- Stars win opener at NBC World Series
- ROUND UP: Wolf Pack Take Down Eastlake
- Woodland’s Gem Propels Helix
- Patriots out-slug Vaqs to claim opener
- Rain Doesn’t Stop Wolf Pack
- Gallery: Boys Hoops – Week 10
- Vaqs continue qinning ways In tight contest
- VALLEY: Sultans finish undefeated season
- It takes the Pack to sweep Scotties
- Mujica & Co. keep rolling, win convincingly
- Singer retires again from coaching
- DIII: Southwest Eagles soar to championship
- 2018 EAST COUNTY SOFTBALL Schedule / Scores / Standings
- DV: LIONS ROAR TO CHAMPIONSHIP
- Williams, Vaqueros sweep into D3 final
- D2: After walk-off thrill, Sultans slump
- DII: SULTANS HAVE MADDY, MADDY, MAD POWER IN PLAYOFF WIN
- DIII: Vaqueros end Scotties’ upset run
- CIF OPEN DIVISION: SCRIPPS RANCH ROLLS EAGLES
- OPEN DIVISION: EAGLES RALLY TO STUN COUGARS
East teams bound for improvement
- Updated: August 24, 2024
2024 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
EL CAJON – The first half was close, with Grossmont once leading by a narrow count of 8-7, then Patrick Henry holding a slim 29-28 advantage at Lt. Mitchell Memorial Field.
However, the rest of the game belonged to the Patriots, which led 50-34 entering the final minute of the first half.
The Patriots’ 77 points was four points short of the CIFSDS record of 81, set in 2020 by Santa Fe Christian against Orange Glen.
Grossmont has now allowed a school-record number of points in two straight contests.
The Hillers allowed 73 points in last season’s CIFSDS playoff setback in the division title game to La Jolla Country Day, 73-34, at DeVore Stadium at Southwestern College.
It still was a strong performance for the Grossmont High offense.
Senior starting quarterback Tommy Donovan passed for 442 yards and six touchdowns.
Receiver Noah Walker had 15 receptions for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
Receiver Parker Vanderburgh had eight receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
But when Monte Vista met the Scots in Friday’s (Aug.23) opener held at El Centro-Southwest High Stadium, the Monarchs were in for a surprise.
The Scots were completely transformed from a passing unit to a stellar ground game, keeping possession of the ball all night to secure a 21-0 shutout victory.
A series of Monte Vista mistakes, aided the victory for VMCHS (1-0) after scoring all of their points in the opening half.
Included was a fumbled center snap, which was recovered by Scots lineback Juan Carlos Saenz for a quick 7-0 advantage.
Scots senior running back Robert Carranza later rushed for a pair of scores to mound the 21-point cushion.
The Monarchs deficit could’ve been greater as VMCHS took the opening drive and marched 79 yards on nine plays (all rushes) to the 1-yard line.
However, the Scots first pass attempt — by a quarterback playing in his first-ever high school contest — was intercepted.
At the intermission, although Monte Vista made the necessary adjustments to post a second-half shutout the rest of the way, the Scots continued to dominate on defense against a youthful Monarchs offense.
Rahshawn Florence had an interception early in the game for Monte Vista.
The TDs by Carranza covered 7 and 11 yards, including the second score on the first play after another MCHS fumble in their own red zone.
Vincent Memorial now leads the all-time series 2-0, also winning last season in Spring Valley, 29-13.
EL CAJON – At Priest Field, the visiting Crawford Colts ruined the debut of first-year El Cajon Valley head coach James Simon in posting a 31-0 non-league victory on Friday (Aug. 23).
A balanced Colts offensive attack out-gained ECVHS, 239-116, to take a 28-0 lead, before adding a late 35-yard field goal
Colts senior quarterback Philip Huynh completed 8-of-15 passes for 146 yarda and 2 TDs.
Braves senior running back Quincy Morgan had 45 yards on 16 carries.
A bright spot for the Braves were a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery.
El Cajon Valley’s defense was led by linebacker Fabian Carmona, who posted an impressive 15 tackles along with 9 assists to lead both squads.
In a historical note, ECVHS captured the first meeting between the schools, winning in a CIF playoff game, 28-27, in 1997. The Braves also lead the series, 4-3, but the Colts have won the last three, including two by shutout.
RANCHO SAN DIEGO – In the first-ever meeting between the schools, the Classical Academy Caimans of Escondido blanked the host Valhalla Norsemen.
Caimans back Justus Smith scored twice on 22-for-79 rushing, then caught four balls for another 56 yards and a third score.
On defense, sophomore linebacker Daine Gonzalez led with 8 stops for the visitors.
For Valhalla (0-1), Ahmed Husaini paced the Norsemen with a game-best 11 tackles, while Lorenzo Matos added 9 stops. Both are junior linebackers.
CAMPO — In a contest which saw all of the points scored in the fourth period, Mountain Empire stopped Hamtilon High (Anza, Calif.) from converting a 2-point conversion, the difference in the RedHawks’ 8-6 season-opening victory over the visiting Bobcats.
Hamilton’s Joey Rayas, a junior, rushed for 101 yards, but Seth Heredia scored the touchdown. But when the ball went to Rayas in an attempt to force overtime, Mountain Empire made the game-saving stop.
Rayas, a two-way performer, also led Hamilton with 10 tackles, including a sack.
Isaac Gonzalez scored the RedHawks’ touchdown on a 21-yard yard run with under seven minutes to play in the contest.