EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER – Week 9

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 14, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

EAST COUNTY FEARLESS FORECASTER

By Ramon Scott

EastCountySports.com

The Grossmont Valley League takes center stage this week, with a traveling trophy, three unbeaten league records and a championship race that could become considerably clearer by Friday night.

West Hills visits El Capitan for the Tony Burner Memorial Trophy, bringing together two 2-0 league teams whose recent success has come through different strengths. The Wolf Pack has the steadier quarterback situation with Evin Dill; the healthier Vaqueros have rediscovered their running game behind Michael Castillo. Expect possessions to matter in a matchup that could leave the winner positioned for a title showdown with Valhalla.

The Norsemen have their own business to handle first. Santana visits Valhalla with a chance to interrupt both its three-game losing streak and the growing expectation that the Valley championship will run through the Norsemen. Valhalla has overwhelmed its opposition, but the Sultans begin a three-game closing stretch that should provide a much better measure of the league leader.

At the other end of the Valley standings, Monte Vista travels to El Cajon Valley for a game carrying considerable importance for two teams seeking their first league victory. The Monarchs need to stop a five-game slide and protect their postseason position. For the Braves, this could be their best remaining opportunity to end a lengthy league losing streak and give their playoff hopes some life.

The closest Hills League matchup figures to be Steele Canyon at Grossmont, where senior quarterbacks Gavin Caha and Tyler Holmes give both offenses reason for confidence. Each team is coming off a loss to one of East County’s heavyweights. Now the Cougars’ defensive strength meets the Foothillers’ home-field advantage in a game that could turn on one late possession.

Granite Hills visits Mount Miguel with a different assignment: maintain its momentum and keep moving toward a potential season-ending championship showdown with Helix. The Matadors, coming off a loss to unbeaten Patrick Henry, face another demanding opponent while trying to improve their uncertain postseason standing.

Outside the conference, Christian hosts La Jolla in a matchup offering the Patriots a realistic opportunity to earn their first Eastern League victory. With quarterback Kaleb Runkle sidelined, Christian’s running game has become essential. Another strong performance from Julian Morones could help the Patriots regain their footing against a closely matched opponent.

Mountain Empire welcomes Southwest-El Centro with a chance to keep its Desert League championship possibilities alive. The RedHawks have been decisive against opponents they should beat, and another productive night from Elisha Robinson would help preserve the importance of their season-ending trip to Palo Verde Valley.

Saturday morning brings Foothills Christian’s return against Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac. After two idle weekends, the Knights have a favorable opportunity to restore their offensive rhythm, move above .500 and prepare for their final two Sunset League games.

No. 24 WEST HILLS (6-1, 2-0) at No. 37 EL CAPITAN (3-4, 2-0)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. — El Capitan High
Grossmont Valley League — Tony Burner Memorial Trophy

The trophy connects two programs through a family. The standings give Friday’s meeting an urgency that extends beyond the rivalry.

West Hills brings six victories, an established quarterback and a defense that just kept Santana out of the end zone.

El Capitan brings improving health, a rejuvenated running game and an opportunity to demonstrate that its difficult September no longer defines its season.

The winner reaches 3-0 in the Grossmont Valley League. With Valhalla also unbeaten in league entering its game against Santana, this has the feel of a championship elimination game, even if the remaining schedule leaves room for another turn.

The Norsemen still must visit West Hills and host El Capitan. Neither team wants to approach those assignments already needing help.

A rivalry with a shared connection

The Tony Burner Memorial Trophy honors the son of longtime El Capitan head coach Ron Burner, whose connection to this game reaches across both sidelines.

Tony was a standout quarterback and baseball player at West Hills before later coaching alongside his father at El Capitan. The annual meeting honors his memory and the lasting relationships he formed at both schools.

Ron Burner’s long tenure in Lakeside and Casey Ash’s sustained success at West Hills give the matchup two of the conference’s most accomplished coaches.

Their teams arrive with different overall records but the same immediate opportunity.

El Capitan has won the last two meetings, 16-3 last season and 41-0 in Lakeside in 2024. West Hills’ most recent victory was 35-21 in 2023.

The Vaqueros have the recent series advantage. The Wolf Pack has earned the stronger position in this year’s ECS rankings.

Dill gives West Hills its steady hand

Evin Dill gives West Hills the more established quarterback situation, particularly when a possession requires something beyond the original play.

Against Santana, Dill threw two touchdown passes and rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries, helping the Wolf Pack retain the Santee City Cup with a 12-3 victory.

E.J. Lee-Fields added 75 rushing yards, caught the opening touchdown and contributed eight tackles. Chuck Rosolino caught three passes for 47 yards, including the other scoring pass.

West Hills finished with 210 rushing yards, finding enough sustained offense to win despite several missed opportunities.

Dill’s ability to escape pressure, extend a series and deliver a timely completion becomes especially valuable against an El Capitan defense that has allowed only seven points in its first two league games.

The Wolf Pack’s preference is a controlled game: protect possession, keep manageable distances and allow its defense to make the opponent work.

That approach has helped West Hills exceed expectations. It also fits the likely demands of Friday’s matchup.

Castillo changes El Capitan’s possibilities

El Capitan’s recovery begins with Michael Castillo, who has rushed for 290 yards on 33 carries over the Vaqueros’ first two league games.

His 157-yard performance helped finish off Santana in a 19-7 victory. Last week, he took El Capitan’s first offensive play 80 yards for a touchdown, beginning a 56-0 win over Monte Vista.

Castillo finished with 133 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries as the Vaqueros rushed for 280 yards.

“We got most of our guys back last week and are fairly healthy for this time of the year,” defensive coordinator Shaun McDade said before the Monte Vista game.

That improving availability has given El Capitan a more dependable offensive foundation. Daunte Painter added 44 rushing yards last week, while Hayden Passanisi supplied 34.

The passing game still must establish greater consistency.

