The San Diego Section football rankings have started to take shape just beyond the midpoint of the season. Most teams have either played six or seven games out of 10 regular season contests. League play also has kicked off.
The eye on the prize: league champions receive automatic entry into the section playoffs.
There is a tweak this season. While the top four teams continue to qualify for the elite Open Division, the next eight teams (not 12 as in recent years) will comprise the Division I tier, which becomes a more exclusive group.
The net effect is to push higher-ranked teams farther down the line. The top four schools in each playoff division should theoretically be stronger than in past seasons, which should make already competitive brackets even more competitive.
Open Division leaders include No. 1-ranked Carlsbad (6-0), No. 2 Mission Hills (5-1), No, 3 Cathedral Catholic (3-3) and No. 4 La Costa Canyon (3-3). Santa Fe Christian (7-0) is No. 5.
Two East County teams are vying to be included near the top for the selection committee. Helix Charter (5-2) entered this week ranked sixth while Granite Hills (4-2) was ranked seventh. Removing the top four teams for the Open Division would place Helix in the No. 2 slot for the Division I playoffs and Granite Hills at No. 3.
Both Grossmont Hills League rivals would be well positioned to make a run for a CIF title. Granite Hills has won four consecutive ones.
Both teams appear on a collision course for this year’s league title after opening with commanding wins last Friday. Helix defeated the visiting Mount Miguel Matadors, 42-8, while Granite Hills topped the Grossmont Foothillers, 44-24.
No. 20 Valhalla (4-2), No. 22 Steele Canyon (4- 2) and No. 24 Grossmont (5-2) are likely outside the Division I cutoff. Other East County teams vying for playoff inclusion include No. 28 Christian (5-1), No. 38 West Hills (5- 1), No. 44 El Capitan (2-4), No. 47 Santana (4-2), No. 56 Mount Miguel (1-4), No. 65 Mountain Empire (4-3), No. 68 Monte Vista (2-4), No. 71 Foothills Christian (3-3) and No. 83 El Cajon Valley (2-4).
Christian fell from the ranks of the undefeated with a 27-14 loss to the San Diego Cavers (2-4) on Saturday in the teams’ City Conference Eastern League opener.
HOMECOMING WIN
Senior Zac Benitez passed for 280 yards and five touchdowns to lead the host Eagles in last Friday’s homecoming game victory. Prime targets included senior Courtney Miller-Thompson (seven catches, 70 yards, one TD), sophomore Manny Walker (four catches, 58 yards, one TD), senior Romeo Pepi (one catch, 24 yards, one TD), senior Brody Vicars (three catches, 20 yards, one TD), junior Gabriel Valdez (one catch, two yards, one TD), seniors Jesse Wilhite (one catch, 15 yards), Cameron Reed (one catch, 15 yards) and Jayden Ruiz (three catches, 20 yards), and juniors Mitch Macleod (one catch, 12 yards), Jonah Hamilton (one catch. 10 yards) and Troy Cumming (two catches, nine yards).
Senior Gage Spalding was the rushing leader with four carries for 24 yards. Granite rolled up 305 total yards.
Fourteen players caught passes.
The hosts built a 23-0 lead en route to a 30-6 halftime advantage. The teams fought to a 14- all stalemate in the second half.
“They have a solid team,” GHHS head coach Kellan Cobbs said in regard to the Foothillers. “They did a good job of keeping us off the field. They took a lot of time off the clock when they had the ball to limit our snaps. When we were on the field, our offense produced. We spread the ball around. It just wasn’t one guy.”
Benitez passed t h e 10,000-yard career passing mark during the game. He has now passed for 1,358 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He’s also rushed for 74 yards and three scores.
He has personally led the Eagles to three CIF championships. Could a fourth be in the offering?
“I think it’s definitely possible with this team,” he said. “We’re definitely talented and determined.
“Over the four years, every team has had a different chemistry. I like this year’s team chemistry. It’s a good chemistry.”
Miller-Thompson leads receivers with 615 yards and nine touchdowns while Spalding is the team rushing leader with 379 yards and five touchdowns.
MOUNTAIN MEN
The Mountain Empire Redhawks dropped their Desert League opener, 50-28, to the visiting Vincent Memorial Scots last Friday to fall to 0-1 in league, 4-3 overall.
Vincent Memorial improved to 1-0 in league, 6-1 overall.
“It was a tough opening loss,” Mountain Empire head coach Cameron Keller said. “We had some crucial calls not go our way and felt like guys gave up after the first half. It was 22- 0 to start the second half. We fumbled off the first play and they scored. We did play till the end and it was 28-28 in the second half. I’m proud of them for fighting while down. Turnovers were a big part of our loss as well — five fumbles, we lost three.”
Senior Chance Ross passed for 178 yards with two touchdowns and one two-point conversion.