Foothillers outlast game Monarchs

SPRING VALLEY — On a night when the scoreboard operator was busier than the game referees, Grossmont High quarterback Hudson Herber passed for five touchdowns, and every one of them was needed to finally subdue host Monte Vista, 46-34, in Friday’s (Sept. 22) non-league contest at Monarchs Stadium.

Included was a series of three TDs between the teams over the final 2:47 of the first half, which proved to be the difference.

With 2:47 left in the first half, Herbert, the Hillers senior quarterback, found receiver Cody Bigley crossing the field to the left sideline on a 19-yard TD strike.

Grossmont’s third consecutive 2-point conversion made it 24-7.

However, the Monarchs’ offense crossed up the Grossmont defense.

After running the ball on each previous play on a 17-play drive for a score, Monte Vista southpaw quarterback Alex Villanueva found Brayden Andrus wide open in the end zone from 29 yards out to trim the deficit to 24-14. The fourth-down play came with 17 seconds left.

However, that was enough time for one final play following the ensuing kickoff, as junior Thomas Donovan threw cross-field — but to the right side — for a 72-yard bomb to Bigley against man-to-man coverage and a 30-14 lead at the break.

Monte Vista would stay within a score in the second half on a TD pass by Villanueva and an 8-yard rush by Jaidyn Ellison, but the lead remained in double figures since the Hillers always went for 2-point PATs.

Herberr finished with 256 passing yards, including a late TD strike to Noah Walker of 18 yards.

Bigley was on the receiving end of three scoring tosses, as he finished with six catches for 193 yards.

Grossmont (2-3) scored on a 61-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

Ellison rushed for 210 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns for Monte Vista (1-5).

Ellison had a 1-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to cap a 16-play, 78-yard drive to draw Monte Vista to within 8-7, but the Foothillers answered with a 26-yard pass to cap a 74-yard march to make it 16-7.

Walker had five receptions for Grossmont.

Grossmont forced three turnovers on fumbles.

Seniors Zandy Vasilou and Anthony Landeros both forced and recovered a fumble for the Hillers.