Passanisi and Daniel Montijo each threw a touchdown against Monte Vista, but El Capitan finished with only 91 passing yards on five completions. Elijah Arzu supplied 57 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Braiden Linder added two catches for 32 yards.

West Hills will present a substantially more difficult assignment. El Capitan needs enough timely passing production to keep the Wolf Pack from committing entirely to Castillo.

Defenses should dictate the evening

Both teams have personnel capable of turning a promising possession into a punt.

West Hills recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss against Santana, limiting the Sultans to 20 rushing yards.

Zach Waters led that pressure with two sacks and three tackles for loss. Scott Miller contributed seven tackles, shared a sack and recovered the late fumble that ended Santana’s final threat.

Lee-Fields supplies another physical presence, while Mike Ware intercepted a pass for the second consecutive week.

El Capitan counters with Robinson Silva, who has recorded 28 tackles over the last two games.

Against Monte Vista, Silva finished with 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries, returning one fumble 57 yards for a touchdown. He also scored on offense.

Shayne Whitmore, Ryder Powers and Brycen Vermilya provide additional playmakers for a defense that produced 10 tackles for loss last week.

The recent games among these teams and Santana suggest how difficult points could become. El Capitan beat the Sultans 19-7; West Hills beat them 12-3. Last season’s Burner Trophy game ended 16-3, and West Hills needed overtime to beat Santana 10-7.

El Capitan’s 41-0 victory in 2024 shows that this rivalry does not guarantee a close finish. This year’s matchup, however, offers considerable reason to expect one.

Every finishing point matters

West Hills usually brings a dependable kicking game into these kinds of contests. Last week provided a rare interruption to that tradition.

Santana blocked both extra-point attempts, and the Wolf Pack missed a 32-yard field goal. Penalties also erased a touchdown and helped spoil another possession after West Hills reached the 4-yard line.

Those lost opportunities did not cost the Wolf Pack the Cup. Another narrow game would make them harder to absorb.

El Capitan received six successful PATs in six attempts from Powers against Monte Vista. Friday may offer far fewer chances, with considerably more riding on each one.

Fearless Forecaster

West Hills deserves respect for its 6-1 record, Dill’s leadership and a defense equipped to make El Capitan’s passing limitations uncomfortable.

The Vaqueros nevertheless look closer to the team they expected to be. Castillo’s return to form gives them a slight rushing advantage, and their defense has responded as the lineup has become healthier.

There is little separation between these defenses. Home field and El Capitan’s renewed ability to sustain possessions provide the narrowest of reasons to lean toward the Vaqueros.

Expect punts, difficult third downs and a fourth quarter in which every conversion carries weight. El Capitan keeps the trophy by one point, leaving West Hills with ample reason to believe the result could have gone the other way… EL CAPITAN 14, WEST HILLS 13

Norsemen set for revealing Valley test

No. 40 SANTANA (4-3, 0-2) at No. 19 VALHALLA (5-2, 2-0)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. — Valhalla High
Grossmont Valley League

Valhalla has made its first two league assignments look straightforward. Santana gives the Norsemen an opportunity to show how much of that dominance can carry into the more demanding portion of their schedule.

The Norsemen have won every game they have played this season, with their official record reflecting forfeits. They have opened Grossmont Valley League play by outscoring Monte Vista and El Cajon Valley 111-7, displaying the offensive balance and defensive pressure of a team expecting to contend.

The remaining question is how that production translates against the teams standing between Valhalla and a league championship.

Santana gets the first opportunity to provide an answer. West Hills and El Capitan follow.

For the Sultans, this is a chance to interrupt a three-game losing streak and recover some of the confidence that accompanied their 4-0 start. Their defense has kept both league losses competitive. Their offense now must give that defense more help.

Production earns attention

Valhalla’s scoring totals deserve recognition. So does the efficiency with which coach Jason Carter’s team has handled its assignments.

The schedule also matters when assessing what those numbers establish. The Norsemen have not yet faced the strongest portion of their Valley opposition, making the closing three games a better measure of their championship potential.

Both observations can hold: Valhalla has faced a manageable schedule, and its personnel may be capable of producing substantial victories against stronger opponents.

Friday begins that examination.

A victory would move the Norsemen to 3-0 in league, alongside the winner of West Hills–El Capitan. Valhalla then visits West Hills before hosting the Vaqueros in the regular-season finale.

The Norsemen have earned the opportunity to make those games meaningful. First, they must handle a Santana team with enough passing personnel and defensive playmakers to make mistakes costly.

Wilson has ways to finish

Adrian Wilson directed another productive evening in Valhalla’s 55-0 victory at El Cajon Valley, throwing four touchdown passes and adding a rushing touchdown.

The junior completed nine of 15 passes for 216 yards, connecting with T’Marrion Williams for three scores.

Williams finished with five catches for 125 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown that demonstrated how quickly the Norsemen can change field position. His ability to threaten downfield also creates room for Valhalla’s other options.

Camryn Conley caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. AJ Wright supplied a 27-yard reception, caught a two-point conversion and returned an interception for a touchdown.

That production comes with a dependable rushing complement.

Jayden Hunter gained 72 yards on eight carries against the Braves, scoring on runs of four and 13 yards. Santana cannot commit entirely to preventing Wilson’s downfield connections without leaving opportunities for Hunter.

The challenge is making Valhalla sustain possessions rather than allowing one completion or missed tackle to undo an otherwise sound series.

Santana must find points

The Sultans’ passing game remains capable of moving the ball. Their first two league results show how little that guarantees without protection, rushing support and successful finishes.

Ethan Miller threw for 259 yards against West Hills, and Santana finished with 279 total yards, one more than the winning Wolf Pack. The Sultans nevertheless scored only on Brendan Varner’s 23-yard field goal in a 12-3 defeat.

Denton Goar caught 13 passes for 126 yards, while Ethan Smith added four receptions for 56 yards. Kolten “Koko” Thornton remains another important receiving option.

