For the final home game of the 2008 - 2009 football season, the Granite Hills JV Eagles football team hosted the Helix Highlanders on Halloween night. This meeting was anxiously anticipated by both teams and pre-game analysis indicated that it was going to be a physical game. True to prediction and in coinciding with the Halloween timeframe, there was some apprehensive and scary moments during the game awaiting the fans which culminated in the Eagles 2nd loss of the season by the score of 30 - 14.

 In the first half, see-saw battles between defenses and offenses for both teams captivated those in attendance. The Helix Highlanders vaulted in the lead during the first quarter with an end zone pass for a touchdown. Then, a miss-communication between the Eagles quarterback and receiver on an ensuing pass play resulted in an easy interception by the Highlanders which was run in for a second touchdown. The Eagles fans were spooked beyond belief to see the first quarter end with a Highlander lead of 14 - 0.

 Determined to overcome the frightening first quarter scoring results, the 2nd quarter saw some stellar play by the Eagles offense and defense. Within 15 seconds of the beginning of the 2nd quarter, a Cory Lockman pass to Gilbert Perez for a touchdown saw the Highlander lead cut in half. The Eagles held the Highlanders scoreless in the following possession with fine plays by the defensive line and Kevin Valenzuela on defense enabling the offense to again work their magic. The Eagles offense carefully drove down field to the Highlander 5 yd. line only to have the Highlanders intercept a Cory Lockman TD pass attempt in the end zone. Again, the Eagles held the Highlanders in check on their following possession. A Highlander punt was blocked by the Eagles Kevin Valenzuela enabling the Eagles offense to gain back possession and drive down the field to the Highlander 4 yd. line. The fans were screaming with delight to witness Cory Lockman running in for a touchdown with the first half almost ending. However, with 56 seconds remaining in the first half, the Eagles fans were in agony to see 4 long successful Highlander pass plays result in a last second Highlander touchdown. The first half ended with the Highlanders again leading 21 - 14.

 Both the Eagles and Highlander defenses, coupled with hard-hitting plays were the highlights of the 3rd quarter. The physical nature of the game surfaced at this point. Players were reeling from the hard-hits and hard line-play battles. A few dropped passes by the Eagles receivers and errant Eagles quarterback throws for Highlander interceptions stalled the Eagles offensive drives several times. A hard hit on receiver Jess Iglinski-Benjamin on a pass catch attempt over the middle put him out of the game. As the 3rd quarter was nearing it's conclusion, an Eagles fumble recovery by Tyler Boscorino on a Highlander 4th down attempt allowed the Eagles fans to exhale only to see the 3rd quarter end with the Highlanders still leading 21 - 14.

 Being behind by a touchdown in the 4th quarter, the Eagles once again attempted a drive down the field. An unfortunate errant snap from the Eagles center saw the ball pass over the head of quarterback Cory Lockman and into the Eagles end zone. In hoping to score an easy touchdown, an aggressive scramble for the football by the Highlanders defensive players tackled Cory Lockman hard. Lockman was able to retain the ball in the Eagles end zone for a Highlander safety, but the hard hit kept him on the ground. The entire stadium grew silent as Cory Lockman was unable to get up. It was no treat for the Eagle fans as an eerie, silent, and frightened crowd saw the game being halted, in disbelief of an arriving ambulance and Lockman having to be carried off the field on a stretcher. Alternate quarterback Brenden Darsay, warming up quickly, took the offensive helm for the Eagles, leading a last minute drive for a score attempt. However, this last minute Eagle drive was stopped short by the alert Highlander defense with the game scoreboard clicking down to show a 30 -14 final Helix win.

 Special acknowledgements goes to a very busy center Ben Kimari, taking continuous hard hits from fast and big Helix players, playing on the punt team, quickly warming up quarterback Darsey, and protecting the quarterbacks on the field. An additional stand-out was Kevin Valenzuela with his aggressive play on offense and defense.