‘Turner Classic’ lifts Granite into GHL lead

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: October 18, 2024

Max Turner carries for Granite Hills. / Vic Marano

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

SPRING VALLEY — In a performance more worthy than his usual celebratory, post-game back flip, Granite Hills senior running back Max Turner established three major career school records Friday (Oct. 18, allowing the Eagles to out-last host Mount Miguel, 45-30, in the battle for the Grossmont Hills League lead at Matador Stadium.

Turner, who rushed for more than 200 yards and accounted for four touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 receiving), set school career marks for rushing yardage, all-purpose yardage and touchdowns.

Many of “Turner’s classic” scores were set up by the dominant special teams unit of Granite Hills, which proved to be the key difference to break the teams’ deadlock between the two remaining undefeated schools in GHL action.

There was also two gaol-line stands by the Eagles defense, including a stop in the third quarter to prevent Mount Miguel from tying the contest.

First Half

Mount Miguel kicked a 22-yard field goal, set up on a brilliant 345-yard diving reception by Ezelle Buchanan/

Granite Hills responded with three straight touchdowns, all comingin the second period.

On the second quarter, Brenden Lewis hauled in a 17-yard TD pass from Zac Benitez for a 7-3 lead.

Special teams did made its mark for Granite Hill as Lewis returned a Matadors punt 38 yards to near midfield.

Although the Eagles punted, Lewis (also the punter) landed the ball to the Matadors’ 8. Lewis would do even better in the second half.

Mount Miguel again punted, so Turner carried the ball four times, including a 32-yard gallop of the middle, then bouncing outside for a 14-3 lead.

Granite Hills then squibbed the kickoff, with Jayden Proctor recovering. Turner capped the short drive with a 6-yard rushfor a 21-3 cushion with 1:07 remaining.

Howeverm the Natadors had enough time ro answer when speedster Brandon Arrington collected a 32-yard TD pass with 31 seconds left for a 21-10 score at intermission

Second Half

Granite Hills placekicker Trent Whillock booted a 44-yard field goal just 90 seconds after the break for a 24-10 lead.

Then the ballclubs played ping-pong for almost the balance of the contest.

The Matadors moved to within seven points on a 22-yard pass to Arrington.

When Mount Miguel got the ball back, they marched to the Eagles-1, but a goal line stand prevented the equalizer.

Four tries from inside the GH-5, including the last two plays from the GH-1, were stopped by run-blitzing safety Trevor Smith on third down, then lineman Jonathan DeLeon on fourth down.

Turner answered with a 27-yard rush, but the drive stalled. However, Lewis sent another punt to the coffin corner and out-of-bounds at the Matadors’ 8.

The battle of field position proved cretical. After a Matadors punt to midfield, Turner answered with another rushing TD, going 50 yard, goingup the middle and bouncing to the left side untouched.

Mount Miguel quartreback A.J. Stowers, a left-handed junior, would later find Arrington on a 67-yard TD strike coming off a short pass to the right flat.

However, every time Arrington was targeted on the bomb (at least four times), Granite Hills had the deep threat covered.

Turner later added a 9-yard TD bust, as the Eagles pulled away in the closing minutes. LATE ADD: One of Turner’s long TD runs was through a hole created by right tackle Jeremiah Maze.

Summary

EAGLES 45, MATADORS 30
Granite Hills (6-2, 2-0)... 0 21 3 21 - 45
Mount Miguel (6-2, 2-1).... 3  7 7 13 - 30

Notes

“Touchdown Tommy” Vardell with Cleveland Browns (circa early 1990s) / Courtesy, Baltimore Ravens

Although Granite Hills did not offer what were the previous records, it is believed that many belonged to “Touchdown Tommy” Vardell (Class of ’87).

At Granite Hills, Vardell was also the CIFSDS light-heavyweight wrestling champion, then accepted a football scholarship with Stanford, rushing for more than 1,000 yards.

Vardell later became a first-round draft pick (9th overall) for the original Cleveland Browns (now Baltimore Ravens), where he played four seasons before closing his professional career with the San Francisco 49ers (two stints) and Detroit Lions.

Vardell’s Stanford stats: / NFL stats:

The Series

The ballgame was the fourth-highest scorinhg meeting between the teams.

The highest contest won by the Eagles occurred in in thr 1966 season finale, 53-26, at Mount Miguel.

However, the two highest-scoring games were captured by the Matadors: 49-35 (84 points) in 2008, and 47-35 (82 points) in 1984.

For the con trary thinkings, there was also a scoreless draw in 1980.

Mount Miguel leads the all-time series, 27-25-1, dating back to the opening of Graniote Hills in 1960. The sides met twice that intials year, with MMHS winning twqice. Otherwise, the series is tied since the intial GHHS campaign.

The