SANTEESANTEE — In the history of the Grossmont Valley League, there has never been a regular-season finale like the one presented on Friday night when El Capitan visited West Hills.
West Hills entered as one of only four undefeated teams in the San Diego Section. El Capitan suffered a five-point loss to Coronado in Week 3, or the Vaqueros could have been undefeated too.
Plus, before the game, West Hills coach Casey Ash anointed El Cap twins Savigon and Antwone Yokley as the two best players in the league.
In the end, however, solid and steady West Hills executed a terrific game plan and rushed for 305 yards to claim a 27-21 victory to complete the first 10-0 regular season in school history, win the league title and earn back the Tony Burner Memorial Cup in front of a packed house at West Hills.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” said Oberg, a three-year starting quarterback who rushed 15 times for 116 yards and West Hills’ first three touchdowns. “They couldn’t stop the run, so we had to keep hitting that.”
Oberg also completed 4 of 6 es for 78 as the Wolf Pack totaled 383 yards.
Sophomore Collin Dill rushed six times for 87 yards, and sophomore Diego Calderon added 9 carries for 75 yards and a TD.
“It’s definitely a memory that will last forever,” Calderon said. “I’m so happy to experience this great season with my brothers.”
West Hills (10-0, 6-0) has won 11 straight and now its first league title since 2015.
“This is huge for the school community,” said Ash, still soaking after a postgame Gatorade shower that he called, “Best bath I’ve ever had.”
Savigon Yokley, who entered with incredible numbers — like 1,129 ing and 1,002 rushing yards and a hand in 38 TDs — completed 12 of 19 es for 228 yards and a TD, and he rushed for 89 yards and a TD. Antwone Yokley caught six es for 100 yards.
El Capitan (8-2, 5-1) was looking for its first league title since 2014 when the Vaqueros went 14-0 before losing a state title game. But West Hills allowed only a lone TD until the fourth quarter.
“They outplayed us,” El Cap coach Ron Burner said. “They had a great game plan, and they executed. Congratulations.”
While the Wolf Pack ran steady throughout the contest, the defense was marvelous too under defensive coordinator Quinton London.
“Coach London had a great game plan,” Ash said, “and for the most part we executed it very well.”
Both teams came out storming on their opening possessions. El Capitan got it started with a 9-play, 67-yard drive, capped by a 2-yard TD by Xavier Peace.
West Hills’ Jake Partington then returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the 30-yard line, and the Wolf Pack scored five plays later on a 6-yard keeper by Oberg up the middle to knot the score 7-7.
That was it for scoring until the second half as the defenses toughened. El Capitan had the best opportunity for a lead but a 32-yard field-goal attempt was blocked. On its third possession, West Hills drove to the 15-yard line but a fumble was recovered by Peace.
The Wolf Pack romped again to start the third quarter. They scored first on a 5-play, 88-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard keeper by Oberg. The drive included a 24-yard gain by Oberg and a 46-yarder by Dill.
“Best drive of my coaching career,” Ash said.
El Cap then ran 12 plays but was stopped on downs at the 22-yard line. Seven plays and 78 yards later, West Hills had a 20-7 lead on a 5-yard keeper by Oberg. The big plays were a 21-yard from Oberg to Dylan Snyder and an 18-yard run by Oberg.
The Vaqueros struck back when Yokley threw long to Peace for a 63-yard gain, and then Yokley scored on a 16-yard sweep to make it 20-14.
West Hills then marched 78 yards — thanks to a 44-yard run by Calderon — on seven plays to go up 27-14 with 3:44 left.
The Vaqueros weren’t going down easily though. Yokley hit his brother Antwone for 33 and 13 yards before connecting with Julian May on a 19-yard TD with 1:44 left.
On the ensuing onside kick, Calderon recovered, and the Pack ran out the clock. Bedlam ensued with the Wolf Pack hoisting a huge banner that read “10-0!”
Grossmont Valley League
WEST HILLS 27, EL CAPITAN 21
El Capitan 7 0 0 14 — 21
West Hills 7 0 13 7 — 27
EC — Peace 2 run (Dietrich kick)
WH — Oberg 6 run (Haley kick)
WH — Oberg 1 run (run failed)
WH — Oberg 5 run (Haley kick)
EC — S. Yokley 16 run (Dietrich kick)
WH — Calderon 1 run (Haley kick)
EC — May 19 from S. Yokley (Dietrich kick)