Those targets give Miller opportunities to test Valhalla’s secondary. The Sultans must protect him long enough to use them.

Santana allowed five sacks against West Hills and finished with only 20 rushing yards. More production from Julian Mayers would help keep Valhalla from attacking obvious passing situations.

The Sultans have scored 10 combined points in their two league games. Their immediate goal is to finish drives with touchdowns and avoid asking Miller to overcome negative plays on every possession.

Pressure presents difficult assignment

Valhalla’s defense recorded seven sacks and three interceptions against El Cajon Valley.

Kaleb Osoimalo led the rush with three sacks. Chris Figueroa, Gabriel Lederer, Isaiah Steiner and James Shelton each added one.

Wright, Conley and Amar’e Young supplied the interceptions, giving the Norsemen opportunities to end possessions before the Braves could build a response.

Santana offers a more substantial passing test. Valhalla must combine pressure with disciplined coverage against receivers who can accumulate catches and extend drives.

The Sultans have defensive contributors of their own.

Dillon Timanus recorded 10 tackles, intercepted a pass and blocked both West Hills extra-point attempts last week. Tatum Morehouse added nine tackles, while Thornton supplied seven tackles and two passes defended.

Their work helped keep Santana within reach despite its offensive difficulties. Against Valhalla, the assignment expands: contain the run, prevent deep completions and avoid a stretch of quick scores that changes the game.

Recent meetings favor Norsemen

Valhalla holds a 19-17-1 series advantage, counting Santana’s awarded victory in the forfeited 1988 game.

The Norsemen have won the last two meetings, 31-14 in 2024 and 28-0 last season, and that was already a previous Norsemen era.

Santana won the preceding three encounters in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons, most recently taking a 48-6 victory at Valhalla in 2022.

The Sultans’ goals Friday extend beyond reversing the recent series results. A victory would restore momentum, earn their first league win and substantially alter a race currently led by three unbeaten teams.

Fearless Forecaster

Santana deserves credit for the defensive resistance it showed against West Hills and El Capitan. Miller and his receivers also give the Sultans a way to challenge Valhalla beyond what the Norsemen encountered in their first two league games.

Valhalla still has the stronger combination of scoring options, rushing support and defensive pressure.

The schedule leaves questions about the size of the Norsemen’s advantage against the Valley’s other contenders. Their personnel provides reason to believe the advantage is real.

Expect Santana to produce more offense than Valhalla’s recent opponents, but the Sultans’ protection and finishing problems are difficult to overlook against this pass rush.

Wilson, Williams and Hunter should create enough scoring possessions to keep Valhalla in control. The Norsemen move toward their closing two league games with another convincing victory… VALHALLA 42, SANTANA 14

Braves see opening, Monarchs need win

MONTE VISTA (2-5, 0-2) at EL CAJON VALLEY (2-5, 0-2)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. — Priest Field, El Cajon Valley High
Grossmont Valley League

Identical records give this matchup the appearance of an even assignment. Recent results and the line-of-scrimmage matchup still favor Monte Vista.

For El Cajon Valley, however, Friday offers something its first two league games did not: a realistic opportunity to change the direction of its season.

The Braves have lost 17 consecutive league games, a drought stretching back to 2022. Monte Vista arrives with five straight defeats of its own, most recently a 56-0 loss to El Capitan that left the Monarchs searching for a substantial response.

Neither team can afford to treat this as simply a meeting between struggling neighbors.

Monte Vista enters the week near the edge of the 16-team Division V playoff field, sitting 15th in the current division picture. El Cajon Valley is considerably farther outside.

A victory would not settle either team’s postseason position. A defeat would leave an already difficult route substantially narrower.

An opportunity Braves must recognize

El Cajon Valley’s first two league opponents, West Hills and Valhalla, combined to outscore the Braves 103-12.

Monte Vista presents a more attainable assignment, although the Monarchs remain the favorite. For the Braves, this may be their best opportunity in several seasons to interrupt the league losing streak.

Their 2-3 nonleague record left little margin for an extended Valley struggle. With El Capitan and Santana remaining after Friday, the Braves likely need this victory to give their postseason hopes a meaningful lift. They may still need another.

Coach Syd Reed’s team has demonstrated that it can produce points against more comparable opposition, beating Orange Glen and Castle Park before encountering the league’s unbeaten teams.

The challenge is carrying that offensive competence into a conference game.

The Braves also have been playing without Rashaunn Barr, an important contributor who suffered a serious injury in a collision against West Hills two weeks ago.

His absence adds to an assignment that already requires El Cajon Valley to play more efficiently than it has in its first two league outings.

Kashindi supplies offense

The newly available numbers from El Cajon Valley’s 55-0 loss to Valhalla illustrate both the difficulty of that matchup and the players who continued supplying production.

Janvier Kashindi rushed for 39 yards on nine carries and caught two passes for 33 yards, accounting for 72 of the Braves’ 95 offensive yards.

He added a 31-yard kickoff return and led the team with six tackles.

That involvement makes Kashindi central to Friday’s possibilities. El Cajon Valley needs enough rushing production to avoid placing every series on its passing game, while his receiving ability provides another way to get him the ball.

Sophomore quarterback TJ Ibrahimi completed three of 22 passes for 51 yards and two interceptions against Valhalla’s pressure.

Freshman Jaymirre Crawford caught the other completion for 18 yards. Amir Miller, who caught a touchdown pass against West Hills, gives the Braves another receiving option.

The immediate priorities are protection, manageable down-and-distance situations and completions that keep possessions moving. El Cajon Valley cannot repeatedly surrender the ball before its defense has time to recover.

There were individual contributions elsewhere against Valhalla.

Jonathan Gonzalez recorded a sack and three quarterback hurries. Gavino Kendall-Pinal supplied four tackles and a 28-yard kickoff return, while Crawford contributed three tackles.

