Robinson, RedHawks sting Calipatria

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 12, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 41, CALIPATRIA 14

Robinson carries RedHawks past Hornets and into 3,000-yard company

By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com

CALIPATRIA — Elisha Robinson had already planned his postgame order on the bus ride home.

A 4-by-4 with some Animal Style fries.

After rushing for 294 yards and four touchdowns, helping Mountain Empire win on the road and crossing 3,000 career rushing yards, the junior had worked up an appetite.

The RedHawks stopped at In-N-Out on their way home from a 41–14 victory over Calipatria on Friday night.

Robinson and senior quarterback Chance Ross joined the East County Prep Football Postgame Show, giving the county a chance to meet the section’s reported rushing leader beyond the weekly statistics.

Robinson has been as elusive off the field with the media as he has been on the grass fields of the section’s far-eastern region.

Ross offered a one-word explanation for what makes his teammate so difficult to catch.

“Strides.”

Robinson’s four scoring runs covered 75, 20, 77 and 62 yards. He needed only 15 carries, averaging 19.6 yards per attempt, as Mountain Empire spoiled the Hornets’ Homecoming and rebounded from a disappointing Desert League opener.

The RedHawks improved to 5–3 overall and 1–1 in league play. Calipatria fell to 3–4 and 0–1.

Robinson now has 1,539 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns this season, leading the supplied section rushing standings. His career total stands at 3,085 yards, with the remainder of his junior season and his senior year still ahead.

His immediate target is clear.

“I’m trying to at least break 2,000 this year,” Robinson said. “But if I can, I’ll try and go higher.”

Football life measured in yards, miles

For Mountain Empire, the ride is part of the season.

The RedHawks’ backcountry location places them between San Diego-area opponents to the west and Desert and Imperial opponents to the east. Their schedule connects football communities separated by mountains and substantial stretches of highway.

Friday meant a trip to Calipatria, then a late ride home with teammates.

The restaurant stop offered a relaxed setting for two offensive leaders whose performances have helped Mountain Empire build a winning record. Ross discussed his protection. Robinson explained his running, credited his blockers and accepted responsibility for mistakes in the previous week’s loss to Vincent Memorial.

The RedHawks had fallen 50–29 in that league opener. Their response in Calipatria began with a 28–0 halftime lead.

“We just picked it up this week, got the win,” Ross said. “And that’s all that matters.”

Ross strikes early; Robinson stretches lead

Mountain Empire’s passing game supplied its two first-quarter touchdowns.

Ross connected with senior CJ Bynum for an 85-yard touchdown and senior Amar Mahasin for a 28-yard score, helping the RedHawks take a 14–0 lead after one quarter.

Bynum’s touchdown was his first of the season, giving his teammates another reason to celebrate.

Robinson then took over the scoring.

His 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, followed by an Elias Gutierrez extra point, extended Mountain Empire’s advantage to 21–0.

Robinson added a 20-yard scoring run, and Gutierrez’s conversion made it 28–0.

The RedHawks went into halftime having scored four touchdowns while keeping Calipatria off the scoreboard.

The Hornets broke through in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown and a successful two-point run, trimming the deficit to 28–8.

Robinson answered with his longest touchdown run of the evening.

His 77-yard burst, followed by another Gutierrez kick, pushed Mountain Empire ahead 35–8 entering the fourth quarter.

Robinson finished his scoring with a 62-yard touchdown run in the final period. The RedHawks’ two-point rushing attempt failed, leaving the score 41–8.

Calipatria later added a touchdown pass but missed its two-point rushing attempt, completing the 41–14 final.

Robinson’s four touchdown carries produced 234 yards. His other 11 attempts added 60.

Ross sees Robinson’s running style up close every week.

“He has the longest strides I’ve ever seen in my life,” the quarterback said.

Ross described a runner capable of turning an inside play into a long gain once he reaches the edge.

“He bounces outside and he’s gone,” Ross said.

Friday’s three touchdown runs of more than 60 yards illustrated that description. Robinson repeatedly converted openings into scores, leaving Calipatria little opportunity to recover after its first touchdown.

Robinson also understands what his rushing threat can do for Ross and the receivers.

“I’m trying to open up the pass game for them,” he said.

The RedHawks made that combination count. Ross completed 4 of 10 passes for 134 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, with each completion going to a different receiver.

Bynum had the 85-yard touchdown, Mahasin the 28-yard score, J. Arnold a seven-yard catch and D. Oney a 14-yard reception.

Mountain Empire finished with 428 yards of offense in the posted totals.

Robinson shares credit

Robinson was quick to identify the teammates helping create his opportunities.

Junior Angel Avila, a fullback and linebacker, provides an important part of the running game as a lead blocker.

“Honestly, most of these plays I wouldn’t be able to do without Angel,” Robinson said.

He described Avila coming through a gap as being almost like an extra guard.

Robinson also credited recent varsity call-up Gabe Garcia, brought up from junior varsity to fill in at center.

“When we needed him the most, he did his job,” Robinson said.

Ross praised the entire offensive line for giving him time to throw, including guys like Garrett Steinsdorfer, a sophomore, Logan Snyder, a senior, and Spencer Alvarez, another senior.

“They did their thing today,” Ross said. “I had so much time back there.”

For Mountain Empire, Friday’s offensive performance combined those contributions: blocking ahead of Robinson, protection for Ross and receivers who turned opportunities into touchdowns.

Responding with effort

Robinson had been frustrated by the previous week’s loss, including his own ball security.

“I was very disappointed,” he said. “I had to get it back this week.”

He accepted responsibility rather than placing it elsewhere.

“That is on me having bad ball security,” Robinson said.

Asked about the team’s approach to difficult opponents and mistakes, Robinson described head coach Cameron Keller’s emphasis on moving forward.

