Helms Leads Villa Park by Bolsa Grande

Villa Park football coach Pat Mahoney might have found another quarterback Friday night.

With senior quarterback Chris Johnson out for at least two more weeks with a shoulder separation, Mahoney turned to junior Eric Helms. Helms sparked Villa Park to a 14-7 victory at Bolsa Grande.

“Helms played well tonight,” Mahoney said. “We are limited with what we can do on offense at this point, but it’s nice to get off to a good start.”

Bolsa Grande looked sluggish from the start. The Matadors missed their backfield from last year that featured Damon Fisher, Travin Lui and Ricky Lepule. They combined for 300 points and more than 3,000 yards when Bolsa won the Garden Grove League title.

Friday, Bolsa Grande was limited to 171 yards in total offense and scored its only touchdown with just under a minute to play when quarterback Brian Nuez capped a 7-play drive with a 1-yard run.

Helms opened the scoring when he connected on a 44-yard pass play to end Matt Genova with 5:45 remaining in the second quarter. Ted Burnett booted the extra point for a 7-0 Villa Park lead.

Jomo Stewart added to Villa Park’s lead when he scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter. Burnett added the extra point.

Helms finished with three completions in eight passes for 59 yards. Stewart rushed for 81 yards in 17 carries to pace the Villa Park running attack.