Focused Foothillers set sights after disposing Cougars

By Bill Dickens
Updated: October 22, 2016

DOMONIQUE GUEVARA, of GROSSMONT, lines up Friday night. / photo by Chase Karlo

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

GROSSMONT 41, STEELE CANYON 0

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com

RANCHO SAN DIEGO (10-22-16) — Grossmont High is recognized for its high powered offense and the Foothillers figure that will carry them into the East County Grossmont Hills League championship.

However, the Foothillers could easily stub their toes next week in the traditional GHL showdown against the Helix Highlanders in La Mesa.

“I don’t see it happening,” said Grossmont’s 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end BRANDON ARMS, who has helped the Foothillers post two shutouts. “I think our defense is vastly underrated, and our offense speaks for itself.”

Coach TOM KARLO addresses the Foothillers following the win Friday n night over Steele Canyon. / photo courtesy Grossmont Foothillers.

That’s a heavy load to prove for Grossmont, which mowed down Steele Canyon 41-0 on Friday night (Oct. 21).

This, of course, is the annual game for The Musket, the mythical award that has been awarded to the champion of the Grossmont-Helix annual series.

Helix’s 68-16 pounding of Grossmont a year ago stretched the Highlanders’ win streak over the Foothillers to 19 consecutive conquests. The Musket has resided in the Helix library for decades.

One of the secondary standouts, RILEY HAVIRD, intercepted his 3rd pass of the season and logged 4 tackles. Defensive back ANDREW LIRA also picked off a pass and made 3 tackles.

The sturdy Foothillers defense ground up the Cougars all night.

The defensive front of COOPER ZOELLNER (6-foot, 220-pounds), TOMMY MLYNIEC (5-9, 235), ANDREW MINK (6-2, 215) and LUKE MORSE (6-2, 210) are formidable. Zoellner recorded a sack of Cougars quarterback THOMAS FISHBURNE.

“Nobody on our team complains,” said Morse. “We all know our role and nobody complains.”

Wide receiver DOMONIQUE GUEVARA caught 7 passes from Foothillers quarterback HUNTER GAINES for 138 yards.

JAMES MACKEY pulled in a pass for 20 yards and ran one for 33, scoring 2 touchdowns.

JAILEN BAILEY grabbed a couple of scoring passes and rushed for 3 yards, logging 3 TDs.

JOSH MAOLA caught a 20-yard aerial for a touchdown.

CHRISTOPHER GARCIA was 5-for-5 on PATs for the Foothillers.