Games today unless noted
The big game
Grossmont (4-3-1, 2-0 Grossmont North)
at Santana (4-3, 1-1) 7
Seeking to keep their shot at a second straight Grossmont North League title alive, the Foothillers must beat Santana in front of the Sultans' homecoming crowd. Defeating Santana hasn't been a tall order of late for the Foothillers, who have flattened the Sultans by a composite 164-41 the past four years. This is not a flashy Hillers squad, but the leadership of three-year veteran RB-DB Augie Williams (806 all-purpose yards, nine TDs) has given Grossmont a winning edge. Santana, led by QB Collin Taylor (1,578 yards total offense, 23 TDs) and WR Jon Tippin (1,125 all-purpose yards, 110 points), needs a split of its final two games to lock up a decent seed in the playoffs.
East spotlight
Mount Miguel (5-3, 2-1 Grossmont South) at Granite Hills (5-3, 1-2), 7: This is the tightest series on the Grossmont Conference books, with the Matadors clinging to an all-time 23-22-1 advantage. Although the Matadors have won five straight, this year's renewal is up for grabs. Mount Miguel counts on East County rushing leader Elliott Taylor (148 carries, 927 yards, eight TDs). The Eagles operate a balanced attack.
El Cajon Valley (3-6, 0-3 Grossmont North) at No. 3 El Capitan (8-0, 2-0), 7: A year ago, El Cajon Valley escaped with a 16-7 win, but El Capitan is the front-runner this time behind quarterback Ryan Lindley (2,329 yards total offense, 26 TDs).
Valhalla (4-4, 1-2 Grossmont South) at No. 5 Helix (6-2, 3-0), 7: The Norsemen won the first meeting between these schools in 1975, but Helix has posted a 26-2-2 mark since. The Norsemen, who are scrambling for a Division III playoff berth, hope to surprise the Highlanders – winners of every game (excluding a forfeit to Logan, Utah) since an opening night loss to Oceanside.
Monte Vista (1-6-1, 0-3 Grossmont South) at Steele Canyon (5-3, 2-1), 7: The Cougars beat Monte Vista 28-0 for the first time in four meetings last year and the results should be similar this time around.
Christian (6-2, 2-1 Coastal) at Francis Parker (5-3, 1-2), 7: Parker has posted wins in seven of the past eight meetings with the Patriots, including a 16-7 nod in last year's Division V final.
Player profile
Kevin Kriebel, Valhalla
On the field: Although most of his athletic career has been spent on the basketball court, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior is participating in football for the first time since his freshman year. A receiver in Valhalla's wing-T offense, Kriebel has caught 14 passes for 248 yards and two TDs. “I was a linebacker when I started my freshman year, but I got sick and they made me a third-team offensive lineman when I came back,” said Kriebel, who severed his football ties at that point and focused on basketball and volleyball. “I've been playing basketball since I was 4 years old. I didn't think I could love anything as much as I love basketball. But I'm having as much fun in football this year as I've had in basketball.”
Friendly lure: Kriebel was wooed back into the football program by Norsemen senior quarterback Tomas Karagianes. “Tomas is one of my best friends and he said the football team needed receivers,” Kriebel said. Valhalla coach Dave Hostetler was pleased to see Kriebel back in pads in the fall. “He's an athlete who is physically solid,” Hostetler said. “He lacks experience but knows how to compete.”
College future: While Kriebel is a quality athlete, he's strongest in the classroom, where he boasts a 4.1 grade-point average and an 1,880 SAT score. “I know my chances of playing football are limited, but I'd still like a shot at basketball or possibly volleyball,” Kriebel said. “If nothing comes my way in terms of sports, I'd like to go to UCLA and major in business administration.”
– BILL DICKENS
Rest of the schedule
TODAY
Coastal League
Army-Navy vs. Horizon at Patrick Henry, 7
Eastern League
St. Augustine at Morse, 2:30 (Web: KBCsports.com)
Cathedral Catholic at Scripps Ranch, 7
(Web: KBCsports.com)
Patrick Henry at Mira Mesa, 7
Western League
Serra at No. 9 Hoover, 7
No. 8 Point Loma at San Diego, 7
Central League
Kearny at Crawford, 2:30
University City vs. Clairemont at Serra, 7
Coronado at Madison, 7
Avocado League
Fallbrook at El Camino, 7:30
Vista at No. 4 Oceanside, 7:30 (Web: hitekradio.com)
Palomar League
No. 6 La Costa Canyon at Rancho Bernardo, 7:30
Mt. Carmel at Poway, 7:30 (Web: KBCsports.com)
No. 1 Torrey Pines at Westview, 7:30
Valley League
No. 10 Escondido at No. 7 Mission Hills, 7:30
(Web: xxsportsradio.com)
Ramona at Orange Glen, 7:30
San Pasqual at Valley Center, 7:30
Mesa League
Chula Vista vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7
Eastlake at Sweetwater, 7 (Web: KBCsports.com)
Otay Ranch at San Ysidro, 7
South Bay League
Hilltop at Castle Park, 7 (Web: KBCsports.com)
Marian Catholic at Montgomery, 7
Mar Vista at SD Southwest, 7
Imperial Valley League
Calexico at Palo Verde, 7
EC Southwest at Brawley, 7
Mountain Desert League
Vincent Memorial at Holtville, 7 (Web: KBCsports.com)
Imperial at Mountain Empire, 7
Pacific League
Tri-City Christian at Julian, 3:30
Calipatria at La Jolla Country Day, 7
H-Town vs. Foothills Christian at Valhalla, 7
Nonleague
All Tribes at Escondido Charter, 4
TOMORROW
Coastal League
Bishop's at Santa Fe Christian, 2
Online extra
For more coverage of high school sports, visit SignOnSanDiego, the Union-Tribune's Web site: sports.uniontrib.com/highschool
Football rankings, standings, statistical leaders, results/schedules.
