2021 Week 15: Local Turf War in DII-AA Pits Helix Against Mater Dei

The CIF came up with an unusual pairing this week: teams representing the same section and which should have intimate knowledge.

Intimate knowledge was denied, because COVID canceled a Highlanders-Crusaders match in Week 3.

There is shared common knowledge, however. Mater Dei defeated Otay Ranch, 41-7, and St. Augustine, 35-0. Helix beat the former, 29-14, and the latter, 35-14.

The Highlanders (9-3) are a legendary program in the San Diego Section. Less visible in the South Bay, Mater Dei (12-0) also has compiled an impressive resume.  The the teams will match up Friday night at Mater Dei.

The Crusaders have won two-thirds of their games since 1992, with a 224-122, .667) record under three coaches, Mike David (88-33) from ’92-2001, Bill White (51-28) from ’02-08, and John Joyner (85-61) since ’09.

Helix is 295-77-6 (.789) over the same period, mentored by Jim Arnaiz, Gordon Wood, Donnie Van Hook, Troy Starr, and Robbie Owens, who is 53-19 since 2016.

Helix slumped to 2-4 in 2020 and was 3-3 this season before winning six in a row. It came from behind to defeat Lincoln, 28-21, last week.

Mater Dei likely will get a dose of Christian Washington, who carried the Scots with 191 yards, and 4 touchdowns in 41 carries. “They rode their horse,” Hornets coach David Dunn told Don Norcross of The San Diego Union.

Mater Dei, which averaged 41 points a game, got four touchdown passes last week from sharpshooter Dominick Nankil in a 37-10 win over Ramona.

Cal-Hi Sports ranks Helix 18^th and Mater Dei 24^th in California. Max Preps says Mater Dei is 33^rd and Helix 40^th. Cal Preps.com gives ‘Dei a 49.6 grade, Helix 45.0.