Otay Ranch 42, Grossmont 31

You hear it all the time, whichever team wins the turnover battle has the best shot of winning.

That was nothing but the case Friday night at Otay Ranch High School as the Mustangs created nine turnovers and played field position to their advantage beating the Grossmont Foothillers 42-31.

The Mustangs pinned the Foothillers inside the 10 three times, but that will forever be forgotten as the Friday night lights shinned down on Mustangs Cornerback and Receiver Adrian Rodriguez. He had a night some kid’s dream of with five interceptions and two receiving touchdowns.

In the third quarter with Otay Ranch down 10, Rodriguez picked the ball off from the throw of Grossmont QB Jared Redfield, and then scored on a 62-yard reception to cut the deficit to three.

It was then later in the third, Junior Sam Stevens decides to do his own Rodriguez impersonation and pick one off himself to only later score this time giving the Mustangs back the lead 35-31.

A late QB sneak by Mustang’s Arturo Saenz was the icing on the cake late in the fourth.

It was, however, a tough evening for the Foothiller’s quarterbacks as starter Calvin Farris was knocked out on the second drive after a Mustang defender body slammed him.Backup Quarterback Jared Redfield filled in nicely throwing for three touchdowns in the first half. But then threw one too many interceptions in the second half as he was replaced by Senior Quarterback George Caragiannides in the fourth quarter.

First-year Head Coach Lance Christensen of Otay Ranch couldn’t’t have imagined a better way to open up the season 2-0 against, Valhalla and Grossmont, two teams from the Grossmont Hills League— arguably the San Diego Section’s best football league.

Otay Ranch will look to remain undefeated as they head back on the road to play Mount Miguel.

Grossmont will head east to battle Ramona.