ROUNDUP: Matadors, Christian both win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 11, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

WEEK 8

No. 8 MOUNT MIGUEL 48, at No. 17 HELIX 28

The Matadors won a key showdown and showed who’s boss in the La Mesa-Spring Valley instantly renewed rivalry.

The Highlanders had long dominated the series but the Matadors have initiated a power shift in the area’s football scales with their first win over the Highlanders since 2009, reclaiming the Claymore Sword trophy.

Parris Vernon caught a pass in the second quarter to get the Matadors down to the 1-yard line. The Matadors then scored on a short rushing touchdown after that and took a 7-0 lead.

Helix scored on a 31-yard option pass from the running back, Pablo Jackson, to Harlem Harris downfield for a score. Helix ran in the conversion for an 8-7 lead with 9:01 left in the first quarter.

Brandon Arrington returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown as Mount Miguel regained the lead, 14-8.

Mount Miguel scored on a 33-yard interception return on a pass that appeared to be deflected or altered as Dominic Lopez got the pick-six score to make it 21-8 with 7:18 to go before halftime.

Helix scored on a quarterback sneak to draw to within one score with 5:50 left in the first half, making it 21-15.

Mount Miguel scored on a touchdown pass of 11 yards by A.J. Logan to Williams as the Matadors extended the lead to 28-15.

The Matadors opened the scoring in the third quarter with a short rushing touchdown to make it 35-15 with 8:33 left in the third quarter.

Helix bounced back with a rushing touchdown from Jackson to draw the score to within 35-22 with 5:11 left in the third quarter.

The Matadors got an 11-yard touchdown run from Jayden Hunter, a sophomore, for a 42-22 lead.

Jackson added a 27-yard touchdown run for Helix on the first play of the fourth quarter as Helix still had life at 42-28.

Mount Miguel scored another touchdown to go ahead 48-28.

Helix popped a big gain on a pass to Jeremy Davis on the first drive of the game to cross midfield but Mount Miguel got an interception from Delontay Williams, a sophomore, to terminate the short drive and the Matadors had their first start at their own 43.

Following a Matador punt, Helix started its second drive at its own 6. Helix was forced to punt, but the Matadors muffed the catch, Helix recovered at its own 45.

Mount Miguel will host Granite Hills next Friday in the likely championship game of the Grossmont Hills League.

at CHRISTIAN 27, PATRICK HENRY 7 — In the City League big game, Patrick Henry (1-1, 5-3) and Christian (2-0, 5-2) were scoreless at the end of the first quarter.

Christian scored a touchdown with 9:11 left in the second quarter on a run by Brady Eads.

Christian scored a touchdown on a pass to Kai Rosier.

Christian High’s Hayden Jeremiah had an interception return for a touchdown from 39 yards to extend the lead in the third after CHS led 14-7 at halftime.

Christian extended the lead on a touchdown connection from Kaleb Runkle to Jake Marsh for a 27-7 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.

When Patrick Henry got inside the five late in the third quarter, Christian High turned them away with a turnover on downs.

Christian High also stopped Patrick Henry with Rosier forced a fumble and Max Turvey recovery.

MONTE VISTA 42, WEST HILLS 21 — The Monarchs upset the Wolf Pack to put themselves back in the Grossmont Valley League title chase.

The Wolf Pack took the early lead on a rushing touchdown just past the midway point of the first quarter.

Monte Vista answered with a touchdown to pull to within 7-6 in the second quarter on a rushing touchdown just over two minutes into the second quarter.

Monte Vista took the lead on a rushing touchdown in the second quarter as they returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Monte Vista took a 20-7 lead with a touchdown via a pass play with under five minutes left in the first half.

West Hills answered right back to make it 20-14 on a rushing score with under four minutes to go before halftime.

West Hills took the lead on a rushing touchdown with under eight minutes to play in the third quarter and were ahead, 21-20.

Monte Vista regained the lead moments later on a rushing touchdown and ran in a two-point conversion for a 28-21 lead.

Monte Vista went ahead 35-21 with a second touchdown in the third quarter on a pass completion with under four minutes to play in the period.

The Monarchs extended the lead to 42-21 with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Ron Hamamoto now sits all alone in fourth place all-time in section wins with 239.

Rahshawn Florence caught had a 52-yard touchdown reception and a 29-yard touchdown reception.

Monte Vista (3-4. 1-1) got a strong effort from Alex Villanueva, who gained 117 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Lakai Dean had a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown for Monte Vista.

West Hills (3-4, 1-1) got a great game from Junior Leon, who rushed four times for 121 yards and two touchdowns, including a 90-yard scoring run. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Anthony Rosolino caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Joe Hamilton for a West Hills score.

Junior Nunez had a sack for West Hills.

EL CAPITAN 42, at VALHALLA 0 — El Capitan left no doubt they are the favorites in the Valley League by turning away any challenge from host Valhalla, which initiated their title bid with a home upset of Santana last week.

El Capitan (4-3, 2-0) got a crucial game from Braiden Linder, who had five receptions for 78 yards, including a 22-yard scoring play.

Brady Joralemon rushed for 80 yards including a 38-yard touchdown connection that gave El Capitan a three-score lead.

The Vaqueros scored on a rushing touchdown in the first quarter on a long run.

El Capitan extended the lead on a 52-yard touchdown pass by Brandt Barker to Michael Valencia.

Barker was 16 for 20, throwing for 249 yards and four scores.

Brady Copp scored on a 25-yard scoring pass from Barker.

at SANTANA 41, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 — The Sultans led 27-0 at halftime. Santana scored again in the third quarter for a 34-0 lead.

Santana had a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Hallman had three touchdowns, including the kickoff return.

Noah Qualin had a touchdown for the Sultans.

Xander Bennett also scored a touchdown for Santana.

Wyatt Williams scored a touchdown for the Sultans

at GROSSMONT 60, STEELE CANYON 47 — Grossmont defeated Steele Canyon as Tommy Donovan passed for seven touchdowns and over 500 yards.

Grossmont (4-3, 1-1) also had a career performance from receiver Amari Riley, who caught a dozen passes for just over 200 yards and a pair of scores.

Noah Walker hauled in 11 receptions and added a pair of touchdowns for the Foothillers.

Parker Vanderburgh caught a half-dozen passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

Grossmont’s Andrew Montano had eight tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

No. 2 CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 52, at No. 3 GRANITE HILLS 6 — The Eagles struck first with a 44-yard field goal with 5:15 left in the first quarter.

The Dons took the lead with a touchdown later in the first quarter, then extended the lead with a touchdown in the second quarter.

The Dons scored a third touchdown on another touchdown pass by Brady Palmer as the Dons led 21-3 with 7:14 left in the first half.

The Dons were able to make it 28-3 with a second-quarter touchdown run of 15 yards by Palmer.

The Dons tacked on a fifth touchdown in the first half on an interception return of 43 yards by Dons star Honor Faalave, a sophomore.

The Dons extended the lead to 42-6 before halftime with yet another touchdown as the Eagles were getting trounced.

The Dons booted a field goal with three minutes and change left in the third quarter for a 45-6 lead.

The Dons had another score in the fourth quarter to take a 51-6 lead.

TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 27, at MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 0 — Tri-City Christian led 7-0 in the first quarter, then added another touchdown in the first. Tri-City led 27-0 in the second quarter.