The Granite Hills Eagles had their team depth tested in last Friday’s non-league game at Mater Dei Catholic High School in the wake of a 44-29 loss at Oceanside in Week 1.
The thought of staring the new season 0-2 was a possibility after trailing 14-0 early on. But the Eagles passed their Week 2 test with a come-from-behind 38-31 victory to even their season opening record at 1-1.
“Great job by a bunch of different guys on defense,” Granite Hills head coach Kellan Cobbs said. “We.had a few starters out, so we had some kids step up for us.
“Nino (Miller-Thompson) made some great plays again. Jesse Wilhite gave us a huge play on special teams with a punt return touchdown. Gage Spalding had a big night with over 150 all-purpose yards.”
No. 6 Granite Hills initially trailed the No. 16 Crusaders, who were coming off a heartbreaking 29-28 season-opening loss at Del Norte High School, by a two-touchdown margin. But four unanswered scores by the visitors put the East County team up by two touchdowns 28- 14.
The hosts responded in kind. The game was tied 31-all with 8:26 to play in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles had the final word — and touchdown — with 30 seconds to play on a one-yard run by Spalding (senior running back).
Senior quarterback Zac Benitez passed for 181 yards with two touchdowns and one interception (returned for a touchdown).
Spalding tacked on 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while also reeling in three passes for 27 yards.
Miller-Thompson (senior receiver) caught six passes for 80 yards and two scores while Wilhite (senior receiver/free safety) added a 49-yard punt return for a touchdown. Senior Jacob Nunez tacked on a 32-yard field goal to go with five PAT kicks for eight kicking points in the game.
Defense helped write a large part of the story. Three players — sophomore Jamir Alverez, senior Cayden Phillips and senior Eurijah Schutza — each logged 12 tackles. Phillips had one sack while Wilhite had one fumble recovery. Alverez and Phillips each had six unassisted stops.
Granite collected 461 yards in total offense, including 154 rushing yards.
Wilhite keyed the Eagles with 126 kick-return yards — 38 yards on kick-off returns and 88 yards on punt returns — to turn in another outstanding all-around effort.
Sophomore Joey Rodriguez keyed the Mater Dei Catholic defense with 10 tackles, including one sack.
The hosts recorded three sacks overall, including losses behind the line by junior Xavier Vitela and sophomore Shelby Villegas.
Senior Jordyn Fitzpatrick returned an intercepted pass 70 yards while senior Ron Pizarro caused a fumble.
Next up for the Eagles is a Sept. 11 home game against the No. 3 Mission Hills Grizzlies. No. 16 Mater Dei Catholic (0- 2) will host Bishop O’Dowd on Friday, Sept. 4. Bishop O’Dowd, the defending Division 5-AA state champion, opened the season with a 55-6 win over Castlemont last Friday.
It’s too early for anyone to panic on the sidelines. The Crusaders are 10 points away from a 2-0 start, including the one point loss to Del Norte and the last-minute seven-point setback to Granite Hills.