Steele Canyon traveled west along the 94 to La Mesa last Friday to kick off Grossmont Hills League play against Helix High School. Helix’s band energized the home crowd with their pre-game interpretation of Iggy Azalea’s pop hit “Fancy,” and the Highlanders (5-1, 1-0 league) translated the tempo to the gridiron by handing the Cougars (5-1, 0-1 league) its first loss of the season, 41-0.
Steele Canyon traveled west along the 94 to La Mesa last Friday to kick off Grossmont Hills League play against Helix High School. Helix’s band energized the home crowd with their pre-game interpretation of Iggy Azalea’s pop hit “Fancy,” and the Highlanders (5-1, 1-0 league) translated the tempo to the gridiron by handing the Cougars (5-1, 0-1 league) its first loss of the season, 41-0.
Helix’s victory coincided with Teacher Appreciation Night. Before the game, players escorted their instructors onto the field. Junior quarterback Michael Austin said the Highlanders were proud to recognize the staff that helps them find success off the field.
“We do it to show appreciation to the people who make it possible for us to play on Friday nights,” he said. “It felt great to be able to get a big win for our teachers.”
Down 20-0 at halftime, Steele Canyon came out of the locker rooms and marched down to Helix’s 26-yard line on the first drive of the second half. Sophomore linebacker Ezekiel Noa, however, sacked Cougar quarterback Dominick Wood-Anderson and stalled the drive. After Steele Canyon failed to move the ball on second and third downs, it faced fourth-and-17.
Desperate to put points on the board, the Cougars lined up for a 50-yard field goal but motioned to a five-wide set, shifting wide receiver/backup quarterback Joseph Califano behind the center. He could do nothing but watch as the tipped pass to tight end Dylan Hamlet fluttered into the waiting hands of Noa.
Noa, who had an interception nullified by a penalty in the second quarter, returned the ball 76-yards for a touchdown and a 27-0 Highlander lead. He said Helix has been preparing for the league opener all season.
“It feels great to show what we have done because we’ve worked too hard for this moment,” he said. “And it shows on the field.”
Steele Canyon struggled to slow down the Highlanders’ high-flying offense. Austin ended the first drive of the game with a 22-yard touchdown pass to receiver DaShawn Kiersey and scrambled 66 yards for another touchdown in the third quarter. Helix running back Nathan Stinson ran for two touchdowns, including a 92-yard scamper in the second quarter.
Highlander offensive lineman Derek Williams said the line does not take the team’s speed for granted.
“You have to hold your block as long as you can,” he said. “Once you see him break you can kind of stop blocking but the play’s never done until you hear the whistle.”
Helix’s defense was just as dominant as the offense, allowing the Cougars to cross the 50-yard line just four times in the shutout. Since its heart-breaking 9-7 loss at Cathedral Catholic, Helix has defeated Ramona, Bonita Vista and Steele Canyon by a combined score of 125-0.
Steele Canyon will look to rebound next week when it hosts Grossmont, while Helix travels to Spring Valley to take on Mount Miguel.
