Game of the Week: Helix Highlanders 42, Eastlake Titans 26
Updated: 11:37 AM
The Helix Highlanders are headed to the CIF San Diego Section Division I Finals thanks, in large part, to their junior running back Elelyon "Fato" Noa. He used his great skills combined with an excellent game from his offensive line to lead Helix to a 42-26 win over the Eastlake Titans.
Noa started the scoring on the Highlander's opening possession with a 50-yard touchdown run. After a quick three-and-out by the Titans Noa struck again for a 63-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 lead. The lead extended to 21-0 when Delshawn Traylor scored on a 3-yard run. In the second quarter former Eastlake Titan, Daniel Amon, threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Michael Shawcroft and a 28-0 lead. Eastlake put together a good drive at the end of the first half and finished it off with Richard Colmenero hitting wide receiver Kevin Bateman for a 24-yard touchdown pass leading to a 28-7 halftime score.
The second half was more of the Highlanders strong play. Their defense compiled three quarterback sacks and the third quarter went scoreless for both teams. However, Noa struck again early in the fourth quarter with a 7-yard touchdown run making it 35-7. On the ensuing kickoff Eastlake's Iyani Gaines broke a tackle at his own 25-yard line and took it to the house for a 91-yard touchdown return. Noa put the exclamation point on the Helix victory with a 62-yard breakaway touchdown run; his fourth of the game.
Noa finished the night with 21 carries for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns. Helix advances to the Finals at Southwestern College next week in a rematch against St. Augustine.
PREVIEW – The #2 seed Eastlake Titans (10-1) host the #3 seed Helix Highlanders (7-4) in the Cox Communications Game of the Week. The winner of this game punches their ticket to the CIF Division I Finals to play the winner between Mission Hills and St. Augustine.
Helix got to this point with a difficult early-season schedule followed by dominating performances through the Grossmont Hills League until losing to Steele Canyon in the final regular season game. They rebounded quickly with a convincing 68-7 win over Grossmont in last week's quarterfinal game. The Highlanders are led by junior running back Elelyon "Fato" Noa who has rushed for 1,887 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 12.3 yards per carry. Another junior, Delshawn Traylor, adds the threat of passing or running. He has thrown 3 touchdown passes while running for 503 yards and 12 more touchdowns. Defensively, Traylor leads the team with 4 interceptions.
Eastlake's lone loss this season was to undefeated Torrey Pines on opening night. They have played solidly on both sides of the ball and are coming off of a quarterfinal 29-7 victory over Oceanside. The Titans are led by sophomore quarterback Richard Colemenero III who has completed 67% of his passes for 1,895 yards 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. His top targets are junior Darius De Los Reyes who has 34 receptions for 715 yards 9 touchdowns and senior Kevin Bateman with 28 receptions for 503 yards and 3 touchdowns. Senior running back Roman Coe has 568 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, senior linebackers Trevor Trussell and Josh McCurty have combined for 19 sacks.
For highlights of this game watch "1st & 15" on KUSI at 10:45 pm. Follow us on Twitter @RedJacketArmy for updates on this game and the rest of the playoff action around the county.
Categories: Game of the Week, This Week's Games
Tags: Eastlake HS, Helix HS
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