Scotties beat Hillers but who’s counting?

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 26, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

HELIX 29, GROSSMONT 14

EastCountySports.com staff report

LA MESA – A lot has been made about the rivalry, or lack thereof, between the Helix Highlanders and Grossmont Foothillers.

Because over at Helix, the concern of the Highlanders is championships.

And to be the best, you have to beat the best.

The Helix Highlanders clinched at least a share of the Grossmont Hills League championship by defeating Grossmont, 29-14, at Hart Stadium on Friday night.

The Highlanders defeated the Foothillers for the 26th consecutive meeting, dating back a little over 30 years.

Over the last 36 games the two schools have played in varsity football, Helix has won 33 of the contests with two of them ending in ties.

That leaves one Hiller win over those spoiled Scotties since 1979.

Helix senior Christian Washington, a sure candidate for the county’s Player of the Year honor, landed himself another 200-yard game, scoring three touchdowns to crush the Hillers’ hopes once again.

The Foothillers had prideful optimism coming off a home victory over Granite Hills, a club that won the spring season championship.

But the Highlanders, officially the five-time defending league champions starting the season, still rank as one of the top ten teams in the county at the moment.

Still, the clubs are likely to compete in the same field in the San Diego CIF Division I postseason in two weeks.

Helix could still find itself in the Open Division playoffs come Saturday morning should the Scotties defeat the Eagles and an upset occur between Torrey Pines and host La Costa Canyon.

Meanwhile, the Foothillers face Steele Canyon on Friday night with the winner possibly landing a home game in the first round of the Division I playoffs and the losing team heading out on the road.

Washington rushed for a 42-yard touchdown early in the first quarter to give Helix the lead.

Grossmont had an interception by Ryan Odom to set up a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Brennan Sanders and Grossmont had that feeling again.

Helix took a 10-7 lead on a field goal by Noah Horvath in the second quarter after Odom had a tackle for loss.

Aiden Parker had a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give Helix a 17-7 lead entering the half.

Washingtonh had a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter for a 23-7 advantage with 6:!7 remaining.

Washington added a 35-yard touchdown shortly after for a 29-7 lead.

Xavier Van had two interceptions in the second quarter.

Grossmont’s Aaron Wangler had an interception, as did Odom.

All four interceptions came in the first half.

In the fourth quarter, Grossmont’s Ryan Rodieck scored on a pass from quarterback Trenton Giles. The 15-yard touchdown made for the final margin.

Giles passed for 264 yards, completing 21-of-35 attempts.

Rodieck had a huge night, catching 13 passes for 196 yards.

Grossmont (3-6, 1-1) had minus-9 yards rushing for the game.

However, the Highlanders only outgained the Hillers by 21 yards.

For Helix (5-3, 2-0 Grossmont Valley League), the victory gives the team at least a share of its fifth-straight championship.

Helix shared the title with Steele Canyon and Granite Hills in 2018.

The Highlanders have now won league championships in 13 of the last 15 seasons.

Grossmont last won a league championship in 2005 and hasn’t outlasted Helix for a title since 1991, the last time the Foothillers beat the Scotties.

“We definitely had a shot,” Grossmont head coach Chris Holmes said. “You can’t expect to beat Helix or any other solid and athletic team, for that matter, when you make costly turnovers and miss on opportunities. That was the key to us taking that loss – turnovers and missed opportunities.”