High School Football Roundup : Helix Rallies to Tie Grossmont

As the clock wore down on the 39th meeting between Helix and Grossmont Friday night, the scene at Helix shifted from the real to the surreal. It was one of those moments that unfolds as if in slow motion.

Helix had battled back to tie Grossmont, 21-21. With 55 seconds remaining, Grossmont was stopped at the Helix 12.

Grossmont lined up for the field goal, attempting to win its first game against Helix in 11 years. The Helix coaches were jumping up and down on the sidelines trying to get a timeout. None of the Helix players could hear them as they zeroed in on Grossmont’s final snap.

But the ball rolled through the holder’s hands and was smothered.

The surreal again became real.

Helix couldn’t move the ball in the final minute and the teams tied for the second time in five years. This is as close as Grossmont has come of late to winning The Musket, the symbol of the East County’s longest football rivalry.

“What we wanted to do was ice the kicker and get organized for a block,” said Helix Coach Jim Arnaiz. “Thank God they didn’t hear us. Maybe that’s fate.”

Whatever it was for No. 8 Helix (3-1-1), it was just disappointing for seventh-ranked Grossmont (4-0-1).

“We did everything we had to do,” Grossmont Coach Judd Hulbert said. “We did everything we set out to do. The only thing we didn’t do was come out ahead on the boards.”

Grossmont looked as if it would get out of the ‘80s with a victory against Helix when Rob Daynes intercepted a blocked pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. The extra point gave Grossmont a 21-7 lead with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

But Helix countered on a 73-yard touchdown run by Jarrett Parr on a second-and-15 play to make the score 21-14.

Grossmont turned the ball over on its next two possessions and Helix took advantage of the second, an interception by Andreal Climon with 9:57 remaining.

Two plays later, Rob Ippolito then threw 27 yards to Ale Campos, who jumped in the air, caught the ball with a defender on his back and fell into the end zone. The extra point tied the game, 21-21.