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McElli-GOD is McElli-GOOD for 3-0 Eagles
- Updated: September 8, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
GRANITE HILLS 17, WESTVIEW 14 (2 OT)
EastCountySports.com staff report
SAN DIEGO – JUSTIN MCELLIGOT was Justin McElli-GOOD for the Granite Hills Eagles on Friday night.
McElligot, a senior place-kicker, gave Granite its third-straight win to open the 2018 season by booting a 23-yard field goal from the tough right hash in the second overtime, as the Eagles got past Westview in a game that was scoreless midway through the fourth.
That’s when junior ETHAN BISHOP made another big-impact play by catching a deflection by teammate BAILEY CHRISTIAN and racing 53 yards the other way for the game’s first coveted score.
“Because of the situation we were in and the film we analyzed early this week I knew the play was coming,” Bishop said. “When Bailey Christian tipped the ball and I caught it, all I was thinking is score, score, score.
“When I got to the end zone, we immediately knew we were in a good position, but the job wasn’t done yet, we still had business to take care of.”
And the way Granite’s defense was playing, it might’ve figured to be enough.
However, the Wolverines tied the game three minutes later with a penalty-aided drive.
Granite Hills senior quarterback CRIS OSTRENG scored on a 1-yard run to open the first OT, as the Eagles needed only the short field to finally get into the end zone. ETHAN RAYMOND had gotten the Eagles down to the 1 with a 34-yard run.
However, Westview countered the seven with a 32-yard completion and conversion.
The Eagles forced a pair of incompletions to stop Westview in the second extra period, then DYLAN RUTTER caught an 11-yard completion from Ostreng on fourth down to extend the game-winning series.
The Eagles’ defense made plays all night and kept Granite Hills in the game after the penalty-plagued Eagles committed six turnovers.
“Our defense was outstanding tonight,” Granite Hills coach KELLEN COBBS said. “Six turnovers and we found a way to win. Great win. This team battles.”
But not for the effort of defenders NOAH ESPINOZA, NOAH MEDEIROS, JUWAN DENNIS, JACK SIEGFRIED, BRIAN SMITH, MICHAEL SHELLENBERGER, TREVOR DAY, RILEY KAY and JACOB HENNESSEY, who helped pitch a shutout for nearly 45 minutes, Granite Hills might’ve been left without a win for their extraordinary effort.
“I think our linebackers played a great game,” Christian said. “They made tons of tackles and a couple of sacks. I also think that my twin brother, BRYCE CHRISTIAN, stepped up at the other corner tonight making some key open field tackles and providing great coverage.”
The Eagles host Hilltop for Homecoming next Friday night.
“We are going to play Hilltop as if they were a 4-0 team,” Bishop said. “We play some smash mouth football and are look to get another win to add to our record.”
Check out the Vaqueros’ TAYLOR MACKIN with highlights from the win…