“Don’t let your past define who you are,” Robinson said, recounting the coach’s message.

“He wants us to respond with effort.”

The RedHawks delivered that response against Calipatria, establishing early control and maintaining it after the Hornets finally scored.

Avila, Robinson lead defense

Avila’s contributions extended well beyond clearing a path for Robinson.

He led Mountain Empire with 12 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and recorded a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

Robinson added 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Arnold contributed eight solo tackles. Sophomore N. Bean recorded a sack and a tackle for loss, while sophomore G. Garcia recovered a fumble.

The defense held Calipatria scoreless through halftime, allowing Mountain Empire’s offense to establish its four-touchdown cushion.

After surrendering 50 points to Vincent Memorial, the RedHawks limited the Hornets to 14.

Robinson joins 3,000-yard club

Friday was more than another big rushing night.

Robinson entered the Calipatria game with 2,791 career rushing yards. His 294-yard performance carried him past 3,000 and brought his varsity total to 3,085 yards.

He has accumulated that production in 23 varsity appearances, with 348 carries, an 8.9-yard average and 39 rushing touchdowns.

His progression shows how quickly his role has grown:

Freshman, 2024: 18 carries, 103 yards in five games.

Sophomore, 2025: 168 carries, 1,443 yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games.

Junior, 2026, through eight games: 162 carries, 1,539 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Robinson has already surpassed his sophomore rushing total by 96 yards, using six fewer carries.

That makes Robinson a new addition to the 3,000-yard group, with considerable time remaining to climb.

The list’s higher reaches include familiar East County names such as Jahmon McClendon, Elelyon Noa, Reggie Bush, Darrell Mack, Max Turner, Nathan Stinson and Major Givens.

Robinson’s career is still being written.

The 2,000-yard chase

Robinson has 1,539 rushing yards, leaving him 461 short of a 2,000-yard season.

With two regular-season games remaining, he would need an average of 230.5 yards per game to reach the milestone before the playoffs.

His current average is 192.4 yards per game. Maintaining that rate through the two remaining regular-season games would put him at approximately 1,924 yards entering the postseason.

Mountain Empire’s anticipated playoff appearance gives him a chance to extend the pursuit.

“I’ve been trying to at least average at least 200 per game,” Robinson said. “I’m trying to get 2,000 this year.”

If the RedHawks play one postseason game, Robinson would need approximately 153.7 yards per game over his next three outings to reach 2,000.

A deeper run could provide as many as five additional games when combined with the remaining regular season. At his current rate, that would put a season around 2,500 yards within mathematical reach, although advancement and production must still be earned.

For now, the target is the next game and the next opportunity.

Robinson has seven 100-yard performances in eight games, averages 9.5 yards per carry and has scored 22 rushing touchdowns.

A 2,000-yard season would place him alongside some notable names in the section’s single-season yardage list, including Royce Freeman, Tyler Gaffney, Reggie Bush, Ricky Williams and Arian Foster.

A winning meal on the ride home

The postgame interview eventually reached another important subject: dinner.

Robinson had planned his order before the bus arrived.

“About to get a 4-by-4 with some Animal Style fries,” he said.

Ross had his own combination ready: a 2-by-2, Animal Style fries and a milkshake.

For fans accustomed to seeing Robinson’s name above a large rushing total, the stop offered something more personal: a confident junior with goals, appreciation for his teammates and an appetite after a long night.

Southwest comes to Pine Valley

Mountain Empire returns home Friday, Oct. 16, for a 7 p.m. Desert League game against Southwest El Centro.

The Eagles enter 3–4 overall and 0–1 in league play. The RedHawks will try to build on their Calipatria victory and move above .500 in the league.

Both teams have beaten San Ysidro and O’Farrell Charter, and both have lost to Vincent Memorial.

Mountain Empire’s offensive identity is well established.

Robinson supplies the primary rushing threat. Ross has thrown for 958 yards and 12 touchdowns against three interceptions, while also rushing for 310 yards and three scores.

Mahasin leads the receiving group with 28 catches for 606 yards and nine touchdowns. His Calipatria score was his fifth touchdown reception over the last three games.

Bynum’s 85-yard touchdown adds another explosive option.

Southwest running back Irwin Gutierrez, rushing for 64 rushing yards per game, will be among the players Avila, Robinson and the RedHawks’ defense must contain.

Mountain Empire has two regular-season games left and a postseason opportunity ahead. Friday’s win restored momentum after the league-opening loss.

The next assignment is to carry that response into another week.

For Robinson, another milestone is approaching.

For the RedHawks, the immediate goal is another victory — this time with the game coming to them.

GAME AT A GLANCE

Final: Mountain Empire 41, Calipatria 14.

Quarter scores:

Mountain Empire 14–14–7–6

Calipatria       0– 0–8–6

Records: Mountain Empire 5–3, 1–1 Desert League; Calipatria 3–4, 0–1.

Passing: Chance Ross — 4-for-10, 134 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT.

Rushing: Elisha Robinson — 15 carries, 294 yards, 4 TD.

Receiving: CJ Bynum — 1 catch, 85 yards, TD; Amar Mahasin — 1 catch, 28 yards, TD; J. Arnold — 1 catch, 7 yards; D. Oney — 1 catch, 14 yards.

Defense: Angel Avila — 12 tackles, TFL, forced fumble; Robinson — 11 tackles, forced fumble, fumble recovery; Arnold — 8 tackles; N. Bean — sack, TFL; G. Garcia — fumble recovery.

Robinson’s season: 162 carries, 1,539 yards, 22 rushing TD.

Robinson’s career: 348 carries, 3,085 yards, 39 rushing TD.

Next: Southwest El Centro at Mountain Empire, Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.