Mira Mesa Stuns Helix

Mira Mesa upset undefeated and top-ranked Helix, 12-7, Friday night in the opening round of the Section 3-A playoffs on a 20-yard desperation pass from Mike Nelson to Chris Lilly with 53 seconds left.

Nelson’s pass bounced twice off a Helix defender and the primary receiver, Mike Pittman, before Lilly made the diving catch. Mira Mesa (6-5) began the game-winning drive on their 13-yard line after recovering the last of Helix’s four fumbles with 4:45 left.

Helix (10-1) also coughed up the ball on Mira Mesa’s 20- and 13-yard lines and their 22. Mike Pittman, who rushed for 130 yards on 38 carries, scored the first Mira Mesa touchdown in the fourth quarter from three yards out after the Marauders recovered a fumble on Helix’s 22.

Mira Mesa turned over the ball twice, on an interception and a fumble. Helix scored in the third quarter on a Josh Smith-to-Jeremy Gottlieb four-yard pass. Smith completed eight of 14 passes for 105 yards. Helix’s Teniel Ethridge ran for 172 yards on 15 carries.

Helix outgained Mira Mesa, 290 yards to 195.