Foothillers floor it early against Vaqueros

By Bill Dickens
Updated: October 8, 2016

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

GROSSMONT 37, EL CAPITAN 0

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (10-8-16) — Grossmont quarterback HUNTER GAINES kept the Foothillers on pace for a showdown in the Grossmont Hills League by connecting on an early pair of touchdown aerials to DOMINIQUE GUEVARA, as Grossmont vanquished the Vaqueros 37-0 in Friday night’s (Oct. 7) league opener for both teams.

Guevara scored first on a 31-yard pass in the first quarter, then a 6-yard strike, both in the first quarter, to stake the hosts to a 14-0 lead.

Led by Grossmont’s strong-armed defense the Foothillers remained undefeated at 6-0, 1-0 GHL.

Gaines delivered an 18-yard scoring pass to ZACH JONES in the second quarter, as Jones shook off a big hit near the goal line before tumbling into the end zone.

A ball hiked over the punter’s head gave Grossmont a safety in the first quarter.

Defensive standout CHRISTOPHER LAETHEM recovered a fumble in the end zone to extend the Grossmont advantage to 37-0.

CHRISTOPHER GARCIA delivered 5 for 5 PATs for the Foothillers.

The Vaqueros, having lost PHOENIX CATES to a broken leg, rely on ANTONIO OLIVIERI to run the offense. YAPHET YOKLEY and freshman WICK HAUSER also took a turn at quarterback. Hauser completed 10 of 26 passes for 228 yards.

ANDREW MINK had a fumble recovery for the Foothillers after teammate JULIAN SANDERLIN forced the fumble from the El Capitan QB, which set up Gaines’ 6-yard TD to Guevara to make the score 14-0.

JONNATHAN SALAZAR had a first-quarter fumble recovery for Grossmont, which had four recoveries as a team.

JAVIER VIDALEZ had an interception from a deflection off the intended receiver and 26-yard return in the first quarter for El Capitan.

Gaines also threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open ZAK FARRIS in the end zone in the second quarter to make it 23-0. Gaines finished with 193 yards through the air, but had three INTs on the night.

Juniors JAILEN BAILEY and JOSH MOALA both had three receptions for the Hillers.

BRANDON ARMS had seven tackles, including five solo and three for loss for Grossmont, while RILEY HAVIRD and GABRIEL SCHAUER both recorded an interception for the Foothillers.

Grossmont will host Valhalla in a huge league matchup next Friday night, while the Vaqueros will host Helix.