Super Scotties! Helix Claims First CIF Football Title Since Reggie Bush Years

Finally, Oceanside High’s streak of San Diego Section Division II football championships has been stopped at seven. Helix made sure of that, routing the Pirates 44-6 at Qualcomm Stadium on Monday in one of three title games that were one-sided.

Brandon Lewis threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Adkins ran for 137 yards and two scores as the Highlanders won the DII crown for the first time since 2001, when Reggie Bush was running wild. Since then, Helix had been 0-6 in championship games, including five losses to Oceanside.

“It’s almost like we know we’re going to face those guys in the playoffs,” said Helix coach Troy Starr about the matchup. “It’s like Oceanside has become our traditional rival. It’s all our kids talk about.”

Helix now will wait to find out if it will be the Southern California team selected to play a NoCal squad for the state championship Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

They've got Oceanside's vote. "Helix is a very talented team," said Pirates coach John Carroll. "I think they're the best team in Southern California."

After a fumble ended its first possession, Helix scored the next seven times it had the ball, on drives as quick as one play (a 65-yard pass play from Lewis to Gary Thompson) to a 12-play, 79-yard drive capped off by a 25-yard TD run by Adkins. He would add a 61-yard TD run late in the third quarter. Helix never punted in the game.

The always-tough Highlander defense limited Oceanside to 37 yards rushing on 18 attempts, and the Pirates had just one first down in the opening quarter. Thompson, who also plays defensive end, sacked Pirates quarterback Tofi Paopao three times.

"We treated (Oceanside) like every other team," said Thompson. "It wasn't like we were all excited, we just executed."

The only time they didn't was on the game's final play, when Oceanside's Ryshaud Keegan scored on a 3-yard run to avert the shutout.

Oceanside quarterback Tofi Paopao completed 20 of 35 passes for 226 yards but was sacked four times and threw an interception. His favorite target was Thai Cottrell, who caught six passes for 101 yards.

Helix QB Lewis hit on 17 of 28 passes, including four to Kendal Keys for 68 yards and a touchdown. Darrion Hancock rushed for 65 yards on 14 carries and a 1-yard TD to open the scoring. Jimmy Pruitt also had a touchdown catch for the Scotties.