SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Helix Can’t Cash In on Fumbles : San Dieguito’s Defense Makes Difference, 12-6

With little help from its own offense, San Dieguito High School’s defense took control to defeat No. 8 Helix, 12-6, at Helix in a nonleague game Friday night.

San Dieguito, ranked ninth, used an interception and an excellent game from its defense to set up two second-half touchdowns and then held off Helix for the victory in the first football game between the two schools. San Dieguito is 3-0, and Helix is 2-1.

San Dieguito received little help from its offense, which lost three fumbles while inside Helix territory in the first half. The San Dieguito defense, however, shut down a Helix offense that had averaged 24.5 points per game. After three games, the Mustangs’ first-team defense has allowed only five points.

San Dieguito’s first touchdown was set up by an interception by linebacker Rob Trabucco, who returned the ball 14 yards to the Helix 20-yard line early in the third quarter. Trabucco blitzed up the middle as Helix quarterback Tim Zeddies tried a shovel pass.

Two plays later, running back Eric Franssens ran 21 yards around the right side to give San Dieguito a 6-0 lead. The extra-point attempt was blocked.

“We knew when they lined up in that position that they may try the shovel pass,” Trabucco said. “I saw the quarterback take two steps back and look over (to a running back). It was an easy read.”

Helix tied the game with 9:31 remaining in the game when Dan Tiumalu scooped up a blocked 47-yard field goal attempt and ran 55 yards for a touchdown. Dan Spearman ran untouched around the right side to block the punt, which bounced waist high into Spearman’s hands.

Helix was called for delay of game on the extra-point attempt and then did not get a kick off because of a bad snap.

“I did have second thoughts because we botched the extra point earlier,” San Dieguito Coach Ed Burke said. “Unfortunately, I was prophetic.”

San Dieguito struck quickly, scoring on a 12-yard run by running back Bobby Davis with 6:13 to go. San Dieguito tried a two-pint conversion, but a pass by quarterback Brett Ward was incomplete.

Helix rallied on a drive from its own 27 late in the fourth quarter. Behind the running of Zeddies, Helix moved to the San Dieguito 34 with two minutes remaining.

But Zeddies fumbled the ball at the San Dieguito 27, and defensive back Tim Kechter recovered to end the drive.

Franssens carried the ball 21 times for 126 yards, including 89 yards on 12 carries in the first half. Davis finished the game with 62 yards on 8 carries.

Helix running back Spike Mitchell, who was averaging 103.5 yards per game, was limited to 33 yards on 12 carries.