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No. 1 Highlanders stomp Oaks Christian
- Updated: September 28, 2019
Captains at midfield on Friday night at Jim Arnaiz Field. / photo by Larry Montalbano
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
HELIX 42, OAKS CHRISTIAN 17
EastCountySports.com staff report
LA MESA — Former Helix great EZEKIEL NOA saw both of his younger brothers play for the Highlanders on Friday night.
Noa, currently linebacker with the Boise State Broncos, saw his sophomore season come to an end last Saturday when he suffered a torn ACL and broken wrist in a game against the Air Force Academy, a contest in which the rising defensive star had already posted a career-high 10 tackles
Despite the career setback, he was able to have the time to enjoy the performance from the sideline of his senior brother, ELELYON “FATTO” NOA, who rushed for 276 yards and four touchdowns in top-ranked Helix’s 42-17 win over Southern Section visitor Oaks Christian at Hart Stadium, which moved the Highlanders to 4-1.
Noa rushed for a 58-yard touchdown on the first play of the game.
Helix during a time out on Friday. / photo by Larry Montalbano
The captain added a 5-yard score just half-a-period later, capping a 66-yard drive.
Helix recovered an OC fumble late in the first quarter, which led to 70-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 7-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver TIM CHRISTOPHER from senior quarterback KAMRYN BROWN just three minutes into the second period.
Just past midway through the second quarter, Helix senior KEIONTE SCOTT intercepted a pass at the Highlander 20.
On the next play, Noa found an opening and showed his under-appreciated speed to out-race a member of the Lions’ secondary to the end zone, giving the Scotties a 28-0 lead.
Oaks Christian (2-4) got on the scoreboard in the final minute of the first quarter on a 1-yard score by Ty Ely to cap a 72-yard march that took a little under three minutes.
Helix scored on its first possession of the second half after forcing a turnover on downs.
The Highlanders went 61 yards, capped by a 3-yard score from Noa midway through the third quarter, extending the lead to 35-7.
The Lions added a field goal with a minute to play in the third.
Brown hit Scott on a 25-yard touchdown completion with nine minutes to go in the game.
Oaks Christian quarterback Jameson Wang had an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Calvert as a couple of the Lions’ stars finally struck with four minutes left in the game.
This OC team may not rate as recent others. Despite the obviously difficult schedule, the Lions entered the game ranked “just” 48th in the state, compared to the Scotties’ current No. 13 state-rank.
Brown completed 11 of 14 attempts for 124 yards.
Helix senior DELSHAWN TRAYLOR also hooked up with Noa on a long pass play early in the fourth quarter.
Brown and Christopher connected on a big play on Helix’s second scoring drive of the game.
Noa now has 5,765 career rushing yards, good for fifth all-time in the section. Next on the list is recent Monte Vista graduate Jahmon McClendon at 6,686.
And for future measure, freshman EZRIEL “PUKA” NOA got into the game, as well, surely to the delight of “Zeke” Noa.
Helix (4-1) will host El Capitan (0-5) on Homecoming next Friday.
