The Granite Hills High School football team is on track to capture its fourth consecutive Grossmont Hills League championship after defeating the visiting Helix Highlanders, 40-14, last Friday.
The Eagles improved to 2-0 in league play, 5-3 overall. They are perched on top of the five-team league standings. Mt. Miguel follows with a 2-1 league record, 6-3 overall. Steele Canyon is 1-1 in league, 7-1 overall. Helix is 1-2 in league, 3-6 overall. El Capitan is 0-2 in league, 4-4 overall.
Granite Hills has two league games remaining: Friday at El Capitan and Oct. 30 at Steele Canyon.
Nothing is set in stone yet for any of the teams.
Steele Canyon plays at Helix on Friday.
Junior Zac Benitez passed for 287 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Helix. Junior Zhedan Smith (four catches, 67 yards) caught two scoring passes while senior Noah Walker (three catches, 72 yards) and senior D.J. Wilkins (one catch, 43 yards) both hauled in one TD catch.
Additionally, senior Emilio Vera had two catches for 55 yards while senior Tristan Diaz had four catches for 32 yards. Senior Rocket Demery had one catch for 18 yards.
The team’s rushing leader included junior Davion Williams with three carries for 34 yards as the Highlanders held the hosts to 90 total rushing yards in the game.
Granite Hills out-gained Helix 377-219 in total offensive yards.
The Eagles led 14-0 after the opening quarter and 26-7 at halftime.
“The offense had some explosive plays with touchdown passes of 26 yards and 65 yards,” Granite Hills head coach Kellan Cobbs said. “Zac Benitez threw a total of four touchdown passes. We also had an explosive kick-return touchdown from Parker Johnson. The defense created two turnovers with a forced fumble from Parker Johnson and an interception from Jesse Wilhite.
“We’re 2-0 in league and can’t look past El Capitan. They have some weapons on the outside and have some size upfront. Hopefully, if we take care of business it will set up to be a big game against Steele Canyon High School which took Mount Miguel down to the wire. “
Granite Hills defeated Mt. Miguel, 29-16, on Oct. 10.
Senior Jordan Lindley (seven carries, 33 yards) and sophomore Jacob Andrew-Johnson (two catches, 38 yards) each scored one touchdown for the Highlanders (3-6 overall).
Junior Jeremy Davis had one sack for the Scotties.
Junior Donte Wright was the Helix rushing leader with 10 carries for 42 yards while sophomore Jeremy Robinson had five catches for 85 yards.
Senior Lee Norman-Lester passed for 130 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
El Capitan’s leaders include sophomore quarterback Hayden Passanisi with 827 passing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions, sophomore Michael Castillo and senior Brody Copp with three rushing touchdowns each, and senior Logan Dulyea with three receiving touchdowns.
