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Highlanders make moves on Mustangs
- Updated: August 28, 2021
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2021 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
HELIX 29, OTAY RANCH 14
EastCountySports.com staff report
CHULA VISTA — The Helix Highlanders are moving back into the county’s top ten after defeating the Otay Ranch Mustangs, 29-14, in a non-league game played at Eastlake High on Friday night.
The site change was the result of a downed light fixture over the summer, limiting the stadium’s use at Otay Ranch High.
The Highlanders, listed like an also-ran before the season considering their perennial success, are in the midst of a brutal non-league schedule but have come up big in the first two weeks. The reaction by the pollsters would indicate the Scotties were actually underrated to start the season.
It can be duly noted that many of the county’s elite teams are playing up over the first few weeks, while the Scotties’ biggest tests begin next week.
Helix senior Christian Washington rushed 20 times for 231 yards and three TDs, including one for 69 yards. He had 200-plus rushing yards and three TDs for the second week in a row.
Washington had four carries for 67 yards on the opening drive and scored on a 26-yard touchdown run with 8:48 left in the opening quarter.
Otay answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from rapid-firing Brian Rudden to make it 7-all with 3:55 to play in the first quarter.
Helix sophomore quarterback Ryland Jessee threw a touchdown pass to James Johnson from 14 yards out with 1:46 left in the first quarter.
It was starting to look like a shootout.
Washington rushed in for a 5-yard touchdown with 7:18 to play in the first half to give Helix a 21-7 lead.
Rudden, on the first play of the fourth quarter, ran in for a 14-yard touchdown to make it 21-14.
However, it was Washington who turned in another big play with the Highlanders needed it. He busted a 69-yard touchdown run right up the middle of the field, as took a direct snap, with 11:38 left in the game.
A two-pointer gave Helix a 29-14 lead.
Shortly after, Washington had an interception, returning the ball into Mustang territory.
Helix’s offensive line, with seniors Dylan Butler and Mathew Head, along with sophomore Gordon Meredith, Jeremiah Savaiinaea, and Ryan Mason, have helped pave Washington’s way so far this season.
Washington is averaging 216.5 yards per game.
Jessee completed 12-of-16 passes for 165.
Helix’s Xavier Van caught five passes for 95 yards, and teammate Joshua Carroll also had an interception, which came with two minutes left in the first half.
Helix had four sacks.
Sophomores Kairo Kahananui and Travis Ford got to the quarterback for big sacks in the fourth quarter.
Senior Samson Atuatasi and Jordan Gash also got to the quarterback.
Otay Ranch fell to 1-1 despite finishing with 242 yards through the air.
