HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : No. 4 Point Loma Edges No. 2 Helix, 10-7, in War of Nerves

It could have been the pressure, lack of concentration or nerves, but something happened to the Helix offense Thursday night.

The result was that No. 4 Point Loma was in a position to beat the No. 2 Highlanders, 10-7, on Bobby Oliveira’s 27-yard field goal with five minutes left before approximately 3,000 spectators at Helix.

“I thought it would come down to a (late) field goal or touchdown,” said Coach Bennie Edens of Point Loma (4-0). “It was the case of two teams near the top wanting to win very badly. I think the kids were a little nervous, so mistakes were made.”

Every time Helix (3-1) had the ball and was in a pressure situation, it committed a penalty. The Highlanders had eight, four in scoring position.

“They didn’t blow us off the field,” Helix Coach Jim Arnaiz said. “They were lucky to beat us. We beat ourselves.

“I don’t know if we got rattled, but every big play, we got penalized.

“All week we told the team they have to focus, concentrate and execute. When you can’t get in the right formation on a play . . . “

With three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Kenny Carter scored Helix’s only touchdown on a 12-yard run.

Point Loma scored in the second quarter when Toby Gault faked a handoff, then completed a 33-yard pass to Charles Ensey. Gault completed four of 12 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Point Loma’s Alex Gresham rushed 16 times for 124 yards.

Each defense had allowed just seven points coming into the game.

“Our defense did a great job,” Arnaiz said. “‘Our defense will match up to any team, and I would love to play them again in the playoffs.”