Those efforts need to become part of a more complete performance against Monte Vista.

Monarchs must establish up front

Monte Vista’s recent losses have come against opponents capable of exploiting its defensive difficulties. Friday offers an opportunity to reverse the physical terms of the game.

El Capitan rushed for 280 yards against the Monarchs last week, beginning with Michael Castillo’s 80-yard touchdown run on the Vaqueros’ first offensive play. Monte Vista finished with 129 total yards.

The Monarchs cannot carry that opening into another Friday.

Their best route begins with a ground game that allows them to control possession and make El Cajon Valley defend consecutive snaps.

Daesean Jenkins provides the principal rushing threat. Aleksander Carrera and Edwin Smith IV give Monte Vista additional options, but the Monarchs should not need to rely exclusively on isolated explosive plays.

They need consistent blocking, secure exchanges and sustained drives.

If Monte Vista establishes the expected advantage at the line of scrimmage, it can produce points while reducing the number of opportunities for the Braves’ passing game to find its rhythm.

Defensively, the Monarchs need to tackle Kashindi before modest gains become the kind of sustained production El Cajon Valley has struggled to establish against stronger opponents.

Braves have ended drought before

Monte Vista leads the series 33-17-1 and has won the last three meetings: 24-14 in 2023, 40-12 in 2024 and 27-0 last season.

The Braves do not have to look back beyond this decade for evidence that they can win this matchup.

El Cajon Valley beat Monte Vista 41-22 in 2021 and 37-8 in 2022, taking consecutive meetings before the Monarchs regained control.

The Braves’ most recent league victory came later in 2022, when they defeated Mount Miguel 47-32.

Friday gives them a chance to stop both their conference drought and Monte Vista’s current series winning streak.

For the Monarchs, recent history supplies an expectation they must meet through execution rather than assume from the opponent’s record.

Postseason urgency on both sides

Monte Vista’s position near the Division V cutoff makes this a particularly important opportunity.

The Monarchs still face Santana and West Hills. A third victory would help, but it would not guarantee that their rating holds inside the field when the final calculations are made.

A loss to a team currently below them would put their postseason hopes in serious jeopardy.

El Cajon Valley has more ground to make up. Winning Friday would at least give the Braves a result capable of reopening the discussion, with further work likely required over the final two weeks.

Both teams need the immediate victory before worrying about how much assistance the rest of the schedule might provide.

Fearless Forecaster

El Cajon Valley deserves to view this as an opportunity. Monte Vista’s recent defensive results give the Braves reason to believe they can generate more offense than they managed against West Hills and Valhalla.

Kashindi’s versatility and a more productive evening from Ibrahimi would give the home team a chance to remain involved.

Monte Vista nevertheless should have the stronger rushing game and enough of a physical advantage to dictate most possessions.

Expect the Braves to produce points and make stretches of the game competitive. Jenkins and the Monarchs should sustain enough offense to create separation, stop their five-game slide and preserve their place in the postseason conversation… MONTE VISTA 35, EL CAJON VALLEY 17

Caha, Holmes to provide Grossmont Hills thrills

No. 16 STEELE CANYON (4-3, 0-1) at No. 17 GROSSMONT (5-3, 0-2)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. — Lt. Adams Field, Grossmont High
Grossmont Hills League

Their last opponents demonstrated the distance to the top of the Grossmont Hills League. Friday should provide a clearer picture of the distance between Steele Canyon and Grossmont.

There may not be much.

The Cougars visit after a 35-7 loss to Granite Hills. The Foothillers remain home following a 49-12 defeat against Helix, their second consecutive assignment against East County’s leading programs.

Those results require correction, but they do not settle this matchup. One position separates the teams in the ECS rankings, Grossmont has home field, and both offenses feature senior quarterbacks capable of deciding a close game.

Gavin Caha gives Steele Canyon an experienced passer with more than 5,400 career passing yards. Tyler Holmes gives Grossmont a quarterback whose running makes covering his receivers only part of the defensive assignment.

This could be the Hills League’s most evenly matched game of the season.

Position matters beyond standings

Neither team enters Friday controlling the championship race. Both have meaningful postseason opportunities to protect.

Grossmont begins the week around the projected No. 2 seed in Division III, while Steele Canyon sits around No. 10 in Division II.

Those positions remain subject to the final ratings and placement process. Friday could affect both the eventual division assignments and the quality of the teams’ postseason paths.

For the Foothillers, beating a higher-rated opponent would strengthen an already promising playoff position. For the Cougars, a road victory would help preserve their standing before next week’s meeting with Helix.

The immediate objective is simpler: earn a first Hills victory and recover momentum against an opponent much closer in strength than the teams that handed them last week’s losses.

Cougars moved ball, but scores elusive

Steele Canyon’s final score at Granite Hills concealed several opportunities to make the game more competitive.

The Cougars produced 307 yards of offense, including 171 rushing yards, but promising possessions repeatedly ended without points.

Caha was stopped near the goal line on the final play of the first half. Early in the third quarter, a holding penalty erased an apparent touchdown run, and the ensuing field-goal attempt was tipped.

Those empty possessions allowed Granite Hills to maintain control.

Caha finished 13-for-23 for 136 passing yards, adding 43 yards on five carries and a 2-yard rushing touchdown.

Josiah Stocker caught four passes for 44 yards and gained 23 yards on a reverse. Trevor Zenno added three receptions for 29 yards.

The Cougars showed enough variety to challenge Grossmont. Their next step is completing drives before penalties or negative plays take away the scoring opportunity.

Stocker remains a major concern for the Foothillers. His receiving production and ability to take a reverse give Steele Canyon ways to move him into favorable situations.

Marcus Hunt supplies rushing support, while Cameron Trujillo provides another receiving option.

Holmes has help in backfield

Grossmont also needs better finishes after its first three possessions against Helix ended on downs.

