The San Diego Section playoffs are still five weeks away but it’s becoming clearer each week that the Granite Hills High School football team has firmly established itself as one of the top teams in the region – and the team to beat for the Division II championship.
The Eagles ventured from their nest last Friday to take on the No. 3-ranked Madison Warhawks. The East County visitors were on the verge of a rankings-scrambling upset with a 12-0 lead late in the game.
But the Warhawks rallied for a 15-12 non-league win to remain undefeated (5-0) on the season. Granite Hills still showed what it takes to contend for a CIF championship.
Eagles head coach Kellen Cobbs said he believes his team has one of the strongest defenses in the section, Granite Hills will have the opportunity to put that defense on display when it finally kicks off Grossmont Hills League play Oct. 14 against the visiting Grossmont Foothillers.
The Eagles follow with league games Oct. 21 against visiting Steele Canyon and Oct. 28 at Helix Charter.
Grossmont is currently 0-6 while Steele Canyon is 1-5.
Defending league champion Helix remains the team to beat with a 5-1 overall record following last Friday’s 38-31 nonleague victory against visiting AnaheimServite.
Before that, Granite Hills (4- 2 overall) will have one more week of non-league play to get past before the most exciting part of the season commences. The Eagles are scheduled to host the Christian Patriots on Thursday, Oct. 6.
The Patriots are currently 2-3 coming off their bye week.
Granite Hills enters its bye week this week ranked No. 1 among the section’s Division II teams, followed closely by No. 2 Mira Mesa (4-1) and No. 3 Mt. Carmel (4-1). Central Union (3- 2) is ranked fourth while San Marcos (3-2) in ranked fifth.
Madison entered last Friday’s tilt averaging 39.5 points per game. The Eagles defense recorded five sacks and the Granite Hills offense did enough to build a 12-0 lead a few plays into the fourth quarter.
The Eagles led, 6-0, at halftime on field goals of 32 and 25 yards by junior Robert Petrich. Sophomore Pablo Jackson, who collected 77 rushing yards in the game, scored on a 15-yard run in the third quarter to double the lead.
The Warhawks got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard run by junior Jaylon Brown. Junior James Tivao scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a two-yard run with 2:36 to play in the game.
The Eagles certainly put up a fight, with Madison stopping Granite Hills on downs on a fourth-and-one play at the Warhawk 13-yard line.
Madison junior Titus Toilolo sealed the win for the host team when he made an interception with 42 seconds to play.
