Eagles’ stand tall against Lancers for ailing friend

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 10, 2015

By Ramon Scott

© East County Sports.com

CHULA VISTA – Granite Hills High senior RILEY REYES played in honor of a special friend on Friday night, as the Eagles improved to 5-1, taking care of host Hilltop in workman-like fashion, 28-14.

Reyes wore the No. 88 jersey of his pal, JASON LYON, a Christian High senior who is currently battling an inoperable brain tumor. However, Reyes didn’t just switch from his usual No. 13 Eagles jersey to the different number. The San Diego Section CIF actually gave the Eagles’ star permission to wear Lyon’s Christian High jersey in game play.

Reyes already stands out from the crowd from many of his Granite Hills teammates because of his big-play ability, but several other Eagles got the chance to shine on Friday night.

Granite Hills junior KOLLIN MENZIE scored the Eagles first two touchdowns, including a 6-yard touchdown run to the right side behind the pulling left-side tandem of ANGELO SANDERS, VICTOR GARCIA to give the Eagles a 14-0 first-quarter lead.

Sophomore quarterback JACOB SIEGFRIED kept up his running pace, capping a scoring drive with a 6-yard keeper to the right corner of the end zone, as recievers RYAN ROJ and GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ held their blocks before right tackle GARRET CURREN pummeled the last defender out of the way at the goal, giving Granite a 21-0 lead.

Siegfried later cashed in on another sneak from 3 yards out, burying behind center KALVIN SANDERS and guard ALEX JONES to put the Eagles ahead 28-7.

Junior quarterback Alex Tejeda, who entered the game with nearly 600 yards on the season, had a TD pass for Hilltop (2-4) in the second quarter, otherwise, the Eagles would have pitched the shuout.

Leading the ‘D’ for Granite were JACOB BURTON, AHMAD JONES, MASHAL WASIMI, NOAH JOUBERT, CAMERON ROJAS, KELLEN GAEIR, ELYJAH PALOMERA, and JJ GAEIR.

“Our defense carried us again,” admitted Eagles coach KELLEN COBBS. “We blocked one punt and forced a shank on another.”

Burton logged 6 tackles for loss.

Reyes caught four passes for 79 yards.