At 3-1 to start the season, the Mountain Empire High School football team has exceeded the expectations of many observers.
The Redhawks are not in the playoffs yet, but it could happen before the season is over.
“All kudos to the players,” new head coach Cameron Keller said. “They are bought in and executing at a high level.” Mountain Empire certainly turned heads with last Friday’s 34-0 victory against Tri-City Christian (0-4) in a Sunset League game.
The Redhawks rushed for 222 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns, including two by junior Amar Mahasin (nine carries, 76 yards) and junior Chance Ross (eight carries, 61 yards).
Ross also completed a touchdown pass to senior Jason Landman for eight yards. Landman also had an interception return for 23 yards while adding a sack.
Keller pointed to several other players who have helped the team this season: sophomores Elisha Lashone Robinson and Charles Crow, seniors Junior Ponce and Max Anderson, and junior Spencer Alvarez.
“We have a young O-line — all juniors, sophomores and freshmen — that has helped in the team’s success this year,” the coach said.
“Our goal is to always win the next game. At the start of every week, I tell the guys we’re 0-0 and our goal is to be 1-0 every week. We also want a league championship as well as a CIF championship.”
El Capitan 38, Monte Vista 0
The host Vaqueros rushed to their third consecutive win via a shutout over the Monarchs (3-2) in a non-league matchup. The Vaqs scored five rushing touchdowns, including two by senior Brody Copp (eight carries, 38 yards) and one each by senior Spencer Chastang (two carries, 15 yards), sophomore Michael Castillo (nine carries, 89 yards) and sophomore Micah Clark (three carries, 23 yards).
Chastang had two interceptions on defense while seniors Brewin Ford, Vincent Busby and Matthew Eckis each recorded one sack. Ford led the team defensively with seven tackles.
Ford and senior Bryce Banegas each had one fumble recovery. Junior Ryder Powers had eight kicking points, including a 34-yard field goal.
El Capitan next plays at West Hills (0-4) this Friday, 7 p.m.
Braves New World
El Cajon Valley (2-3) extended its modest win streak to 2-0 following last Friday’s 32-23 non-league win against the visiting Castle Park Trojans (1-4).
Senior Jaquari Wash threw two touchdown passes — one each to junior Amir Miller (one catch, 22 yards) and senior Vave Mossman (four catches, 46 yards) — while junior Janvier Kashindi (15 carries 151 yards) scored one rushing touchdown and freshman Jacob Bickett added six kicking points.