An early interception by Jamar McClendon gave the Foothillers an opening, but they could not turn that opportunity into points. The Highlanders subsequently established the advantage that dictated the evening.

Grossmont’s two touchdowns nevertheless showed different ways its offense can create an answer.

Junior Jacob Fee scored on a 14-yard run, taking a handoff from Holmes as a defender closed on the quarterback. Fee ran off the left side, slipped a tackle and reached the end zone.

That exchange illustrated the difficulty Holmes can create even when he does not keep the ball. A defender committed to the quarterback still must account for the runner leaving with the handoff.

Holmes later fired across the middle to Cedric Norris, who made a difficult touchdown catch with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter.

Fee and Corbin Dow give Grossmont additional rushing options, while Jonah Martinez supplies another important receiving threat.

For coach Anthony Lawrence, the goal is making that supporting production part of sustained possessions. Grossmont cannot afford another evening in which its best moments arrive after the opponent has already created substantial separation.

Two senior QBs, two different strengths

Caha and Holmes are also baseball standouts, and both have accumulated substantial varsity football experience.

Caha’s career passing figures include 396 completions in 650 attempts for 5,409 yards and 59 touchdowns, with 20 interceptions. His career completion rate is 60.9 percent.

Holmes’ totals include more than 3,200 yards and 38 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions.

The greater difference comes on the ground.

Holmes entered last week with 1,310 career rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, including 727 yards and 12 scores this season. His ability to extend a play or become the primary runner gives Grossmont a different offensive dimension.

Caha’s passing résumé is stronger, and his running at Granite Hills demonstrated that he can punish a defense with his legs, too.

The matchup is less about choosing the better quarterback in isolation than determining which team can give its quarterback the more manageable situations.

Cougars defense has edge

The Cougars have the stronger defensive case, but Holmes will test their discipline.

Luke Rode and Hawkins Ayede are among the defenders who must help contain Grossmont without allowing its passing game room behind that commitment.

Pressure must remain controlled. A rush that creates an escape lane can turn good coverage into another Holmes first down.

Grossmont needs more consistent resistance after facing Granite Hills and Helix. Rudy Gomez and Jackson Baird will be important to disrupting Steele Canyon before Caha and Stocker establish their rhythm.

The Foothillers also must tackle well after completions. Giving Steele Canyon easy yards beyond the catch would make matching scores considerably more difficult.

One timely stop could decide this game. Steele Canyon has a slight advantage in the likelihood of producing it, but Grossmont’s home field and offensive variety make that advantage small.

Foothillers have won the last two

Grossmont has won both meetings with Steele Canyon under Lawrence, taking 39-36 in 2023 and 60-49 in 2024.

The programs did not meet last season.

Those two games produced 184 combined points, providing ample precedent for a contest requiring repeated offensive answers.

Steele Canyon won 31-10 in 2022. The teams split their two meetings in 2021, with the Cougars winning 23-10 in the regular season before Grossmont answered with a 17-14 playoff victory.

Recent history gives the Foothillers more than a theoretical chance. They have demonstrated that they can finish ahead of Steele Canyon when the game becomes a scoring contest.

QUARTERBACK COMPARISON (Holmes’ stats vs. Helix not included)

Category	Gavin Caha	Tyler Holmes
Games played	31	27
Completions–attempts	396–650	253–451
Completion percentage	60.9%	56.1%
Passing yards	5,409	3,148
Passing touchdowns	59	37
Interceptions	20	13
Rushing yards	284	1,310
Rushing touchdowns	3	21
Combined passing and rushing yards	5,693	4,458

Fearless Forecaster

Last week’s defeats came against Granite Hills and Helix, two of the county’s better teams. They do not provide much reason to separate these opponents now.

Caha can match Grossmont through the air, and Steele Canyon’s defense gives the Cougars the narrow overall edge. Holmes’ running, Fee’s contribution and the Foothillers’ home field keep the difference from becoming comfortable.

Expect productive stretches from both quarterbacks and considerably more scoring than either offense managed last week.

Grossmont has won the last two meetings. Steele Canyon gets the final answer this time, with a late stop or successful finishing possession deciding a game that remains unsettled to the wire… STEELE CANYON 31, GROSSMONT 30

Eagles bring Open ambitions into matchup

No. 4 GRANITE HILLS (5-2, 2-0) at MOUNT MIGUEL (2-4, 0-1)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. — Mount Miguel High
Grossmont Hills League

For the past two seasons, this matchup helped determine the Grossmont Hills League championship. This time, the teams arrive with considerably different assignments.

Granite Hills is trying to remain unbeaten in league and strengthen its position near the section’s highest postseason bracket. Mount Miguel needs a response to consecutive difficult losses and a result that would improve its uncertain playoff outlook.

The Eagles enter as substantial favorites. Their passing game is producing through several receivers, their defense continues supplying consequential stops, and their remaining schedule offers an opportunity to turn another league championship pursuit into something larger.

For the Matadors, the task begins with making Granite Hills earn its possessions and preventing one difficult stretch from deciding the evening.

Benitez has more than one connection

Zachary Benitez threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 35-7 victory over Steele Canyon, completing 23 of 32 passes to six receivers.

Courtney “Nino” Miller-Thompson caught six passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns, continuing to give the Eagles a receiver capable of creating separation both within a possession and on the scoreboard.

Mount Miguel cannot concentrate entirely on that connection.

Jonah Hamilton added six receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Jesse Wilhite caught three passes for 60 yards.

Wilhite’s contributions included consecutive catches on third-and-long and fourth down that kept a second-quarter scoring drive alive. Those plays illustrated why defending Granite Hills requires more than preventing the first explosive completion.

Even when an opponent creates a favorable down-and-distance situation, Benitez has the experience and receiving options to escape it.

Gage Spalding provides the rushing complement. He gained 44 yards on seven carries against Steele Canyon and scored on a 6-yard run, helping the Eagles finish a possession after Wilhite extended it.

