Mission Hills outlasts Granite Hills, avenges previous losses

by John Maffei

SAN MARCOS – Facing one of the top passing quarterbacks in the county in Zac Benitez of Granite Hills High School, Misison Hills defensive back Xavier St. John was up for the challenge.

“We knew their quarterback was really good,” St. John said. “We knew he had great receivers. So facing him was a challenge.”

It was a challenge Mission Hills readily accepted as St. John set the tone early with a 24-yard interception for a touchdown, his second of the season, and John Garcia put the game on ice with an 82-yard interception for a TD as the No. 3-ranked Grizzlies stunned No, 4 Granite Hills 31-21.

The win snapped a pair of 10-point Mission Hills (4-0) losses over the last two seasons to Granite Hills (3-1).

“We did to them what they did to us the last two seasons,” said Mission Hills coach Chris Hauser. “Granite Hills has such a high-powered offense. They average 85 plays a game and 40 points. It’s hard to play defense for 85 plays.”

Granite Hills ran 80 plays, rushing for 164 yards with Benitez completing 27 of 43 passes for 257 yards. He didn’t, however, have a completion of more than 20 yards.

And in Garcia’s long interception return, Benitez was harassed by the defense, flushed out of the pocket and forced to throw off balance.

“I saw the quarterback rolling out, scrambling,” said Garcia. “Then I saw the ball coming my way. I grabbed it, took off and it was wide open in front of me. I had to keep my eyes on the quarterback, but I couldn;t let my guy slip behind me. This was a big game with a lot of attention. We were totally focused.”

Mission Hills dominated the first half and led 14-0 at the break.

Xavier St. John got the Grizzlies starter, intercepting a Benitez pass and returning it 24 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Mission Hills put together an 11-plya, 70-yard drive, scoring on a 4-yard Patrick Fleming run.

Granite Hills had just 59 yards passing at the break with 21 of those coming on the last play of the half.

Mission Hills quarterback Troy Huhn completed 16 of 23 passes for 192 yards and a 42-yard TD Grant Kuykendall.Myzael Quakenbush had seven catches for 56 yards. Fleming had 18 carries for 128 yards.

“You can’t spot that team seven points and expect to win. Then throw another pick six and expect to win,” said Grant Hills coach Kellan Cobbs. “Mission Hills is a good football team. It’s a good staff and they know how to win. Their defense flew around to the ball and made some plays. They can slow things down offensively when they need to. I think we only had four possessions in the second half.”