The Steele Canyon football stadium simply isn’t adequate to host the biggest game to hit the Campo Road campus in the 18-year history of the school.
It appeared that more fans were standing along the sidelines and end zones than sitting in the modest stands to witness No. 1-ranked Helix storm back from a 14-point halftime deficit to steal a 35-23 victory from No. 5 Steele Canyon to win the Grossmont Hills League championship on Friday night.
Even CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti and San Diego Section Commissioner Jerry Schniepp were stationed on the Helix sideline as the Highlanders (9-1, 5-0) very likely sewed up the No. 1 seed in the Open Division playoffs.
Steele Canyon (9-1, 4-1) had defeated Helix 22-21 in the season finale last year to forge a tri-league championship with Helix and Granite Hills, and it knocked Helix out of the Open Division.
“We were very fortunate to win this game,” Helix coach Robbie Owens said. “This was big. When you’re at Helix, we want to be the No. 1 seed every year.”
After Steele racked up 274 yards and took a 21-7 lead into halftime, Helix and sophomore tailback Christian Washington took control. Washington scored three of his four touchdowns in the second half. He finished with 29 carries for 218 yards as Helix rolled up 374 total yards.
It was only his fourth start since Elelyon Noa went down with a season-ending foot injury.
“We came out with a different mindset in the second half,” Washington said.
The Cougars’ Elia Kirisimasi was 13-of-21 ing for 221 yards in just his second start. He was intercepted once, by Jaiden Brown on the final play of the game.
After Helix took a 28-21 lead, the Cougars got a safety sack by Cameron Ewart and got the ball back with 5:03 left. Helix forced a three-and-out, however, and then part-time quarterback Delshawn Traylor turned in the play of the game to ice it.
Scrambling and almost sacked about 20 yards behind the line, Traylor managed to break free and while getting hit out of bounds alertly tossed a to Jahari Hill, who turned up the field for a 53-yard TD.
“Great adjustment by their defensive coordinator (Damaja Jones),” Steele coach Scott Longerbone said.
Helix is now 48-2 in league over the last 10 years.
Steele flexed its muscles early in taking a 21-7 halftime lead. With a defender draping him, Antoine Walker made a terrific leaping grab for a 23-yard TD from Kirisimasi in the first quarter. The drive was set up by a Steele fumble recovery by Luis Alvarado on a punt return.
Midway through the second quarter, Wesley Neely reeled off runs of 13 and 32 yards to set up a 1-yard QB sneak by Kirisimasi.
Minutes later, Helix answered with a 43-yard sprint by Christian Washington to pull to 14-7.
But the Cougars answered that with an eight-play, 80-yard drive. Angel Almazan turned a short sideline into a 62-yard play before Kirisimasi again scored on a 1-yard sneak.
On the second half kickoff, Helix junior Andre Salcido sustained an apparent broken arm, and the game was delayed about 30 minutes as an ambulance was summoned to take him to a hospital.
Helix——————- 0 7 14 14 – 35
Steele Canyon——– 7 14 0 2 – 23
SC – Antoine Walker 23 from Elia Kirisimasi (David Martinez kick)
SC – Elia Kirisimasi 1 run (David Martinez kick)
H – Christian Washington 43 run (Elijah Laing kick)
SC – Elia Kirisimasi 1 run (David Martinez kick)
H – Christian Washington 1 run (Elijah Laing kick)
H – Christian Washington 7 run (Elijah Laing kick)
H – Christian Washington 11 run (Elijah Laing kick)
SC – Safety, Kamryn Brown tackled in end zone
H – Jahari Hill 53 from Delshawn Traylor (Elijah Laing kick)
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
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