Eagles crush Cougars once again

Granite Hills 39, Steele Canyon 0

Jennifer Long – Also is a co-owner of CheerForce

EL CAJON – The loudest cheer of the second half while Granite Hills white-washing visiting Steele Canyon, 39-0, did not go to the Eagles football team.

Instead, the top ovation went to Jennifer Long, who made it publicly known she was hanging up her pom-poms.

For the past quarter-century, starting in the 2000 campaign, Long worked as an advisor and head coach for the Granite Hills cheerleading squad.

Meanwhile, the Eagles’ homecoming victory was their largest-ever over the Cougars, topping the 34-0 count from 2022. Thus, GHHS has out-scored Steele, 118-7, over the past three seasons, a series known for its tightly-contested nature.

This shutout was secured by some fine defensive stops by defensive end Christian Almazan and strong safety Logan Vance, plus a third down sack by Haval Haji to force a punt in the fourth period.

For the contest, the leading tacklers were free safety Trevor Smith and tackle Hunter Hamilton.

On offense, the Eagles must’ve noticed the waffle truck parked nearby for the homecoming contest.

In Gallo-Romance language, the word for the morning meal — originally known as to break one’s (day) fast” — was taken literally bu the Eagles. Granite Hills grabbed a quick 14-0 lead, then added 25 points in the second quarter to end this Grossmont Hills League opener quickly.

Moments after Steele Canyon recieved a 15-yard penalty for ahit out-of-bounds to move the ball into Cugars territory, Eagles running back Max Turner broke three tackles up the middle and raced 38 for a tochdown just 72 seconds into the contest, capping an 80-yard drive.

The ensuing Eagles drive marched 92 yards.

The final three plays daw Turner bounce outside for 8 yards, sophomore quarterback Zac Benitez found a wide open birthday boy Trenton Ingram on the left sideline for 70 yards, then a swing pass to the right side was grabbed by Nathan Fry to cover the final seven yards.

The second period became even more one-sided. All of the scoring came after the Cougars missed a 24-yard field goal after earning a 1st-and-goal at the Eagles-7.?

On the first play following the wide-left boot, Brenden Lewis hauled in a 63 yard pass to the right side. The lay set up a 2-yard Benitez TD pass to Turner from 2 yards out for M.T.’s 17th touchdown of the season and a 20-0 lead.

An Eagles’ 52-yard drive was set up when Brayden Wells caused a fumble, recovered by Jerzel Ramirez. Benitez later found Lewis from the Cougars-8 an d a 26-0 cushion in the closing seconds of the first half.

Following the intermission — Maggie Gorence and Linkin Glaze were named the Queen and King for homecoming — Luis Huertas raced 24 yards for a “Pick 6” intereption and a 32-0 lead.

Turner then climbed over the 100-yard barrier by accepting a pitch from Benitez and racing 54 yards for the touchdown.

Granite Hills (5-1 overall, 1-0 GHL) next hosts Cathedral Catholic in a showdown battle that could determine which side advances to the CIF San Diego Section Open Division playoffs.

Steele Canyon (5-4, 0-1 GHL) again hits the road with a game at Grossmont next week after suffering its second consecutive shutout loss at Valley Stadium (34-0 in 2022).

— Compiled by Nick Pellegrino