Big second quarter propels Mission Hills to 37-21 win over El Camino: 3 takeaways

SAN MARCOS -- Mission Hills showed why they're a top five team in the San Diego Section on Thursday night and gave a preview of what's to come during the 2021 Fall season. After El Camino capped off a 65-yard, nearly six-minute drive with a touchdown to begin the game, Mission Hills answered right back, scoring 30 straight points on their way to a 37-21 win at Jack Ashby Field.

Below are three takeaways from the game.

THE BIG PLAY

Coming out of the halftime break with Mission Hills leading 23-7, El Camino was able to secure an interception in their own end zone and keep it a two-score game. The Wildcats drove down into Mission Hills territory before fumbling it back to the Grizzlies. Mission Hills took advantage with junior quarterback Gunnar Hensley connecting with junior receiver Matt Martin on a slant route that Martin was able to break open for a 74-yard touchdown.

“It was a man corner and I beat him on the inside and the safety over the top, he actually fell and lost his shoe, and I just took the open field," Martin said of his catch and run.

The Grizzlies were able to find offensive success in the first half with a strong rushing attack and short passing game, before opening things up in the second half.

“We knew with a shortened week we we’re really trying to attack the gaps with their man coverage and trying to beat them over the top," Martin said. "We knew that they were going to be very handsy and press us off the line.”

FIELD POSITION

Despite four turnovers on the night, Mission Hills was able to get the stops needed and take advantage of their opponents mistakes. A bad punt from El Camino on the opening play gave Mission Hills the ball at the 11-yard, setting up a Canaan Ridill six-yard touchdown run that gave Mission Hills their first lead of the night.

After Gunnar Hensley added a one-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter, El Camino fumbled the ball right back to Mission Hills, this time on the six-yard line which set up a Hensley touchdown pass to Riley Fountain, giving Mission Hills their third touchdown of the quarter and second in 28 seconds.

“We just wanted to be great on all three areas of the ball, we wanted to take care of the ball which we didn’t do a great job of but in the end, we made enough plays to get the win," Hensley said.

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

After having the football season moved into the Spring, Mission Hills had to wait an additional week after COVID-19 protocols cancelled their week one matchup against Grossmont. The Grizzlies haven't allowed any of it to affect them, pushing their way to a 4-0 record in which they've outscored their opponents, 131-42.

“The message has just been working hard throughout practice, we’ve put in so much time and it shows here on the field," Hensley said postgame.

Mission Hills will wrap up the six week Spring season next week when they travel to rival San Marcos to play the annual Discovery Bowl.

“It’s been tough, but we play every game like it’s our last, and this one was our last on this field," Hensley said.