CIF Bowl Championships: Division II preview - Del Oro vs. Helix

DIVISION II
Del Oro (Loomis) 13-1 vs. Helix (La Mesa) 12-1

Del Oro had a bowl-worthy team in 2005, but that was the final year before the Bowl Games. Now in 2011, the Golden Eagles will aim for their first state title.

Photo by Gary Jones

FACTS AND STATS

Rankings — Del Oro: State, No. 14 by MaxPreps and National, No. 25 in MaxPreps Xcellent 25. Helix: State, No. 8 by MaxPreps.

Notable alums — Del Oro: Randy Fasani (former NFL quarterback), James Irvin (MMA fighter) and Karin Morrell (Miss California in 1971). Helix: Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers quarterback), Reggie Bush (Miami Dolphins running back), Bill Walton (NBA Hall-of-Famer) and Dennis Hopper (actor).

Leading rushers — Del Oro: Brandon Monroe (234 rushes, 1605 yards, 22 touchdowns), Nick O'Sullivan (228-1342-23). Helix: Darrion Hancock (153-1207-21), Michael Adkins (86-907-11).

Leading passers — Del Oro: Bobby Heatherington (121-for-185, 2133 yards, 22 touchdowns, 6 interceptions). Helix: Brandon Lewis (176-281-2750-34-7).

Leading receivers — Del Oro: Russell Smith (32 catches, 606 yards, 8 touchdowns), Alex Bertrando (25-392-3), Daniel Thomas (21-357-4). Helix: Cameron Lee (41-733-6), Kendal Keys (36-631-8), Jimmy Pruitt (25-394-8).

Points per game (allowed) — Del Oro: 40.4 (16). Helix 43.2 (7.6).

This should flat-out be fun.

Two first-time programs enter the CIF Division II Bowl Championship game fray as perennial Sac-Joaquin Section power Del Oro takes on perennial San Diego Section standout Helix. If section history means anything – it probably doesn't – then this should be a blast considering the only other time the sections faced off.

That was in 2009 when Modesto Christian (SJS) defeated Parker-San Diego 44-40 in one of the best Bowl games in the five-year history. That decided the Small Schools championship.

Del Oro has won three section crowns since Casey Taylor took over the program 10 years ago and the 2005 team that went 13-0 likely would have been a Bowl team. The Bowl Championships began in 2006.

Interestingly, the early 30-27 overtime loss to Westlake perhaps had as much to do with Del Oro's selection as its 13 wins. Westlake turned out to be the top team overall from the South and went 14-0. If Del Oro could take Westlake to overtime, then it could obviously play with anyone.

"We're excited," Taylor told Joe Davidson of the Sacramento Bee. "We've wanted to be a part of the bowl experience for a long time. We're looking forward to another week of practice, a chance to play for a big prize and see what we can do. It's great for our program and our town."

While Del Oro's signature game was early, Helix's calling card into the tournament was probably its last, a 44-6 win over two-time Bowl champion Oceanside in the San Diego Section finals. Scotty coach Troy Starr thought his team deserved a bid before the win, but the Oceanside win cemented it.

"That was huge," Starr told San Diego Union-Tribune writer Steve Brand.

Both coaches are impressed with their opponents.

"They have a big line and very good athletes," Taylor told Davidson. "They may have the best defensive line we've seen. The key is how we control the defensive line, hats on hats. We have to do what we do, and throw them some looks they haven't seen."

Starr said Del Oro does a little bit of everything.

"To get to the state championship, you have to have all three phases of the game, and they do," Starr said. "They have a strong running game to go with a solid passing attack, good defense and special teams. If we have a slight advantage, it might be that we have speed, but they're not slow by any means. They are heavy on the run and they do it well."

DEL ORO OFFENSE vs. HELIX DEFENSE

Del Oro has superb balance led by the two-headed running monster of Monroe (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) and O'Sullivan (6-0, 185), who have combined for more than 2,900 yards and 45 touchdowns. Monroe has gone for 1,605 yards and 22 scores and O'Sullivan 1,342 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Del Oro has always been able to run the ball, but what has pushed it over the top offensively is an efficient passing game, led by 5-foot-11, 170-pound quarterback Heatherington, who has completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,133 yards and 22 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

He spreads the ball beautifully to four receivers with at least 18 catches, led by the versatile Smith (32 catches, 606 yards, eight touchdowns). Bertrando, Thomas and Blake Covey are other superb threats.

It's helped Del Oro score at least 40 points on seven different occasions and more than 50 three times.

"They give you plenty to work on," Starr said about Del Oro's attack.

Helix flies to the ball and has plenty of beef on the line, helping San Diego Section Defensive Player of the Year Kacy Smith, a 5-9, 180-pound senior linebacker/strong safety make plays. The defensive line that Taylor raved about is led by Gary Thompson (6-1, 215) and William Milo (5-10, 260), also first-team All-CIF performers.

Linebacker Rocky Fuga (5-10, 210) was a second-team All-CIF performer, as was defensive back Jimmy Pruitt (5-11, 190).

HELIX OFFENSE vs. DEL ORO DEFENSE

Helix is an offensive machine, averaging more than 43 points per game, led by San Diego Section Offensive Player of the Year Lewis, who completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,750 yards and 34 touchdowns. The passing game was opened up by first-team All-CIF running back Hancock (1,207 yards, 21 touchdowns), an absolute blur, and shifty Adkins (907 yards, 11 touchdowns).

Lewis was protected by many of the stars on the defensive line, particularly All-CIF selection Augie Lugo (5-10, 235). Lugo gave him plenty of time to throw to a trio of receivers, led by second-team All-CIF Lee (5-11, 185).

Lee, Keys and Pruitt combined for more than 1,750 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. Helix runs out of a spread attack, is fast and quick striking.

"We'll have our hands full," Taylor said.

Linebacker Tanner Huber (6-1, 210) has a hand in most of Del Oro's tackles with a team-high 112. Defensive lineman Dalton Hudec has a team-high 10 sacks and Huber has added five.

Other defensive standouts are big contributors on offense as well, led by Smith (71 tackles), Bertrando (70), O'Sullivan (64) and Covey (61), who also has a team-high five interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

Helix had at one time featured current NFL starters Alex Smith and Reggie Bush on the same team, but Brand, who has covered prep sports in four decades, said this Helix team is better. "They're better up front," Brand said. … Bretrando has given a verbal commitment to Nevada… Kevin Love, Del Oro's starting center, sports a 4.2 grade point average and is off to the Air Force Academy. Another Del Oro starting lineman, Zach Heath, is the third brother in the Heath family to star at the school.