Grossmont Faces Challenge in League Opener

The Grossmont High football team better not be looking ahead to its game at Helix next week, or it won't be the battle of unbeatens that everyone is anticipating.

The Foothillers (5-0) host Valhalla (3-2) Friday evening at 7, and based on past performances, Grossmont will have to be in top form to retain its unbeaten status. The Norsemen have beaten the Foothillers by a combined 103-38 the past three times the schools have met.

Through the five-game non-league portion of the schedule, every team in the Grossmont Hills League has produced a winning record, and now that the league schedule is here, the fight is on to climb to and remain at the top of the standings.

Grossmont has beaten Coronado (33-0), University City (37-7), Castle Park (23-7), Santa Fe Christian (23-14) and Monte Vista (61-7). Valhalla's last victory before a bye last week was a 47-7 rout of Monte Vista, the teams' only common opponent. The Norsemen also have wins over Mission Bay (38-0) and El Capitan (38-13) and losses against Mount Miguel (13-12) and Ramona (28-14).

Desean Waters powers the Grossmont offense from his quarterback position, rushing for 673 yards on 92 carries (7.3 yards per carry), including 12 touchdowns. The converted running back also has completed 30 of 45 passes for 438 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Valhalla relies on the arm of quarterback Frank Foster, who has hit on 64 of his 110 pass attempts for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jevon Hasten is averaging 27 yards a reception on 12 catches, four of them for scores.