Thunder sounded from the visitor’s bleachers and cheers shook the air as Grossmont’s Foothillers asserted their dominance on Otay Ranch’s football field during the second half of a stunning game against the Mustangs on Sept. 2. From trailing 7-6 at the end of the half, to snatching the W with a 35-21 victory, the 2-0 Foothillers are off to a great start this season.
Thunder sounded from the visitor’s bleachers and cheers shook the air as Grossmont’s Foothillers asserted their dominance on Otay Ranch’s football field during the second half of a stunning game against the Mustangs on Sept. 2. From trailing 7-6 at the end of the half, to snatching the W with a 35-21 victory, the 2-0 Foothillers are off to a great start this season.
“This one was good win,” said Foothillers Head Coach Tom Karlo. “We gave up a touchdown on offense and had three turnovers in the first quarter, but our defense played great and we ended up winning this game in the second half, which is what we’re built for.”
Grossmont opened their season at Morse High School last week, winning 31-12.
Karlo said the Foothillers play in a competitive league with powerhouse schools like Valhalla and Helix, but that these early wins may give some insight into the coming months.
“Our league is tough,” he said. “But this shows us as coaches that we can get ahead like last week (against Morse) and hold on, or we can get behind and come back. It’s hard to bounce back from mistakes, but we were able to bounce back tonight and I think that’s indicative of the season.”
Otay Ranch’s Mustangs were worthy competition, said Karlo, who said he was impressed by the team’s defense.
“But we practice for games like this,” he said. “In the second half, our offensive tempo started to get to them. Our guys just make plays. That’s just high school football. If your guys aren’t making third-down catches and runs, you aren’t going to win.”
It helps that Grossmont has a star-studded starting lineup. Senior wide receiver Domonique Guevara ran in three touchdowns on Friday night and junior cornerback Andrew Lira made two critical interceptions, bringing the team to its decisive victory. Powered by running backs James Mackey and Shevell Sterling Jr., wide receiver Kyle Crews and quarterback Hunter Gaines, and held together by defensive backs Josh Moala and Raymond Perrault, the Foothillers are a force to be reckoned with.
“Our team is getting better and better each week and there’s nothing more you can ask for than that,” said Guevara, who said he played Friday’s game while still recovering from a bout of sickness. “If everybody’s healthy, we can do what we need to do. Our toughest competition is ourselves.”
Lira said he felt good about the match against the Mustangs, despite the rough start.
“We didn’t want to give up any touchdowns, but it was good to get the W in the end,” he said. “If we keep playing our game, I think we have a shot this season.”
Foothillers play a home non-conference game against Sweetwater High School on Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
