Week 1 Roundup: Patriots win on road

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: August 27, 2024

Photo, courtesy of The Valley News of Temecula

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
Week 1 Roundup

ECS staff report

Christian 22, at Temecula-Linfield Christian 21

TEMECULA – The Christian Patriots scored in the second half to edge host Linfield Christian, 22-21, in Saturday’s (Aug. 24) season opener.

The Patriots threw touchdown passes of 42 and 23 yards, but a late 4-yard TD rush up the middle, plus the 2-PAT conversion to take a nine-point lead was the difference.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS can be found near the bottom of the page.

Vincent Memorial Catholic 21, Monte Vista 0

EL CENTRO – Vincent Memorial Catholic, the defending CIF-San Diego Section champions in Division 5-AA, raced to the crown with a three-year, record-setting quarterback.

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.

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Included was a fumbled center snap, which was recovered by Scots linebacker Juan Carlos Saenz for a quick 7-0 advanatage,

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 (sll 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.

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.

MORE: from The Calexico Chronicle.

Imperial 28, West Hills 6

IMPERIAL- Running back J.J. Jimenez rushed for a 2-yard touchdown just five minutes into Friday’s (Aug. 23) season-opening contest, as the Imperial Tigers led from start-to-finish in a 28-6 conquest of the West Hills Wolf Pack at Tigers Stadium.

Near the conclusion of the first half, Imperial quarterback Jayden Ayala tossed a 2-yard TD pass, then frst a 6-yard TD strike near the end of the third period for a 21-0 advantage.

Moments later, following a West Hills turnover, Jayden Ayala, who caught the second Jimenez TD pass, fired one of his own on a flea-flicker. The 70-yard bomb went Deren Hueso to push the margin to 28 points.

The lone score for West Hills (0-1) came on a 2-yard rush against the Tigers reserves in the final minutes to avoid the shutout.

However, Tigers kick returner Beau Zinn took the ensuing kickoff 59 yards into Wolf Pack territory before the Imperial team ran out the clock.

The all-time series is now level at 3-3, with the home team winning each time, including a 2018 playoff game in the Imperial Valley.

Crawford 21, El Cajon Valley 0

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 21-0 non-league victory on Friday (Aug. 23).

A balances 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 gaiened 45 yards on 16 carries.

A bright spot for the Braves were a pair of interceptions and a fumble recover (names not available at press time).

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 meetring between the schools, winning in a CIF playoiff game, 28-27, in 1997. The Braves also lead the series, 4-3, but the Colts have won the last three, incuding two by shutout.

Mountain Empire 8, Anza-Hamilton 6

CAMPO — In a contest which saw all of the points scored in the fourth period,Mountain Empire halt Hamilton High (Anza, Calif.) from converting a 2-point conversion, the difference in the RedHawks’ 8-6 season-opening victory over the visiting Bobats.

Hamilton’s Joey Rayas rushed for 101 tards, but Seth Heredia scotred 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.

Patrick Henry 77, Grossmont 48

FLETCHER HILLS – 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 oints in last season CIFSDS playoff setback in the division title game to La Jolla Country Fay, 73-34, at DeVore Stadium at Southwestern College.