Granite Hills finished with 379 total yards. Its ability to distribute those opportunities presents a substantial challenge for Mount Miguel’s defense.

Matadors need to extend resistance

Mount Miguel kept undefeated Patrick Henry scoreless through the opening quarter last week. The game changed during a 29-point second quarter, and the Patriots finished with a 43-6 victory.

Henry quarterback Madin Gardini completed 20 of 24 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns, adding two rushing scores.

Granite Hills brings another accurate, experienced quarterback and a deeper collection of proven scoring options. The Matadors must prevent Benitez from establishing the same sustained control.

That means making tackles after completions, avoiding penalties that extend drives and finding enough offensive first downs to keep the defense from repeatedly returning to the field.

Dominic Lopez supplies a rushing option, while Cayden “Prince” Mobley offers the possibility of an explosive play. Quarterback Enrique Gonzalez faces the challenge of sustaining possessions against an Eagles defense capable of disrupting the backfield.

Mount Miguel needs those possessions to produce more than an occasional answer after Granite Hills has established a lead.

Granite’s defense finishes

Steele Canyon accumulated 307 offensive yards last week, but Granite Hills repeatedly prevented that production from becoming points.

The Eagles stopped Gavin Caha near the goal line on the final play of the first half. They then survived another deep advance early in the third quarter, with a holding penalty erasing a Cougars touchdown before Wilhite helped disrupt the ensuing field-goal attempt.

Those sequences preserved a 21-0 advantage.

Travin Shabazz was credited with four tackles for loss. Trevor Nash and Jeremiah May supplied sacks, while Jamir Alvarez contributed several forceful stops.

Against Mount Miguel, the Eagles will look to establish that pressure earlier in possessions, creating difficult passing situations and favorable field position for their offense.

The Matadors’ best response is secure ball handling and enough early-down rushing success to avoid repeatedly asking Gonzalez to overcome long yardage.

A larger opportunity remains

Granite Hills remains No. 4 in the rankings, but the current section computer ratings place the Eagles sixth, immediately behind Helix in fifth.

The difference is small: Helix stands at 73.66, Granite Hills at 73.43. Fourth-place Santa Fe Christian sits at 73.68.

That positioning gives the Eagles and Highlanders reason to view their regular-season finale as potentially significant beyond the league championship.

If both continue winning, a victory over the other would supply a highly rated opponent at an important point in the season. Depending on results elsewhere and the final calculations, that could help the winner reach the four-team Open Division field.

Santa Fe Christian’s remaining schedule offers fewer opportunities for a comparable victory, although none of those possibilities guarantees a change in the order.

Granite Hills’ immediate responsibility is handling Mount Miguel. Protecting its postseason opportunity begins with completing the assignment in front of it.

Mount Miguel still has goals

The Matadors’ difficult schedule leaves a possible route into the Division V postseason, but their position is not secure.

A victory over the final three weeks would substantially strengthen their case. Without another win, they may have to wait on the final ratings and results around the qualification line.

Friday therefore matters even with the substantial difference between the teams.

Mount Miguel needs competitive possessions, improved defensive finishes and enough consistency to carry into its remaining games. An upset would transform its outlook; the immediate goal is giving itself a chance to remain involved.

Fearless Forecaster

Patrick Henry’s unbeaten start deserved the attention it received last week. Granite Hills presents an even more demanding overall assignment for the Matadors.

Benitez’s receiving options, Spalding’s rushing support and the Eagles’ defensive front give the visitors clear advantages across the matchup.

Mount Miguel can produce individual moments and should approach its home field with something to prove. Sustaining enough of those moments to match Granite Hills over four quarters is a much larger task.

Expect the Eagles to establish control early, create scoring opportunities through the air and move to 3-0 in league. The Matadors find the end zone, but Granite Hills should have the outcome comfortably in hand… GRANITE HILLS 49, MOUNT MIGUEL 7

Patriots looking for Eastern breakthrough

LA JOLLA (2-5, 1-1) at No. 30 CHRISTIAN (5-2, 0-2)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. — Christian High
Eastern League

Christian’s season has changed direction. Friday offers an opportunity to keep it from drifting farther.

The Patriots opened with five consecutive victories, finding ways to win despite the early-season injury to quarterback Kaleb Runkle. Consecutive Eastern League losses have since pushed their championship hopes into the background and made improvement before the postseason the more immediate assignment.

La Jolla provides a reasonable opportunity to begin that recovery.

The Vikings already have a league victory, and their 2-5 overall record reflects a schedule that has included several demanding opponents. They stand 30th in the section computer rankings, just ahead of Christian in 32nd.

That comparison suggests a much closer matchup than the teams’ records alone.

Christian has home field and Julian Morones, whose running has remained productive even as the Patriots’ available offensive options have narrowed. The Vikings bring enough balance to make Christian earn its first league victory.

A different objective for the closing stretch

With San Diego and St. Augustine both 2-0 in Eastern play, Christian’s 0-2 start has left little room to recover in the championship race.

There is still considerable reason to finish well.

The Patriots are tracking toward Division III, where their running game could make them a difficult postseason opponent. Developing the supporting offense, tightening pass coverage and potentially regaining Runkle would improve that outlook.

His availability remains uncertain. Christian must prepare to win with the personnel available rather than make its progress dependent on a return date.

That has worked against several opponents this season. Friday offers another closely matched assignment in which the Patriots’ ground game can give them a path to victory.

Morones keeps supplying the answer

Morones rushed for 269 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries in last week’s 47-27 loss at University City.

The sophomore scored on runs of 80, 1 and 32 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per carry. He also intercepted a pass early in the third quarter, then supplied both carries on the ensuing 10-yard touchdown possession.

Christian twice cut University City’s lead to 13 points in the third quarter. Morones gave the Patriots a way back into the game, but their defense could not produce enough stops to complete the comeback.

The Patriots finished with 326 rushing yards and 348 total yards.

