LA MESA — Redemption and an all-around performance was the story for the Mt. Miguel football team.
Junior Brandon Arrington got redemption against his old teammates and the entire team shared in the joy as the Matadors exploded for 28 second-quarter points to down host Helix 48-35 on Friday night.
“I heard them talking crazy, saying I couldn’t do it,” said Arrington of his former teammates. “That pumped me up and I did what I had to do. I did my job.”
What the state champion in the 100 and 200 meters did was return a kickoff 85 yards to give the Matadors (6-1 overall, 2-0 Grossmont Hills) a 14-8 lead. They would never trail again.
“This was real important to me as redemption for how they treated me as a sophomore when I was over there,” he continued. “There, I couldn’t get a reception. Here, I’m doing the real work and it feels good.”
After a scoreless opening quarter, both teams exploded in the second.
Mt. Miguel broke into the scoring column first. AJ Stowers’ 34-yard strike to Parris Vernon on a fourth-and-8 from the 35, set up Vernon’s 1-yard TD for the 7-0 lead with 10:02 left in the half.
The Highlanders answered back with a little trickery. Pablo Jackson took a pitch going right, pulled up and found Harris Harlem behind the secondary for a 32-yard TD a minute later.
Arrington, who plans to make a college choice in the next few months, returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a 14-8 lead.
“That’s why Brandon is one of the best in the nation,” said Mt. Miguel head coach Verlain Betofe. “That’s what a five-star (recruit) plays like.”
Mt. Miguel capped on that momentum as Dominic Lopez picked off a Helix pass and raced up the sideline for the 35-yard TD with 7:18 left in the half.
“I read it, that was my pick,” said Lopez. “I knew I had to return it, get some points for my defense.”
Helix (2-5, 0-1) cut the lead to 21-15 with 5:50 left in the half. Making his varsity debut after not playing since his freshman season, senior quarterback Jett Gottlieb went in on a keeper from the 1.
Stowers ended the scoring in the half on a beautiful pass and catch by Delontay Williams. The sophomore made an outstanding play in the corner of the end zone, outjumping the defender for the 11-yard score with 2:59 left for a 28-15 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Matadors scored on three of their four possessions to leave little doubt in the result.
Jayden Hunter added TD runs of 8 and 11 yards in the third quarter, and another of 4 yards in the fourth.
Pedro Jackson, the outstanding transfer running back from Granite Hills, led all rushers with 171 yards on 27 carries and two TDs for the Highlanders.
“We proved we can run as well as pass,” said Mt. Miguel head coach Verlain Betofe, whose team rushed 36 times for 195 yards. “And our defense, made them earn every inch they got tonight.”
Mt. Miguel 48, Helix 35
Mt Miguel – 0 28 14 6 – 48
Helix – 0 15 7 13 – 35
MM — Vernon 2 run (Ettlemen kick)
H — Harris 32 pass from Jackson (Jackson run)
MM — Arrington 85 kickoff return (Ettlemen kick)
MM — Lopez 35 – return (Ettlemen kick)
H — Gottlieb 1 run (Laue kick)
MM — Williams 11 pass from Stowers (Ettlemen kick)
MM — Hunter 2 run (Ettlemen kick)
H — Jackson 2 run (Laue kick)
MM — Hunter 11 run (Ettlemen kick)
H — Jackson 27 run (kick failed)
MM — Hunter 4 run (pass failed)
H — Lindley 3 run (Laue kick)
Originally Published: