Prep Football: #5 Mission Hills Defeats Poway with Fourth-Quarter Flurry, 38-21

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

POWAY — The Mission Hills Grizzlies (8-2, 4-1 Avocado League) emerged victorious Thursday night, defeating the Poway Titans (3-7, 0-5 AL) in a hard-fought Avocado League clash. The Grizzlies pulled away with a late-game scoring spree to secure the win.

The game kicked off with Mission Hills taking an early lead in the first quarter. Set up by an interception returned to the goal line, senior running back Giovanni Harte plunged into the end zone from one yard out, giving the Grizzlies a 6-0 advantage. Kicker Logan Boyack added the extra point, setting the score at 7-0. Poway responded in the second quarter when quarterback Ty Hurst connected with wide receiver James Clifford on a 17-yard touchdown pass. Tyler Hughes’ extra point tied the game at 7-7, which held through halftime.

In the third quarter, Mission Hills struck again. Harte recorded his second touchdown of the night, this time on an eight-yard run, putting the Grizzlies back on top, 14-7. Mission Hills extended its lead to 24-7 before Poway responded. Near the end of the third quarter, Poway’s Luke Jorgensen broke through for a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Hughes’ kick brought Poway within three, trailing 24-21.

Mission Hills put the game out of reach in the final quarter. Senior quarterback Troy Huhn connected on two clutch touchdown passes: a 19-yarder to Rylan Schroeder and a 42-yard strike to Myzael Quakenbush.