Those figures demonstrate both their strength and their limitation. Christian can generate substantial offense on the ground, but it has little margin when an opponent forces it to chase points through the air.

Against La Jolla, Morones’ power and ability to break a long run give the Patriots their clearest advantage. Sustained possessions would also reduce the opportunities for the Vikings to test Christian’s secondary.

A little passing would go a long way

With Runkle still sidelined by a lower-leg injury, sophomore Joel Hardy IV handled the passing duties at University City.

Hardy completed five of 11 passes for 22 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. His 3-yard scoring pass to Soren Lucey supplied Christian’s final touchdown.

Lucey and Connor Nguyen give the Patriots receiving options, but Christian needs more dependable complementary production.

That does not require abandoning its identity. A few timely completions on early downs or in third-down situations could prevent La Jolla from committing entirely to Morones.

Avoiding turnovers is equally important. Christian cannot afford to give the Vikings points or short fields while asking its running game to carry such a substantial share of the offense.

La Jolla’s record understated

The Vikings lost by five points at unbeaten Patrick Henry and by seven at Grossmont. They also have faced Point Loma, St. Augustine and Cathedral Catholic.

Their victories came against La Jolla Country Day, 26-0, and Scripps Ranch, 42-29.

Last week’s 49-7 loss to Cathedral Catholic illustrates the difficulty of facing one of the section’s leading teams. It offers less guidance for Friday’s matchup against a Christian team rated almost alongside La Jolla.

The Vikings average 341.4 offensive yards, divided between 197.7 passing and 143.7 rushing.

Kali Deberry leads the ground game with 693 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 99 yards per game and 5.8 per carry. Joseph Crudo has added 218 rushing yards and three scores.

Christian cannot focus exclusively on preventing another difficult evening against the pass. Deberry gives La Jolla a dependable way to advance if the Patriots leave too much room underneath.

Bardaro tests the coverage

Nicolas Bardaro caught eight passes for 135 yards against Cathedral Catholic, demonstrating that La Jolla can produce through the air even in a difficult matchup.

He leads the Vikings with 30 receptions for 436 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Zakai Jackson has added 22 catches for 307 yards and three scores, while Emerson Rota supplies another receiving option.

Brody Bukich and Ty Tortorice have shared the passing production, combining for 1,342 yards.

Christian held University City to 48 rushing yards on 26 attempts, but surrendered 370 passing yards and five touchdown passes. Turning its effective run defense into complete possessions requires fewer open receivers and better containment after catches.

Morones, Gavin Runkle and the Patriots’ other defensive contributors must help keep La Jolla from repeatedly answering scoring drives with quick passing gains.

The Vikings also have a defensive playmaker in Bryson Grant, who recorded eight tackles and returned an interception for their only touchdown against Cathedral Catholic.

Fearless Forecaster

Christian’s two league losses have exposed the consequences of limited offensive balance and inconsistent pass defense. La Jolla has the personnel to challenge both.

The Patriots nevertheless have a substantial rushing weapon in Morones and a home matchup against an opponent much closer to them in overall strength.

Expect Deberry and Bardaro to give the Vikings productive stretches. Christian will need more than another large individual rushing total: a timely completion, a defensive takeaway or one additional stop must accompany Morones’ work.

The Patriots find just enough support, and their running game helps finish a close fourth quarter. Christian earns its first Eastern League victory and begins rebuilding momentum for November… CHRISTIAN 27, LA JOLLA 24

RedHawks still can find share of title

SOUTHWEST-EL CENTRO (3-4, 0-1) at MOUNTAIN EMPIRE (5-3, 1-1)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. — Mountain Empire High
Desert League

Mountain Empire has given itself a reason to keep watching the Desert League standings. Friday’s assignment is making sure that interest survives another week.

The RedHawks return to Pine Valley after a 41-14 victory at Calipatria, bringing a productive running game, an increasingly dangerous passing complement and a possible route to a share of the league championship.

Southwest-El Centro presents an opponent Mountain Empire should be capable of handling. The Eagles also arrive after a victory and have demonstrated that they can win a game in which possessions and points are limited.

For the RedHawks, the challenge is imposing their more explosive offense without supplying the mistakes that would allow Southwest to shorten the evening.

Robinson gives Mountain Empire its identity

Elisha Robinson rushed for 294 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries against Calipatria, scoring on runs of 75, 20, 77 and 62 yards.

The junior now has 1,539 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns this season. His career rushing total stands at 3,085 yards, with considerable time remaining to add to it.

Those numbers begin with speed and the ability to turn an opening into a touchdown. They also reflect a running game in which Robinson has been quick to acknowledge the players ahead of him.

Fullback Angel Avila supplies lead blocking, and the offensive line gave Mountain Empire room to establish control at Calipatria.

Southwest’s first responsibility is preventing another evening of long scoring runs. Making Robinson earn his yards through consecutive carries would give the Eagles a better opportunity to keep the game manageable.

The difficulty is doing that without creating opportunities elsewhere.

Ross commits to Robinson

Mountain Empire’s first two touchdowns at Calipatria came through the air.

Chance Ross connected with CJ Bynum and Amar Mahasin for scoring passes before Robinson supplied the next four touchdowns.

Ross finished with 134 passing yards and two touchdowns, giving the RedHawks another demonstration of what can happen when a defense concentrates too heavily on the run.

Mahasin has 28 receptions for 606 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Bynum’s scoring contribution adds another receiver for Southwest to account for.

Ross also brings his own rushing threat, giving Mountain Empire more options than simply handing Robinson the ball and waiting for an opening.

The RedHawks have looked decisive against opponents they should beat while remaining competitive in difficult assignments. Their next step is sustaining that level of execution as the remaining opportunities become more consequential.

Eagles prefer different kind of game

Southwest ended a two-game losing streak with a 14-3 victory over Somerton, Ariz., last Thursday.

The Eagles generated 126 offensive yards, but their defense kept Somerton out of the end zone.

