Tri-City Medical North County Game of the Week: Mission Hills Grizzlies 24, La Costa Canyon Mavericks 13
The PPR Game of the Week will highlight a pair of undefeated teams, it can be argued that the best match-up comes from the North County when #4 La Costa Canyon (6-0, 2-0) hosts #1 Mission Hills (6-0, 2-0) in the Tri-City Medical North County game of the Week.
In the 1st six games of the season the Grizzlies have yet to be tested, the number don’t lie, as they have outscored their opponents by almost 37 points a game. That includes two Avocado League wins, 28 points over Carlsbad and 38 points over Oceanside.
If you ask why Mission Hills is ranked #1 in both the San Diego Section rankings as well as the Open Division rankings…Defense.
The beef of Junior DT Isaac Anderson and Sophomore DT Shiloh Seau allow linebackers Bryan Barraza and Sam Dixon to makes plays, The Grizzlies give up just six points a game. They make it boring watch the opposing teams offense…Unless you like offense and the Grizzlies are stacked with talent starting with Utah bound QB Jack Tuttle who has thrown for 24 touchdowns, WR Chris Olave who has caught 14 of those TD’s, and Naval Academy bound Running back Sam Dixon who balances the offense.
While Mission Hills may have the number one ranking in the section, La Costa Canyon will play toe to toe with them. It all starts with their QB Jake Neufeld, who makes plays with both his arm and his legs. He has some weapons behind him, starting with the defending CIF San Diego Section 400 meter champion Karson Lippert who is averaging almost 11 yards per carry. The last time LCC was the North County Game of the week, he ran for 315 yards in a win over Carlsbad.
The Mavericks defense has been unshakable this season averaging almost 2 turnovers a game. LCC runs a 3-3-5 which is uncommon in high school football unless you have the athletes. The Mavs have the athletes, Carson berry leads the team with four interceptions, while Junior Sam Hussin leads the team in sacks with five.
The Grizzlies have dominated this series winning 11 of the 13 times they have played, including a 28-21 win in 2016 that was one of the best games this reporter saw last season.
Outside of the "San Diego CIF Open Division Finals" this could be the game of the year. And We will have highlights of this game and 32 other games across the county on the one and only "Prep Pigskin Report" only on KUSI-TV. The fun kicks off at 10:30pm on channel 9/51 or you can stream us at KUSI.COM.
