race could quickly become one of the area’s most competitive.