Irwin Gutierrez rushed for 56 yards on 11 carries. Ignacio Perez added 22 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Leonardo Valenzuela caught a touchdown pass.

Perez also led Southwest with nine tackles. Jaden Real recorded six tackles, forced a fumble and recovered one.

That performance fits an Eagles team that has won three games while scoring relatively few points. Southwest beat San Ysidro 7-0 and O’Farrell Charter 26-6 before its victory over Somerton.

Its league opener was considerably more difficult: a 35-0 loss to Vincent Memorial.

Against Mountain Empire, the Eagles need Gutierrez and Adrian Jauregui to sustain enough rushing production to keep quarterback Ryan Fakih out of repeated long-yardage situations.

Their best chance is a controlled game with few short fields. Trading quick touchdowns would favor the RedHawks.

Defense must carry response

Avila led Mountain Empire with 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble at Calipatria.

Robinson added 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, contributing on both sides as the RedHawks answered their 50-29 loss to Vincent Memorial.

Mountain Empire held Calipatria scoreless through halftime and established a 28-0 advantage.

That combination—offensive separation supported by early defensive stops—is available again Friday if the RedHawks tackle consistently and protect possession.

During the postgame interview, Robinson described the approach coach Cameron Keller asks the team to maintain against any opponent.

“Play 100% all four quarters,” Robinson said.

Friday requires that same commitment with Mountain Empire entering as the favorite.

Keep championship route open

The RedHawks’ anticipated Division V-AA postseason appearance gives them something to pursue beyond the regular season. Their immediate attention belongs on the league race.

Winning Friday would move Mountain Empire to 2-1 in Desert play and preserve the possibility of finishing 3-1 with a victory at Palo Verde Valley in the finale.

If Palo Verde handles Calipatria and Southwest beforehand, a RedHawks victory in Blythe could help create a three-way championship tie, depending on Vincent Memorial’s remaining league result.

That is a demanding route. It also gives Friday’s game a clear purpose.

Mountain Empire cannot afford to arrive at the finale with another league loss and expect the same championship opportunity.

Fearless Forecaster

Southwest’s defense and preference for a controlled game deserve consideration. The Eagles are coming off a victory and should provide more resistance than an opponent willing to trade possessions without slowing Mountain Empire’s running game.

The RedHawks still have the more productive offense and more ways to create separation.

Robinson forces the defensive commitment. Ross, Mahasin and Bynum can punish it. Avila and the defense should produce enough stops to prevent Southwest from controlling the pace throughout.

Expect the Eagles to put together scoring possessions, but Mountain Empire’s explosive plays should establish a comfortable advantage and keep its share-of-the-title hopes alive…. MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 34, SOUTHWEST-EL CENTRO 17

Knights return with a chance to regain their stride

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAC (0-6, 0-0) at FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN (3-3, 2-0)
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. — Foothills Christian home game
Nonleague

Foothills Christian has had plenty of time to think about its last game. Saturday morning offers an opportunity to move beyond it.

The Knights return from two idle weekends to face Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac of Temecula, with a chance to restore their offensive rhythm before completing their Sunset League schedule.

A 40-0 loss to Lake Mead Christian Academy on Sept. 25 interrupted a three-game winning streak. It did not erase the progress Foothills made during victories over Orange Glen, Hamilton and Tri-City Christian, or change its 2-0 league record.

This assignment offers a favorable opportunity to resume that progress. The Mustangs are winless, have scored just 10 points in four games played and have forfeits listed for their two most recent scheduled contests. Saturday’s matchup remains on the schedule, with Foothills promoting the 10 a.m. home game.

The running game sets direction

The Knights’ most dependable offensive production this season has come on the ground.

David Stewart leads Foothills with 707 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, averaging eight yards per carry in five appearances. Drew Mikulsky has added 270 yards and four touchdowns, giving the Knights another runner capable of sustaining possessions.

Together, they account for much of an attack averaging 196.2 rushing yards per game.

That foundation disappeared against Lake Mead Christian Academy. Mikulsky finished with 32 yards on 15 carries, and Foothills managed just 126 total yards.

Reestablishing consistent gains would make Saturday considerably easier for quarterback Hayden Oleson, who has passed for 529 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Oleson completed nine of 22 passes for 94 yards with an interception in the Knights’ last outing. Liam Dailey caught three passes for 43 yards, Jonah Nottoli added two receptions for 31 yards, and Isaac Maisonet caught four for 20.

Dailey supplies a downfield option with 265 receiving yards and a 22.1-yard average per catch this season. Maisonet leads the Knights with 24 receptions and also demonstrated his return ability against Lake Mead, bringing back five kickoffs for 157 yards, including a 75-yarder.

Foothills would welcome those kinds of field-position advantages while asking its offense to finish more possessions.

An opportunity to take control

The Mustangs’ limited scoring makes protecting the football and forcing sustained drives sensible priorities for Foothills.

Quarterback Ryan Trout has thrown for 272 yards and a touchdown, but also 11 interceptions in four appearances. He has contributed another 170 yards rushing.

Brandon Vera leads the listed rushing production with 194 yards on 23 carries and has added eight receptions for 92 yards. Containing those two would go a long way toward preventing the visitors from establishing an offensive foothold.

The common opponent offers one useful comparison. Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac lost 36-0 to Tri-City Christian; Foothills defeated the Eagles 33-13.

For the Knights, the challenge is turning that apparent advantage into a complete performance after the extended layoff.

Fearless Forecaster

Foothills has already shown it can handle favorable matchups, scoring 41 against Orange Glen and following with victories over Hamilton and Tri-City Christian.

The Knights should have enough strength in their running game to control possession and enough receiving options to create separation. A productive morning would also provide a useful bridge into their final league games against Victory Christian Academy and O’Farrell Charter.

Expect Foothills to regain its scoring touch and return to a winning record.. FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 49, SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAC 7