With September winding down, fall varsity sports teams at both Helix Charter High School and Grossmont High School, respectively are well into their campaigns.

That said, a number of teams are looking for more wins as October looms on the horizon.

At Helix in boys’ water polo action, the Highlanders under head coach John Dorfi had a 4-2 record going into action recently.

According to Dorfi, key players include Asher Eaton (driver/utility), Xylen Rotsart (2 meters), Coen Riggins (2 meter defense) and Tobin Gloyer (driver/utility).

“Our goals for the season are to win the league and make CIF Top 10,” Dorfi remarked.

* In girls’ field hockey play, Helix was at 0-4 for head coach Rhona St. Clair-Moore entering last week.

St. Clair-Moore noted key players to date include Katie Evans, Yesica Tula Alonso, Morgyn Miller and Karoline Dominguez.

“After coming off of a summer where our players did not play, we are trying to quickly regain the high level of play that Helix is used to,” St.Clair-Moore stated. “Players are working hard to defend our league title once league play begins in October.”

* On the girls’ tennis courts, Helix was sitting with a record of 9-2 as of late last week for head coach Dan Potter.

According to Potter, the team is led by number one singles player Ella Short, seniors Jade Findley and Brenda Arevalo, and junior Selina Bilbrey.

“Our goal is to compete for the Grossmont Hills League championship and return to the Division I CIF playoffs,” Potter remarked.

* On the gridiron, the Helix fútbol americano team came into this week with a record of 5-0 and a number three ranking in San Diego for head coach Damaja Jones.

Jones noted there have been various contributors to date so far, including quarterback Ryland Jessee, running back/defensive back Kevin Allen, defensive back/wide receiver Jackson Daniels, offensive/defensive lineman Daniel Larsina, offensive linemen/defensive linemen/linebackers Jirah and Jeremiah Savaiinaea, and defensive and offensive linemen Anthony and Jordan Gash.

“Our goal is to compete for a CIF championship,” Jones commented.

* In girls’ volleyball play, the team was sitting with a 6-2 record for head coach Zoe Varela Beltz as of last week.

According to Varela Beltz, key players to date this season include Temukisa Sangiao, Bella Barrios, Guilianna Guarnotta, Kyra Miles and Niloofar Jorbozeh.

“Our goals are to continue to grow as a program and to make it to the state playoffs again this year for Division II.”

At Grossmont High, the girls’ golf team was sporting a 6-1 record recently and a number 10 rating in Division I.

According to head coach Jim Earley, top returners are sophomore Anabella Van Cotthem (league champ ‘22), senior Erica Freeman (conference champ ‘22) and senior Leah Yost.

“Our goals are to win our tough league, make it to CIF as a team, and have as much fun as possible,” Earley stated.

* In fútbol americano action, Grossmont headed into play last week with a mark of 2-2 for head coach Anthony Lawrence.

Lawrence noted key players include senior quarterback Hudson Herber, senior defensive back/wide receiver Josh Ferrara, senior wide receiver Cody Bigley, senior wide receiver Elias Burlaza, senior defensive back/linebacker Zelan Reynolds, senior defensive end Jacob Suter, senior linebacker/defensive back Walter Jackson and senior running back Isaac Aceves.

“By the end of the season I want our team to understand the importance of hard work and attention to detail,” Lawrence stated. “I want us to leave everything on the field. I also want us to all have passing grades at the end of the semester and treat everyone we come across on campus or in the community with love and respect.”

* In their first season of girls’ flag football, the Lady Foothillers got off to a 3-0 start for head coach Tony Lawrence.

According to Lawrence, key players to date include Guliana Balistrieri, Dahlia Blake, Marissa Farace, Ashley Beard and Gabi Thomas.

“Our goal is simple – to understand football concepts, work hard and have fun,” Lawrence commented. “When we started, most of the girls did not know what the line of scrimmage was, what a ‘snap’ was or basic understanding of how to catch a football and keep running. Now we employ six different defensive looks and a 30-play playbook. We had a spirited ‘discussion’ between two players about who has to be off the line of scrimmage so we have a legal formation. The idea that they grasped that was more than I hoped for – now they are debating it. We have a strong junior varsity and an amazing group of hard-working players who I treat like football players and athletes – not high school kids or ‘girls’.”

* In boys’ water polo play, the Foothillers under head coach Clint McLaughlin have had a tough schedule to start out the year and were at 1-7 early last week.

According to McLaughlin, the 2023 varsity team has a lot of new faces contributing to the program this year.

“The 2023 team has only one returning starter from the 2022 team, but the new players are learning quickly and making big strides,” McLaughlin commented. “The team has really grown together through camping trips and travel trips they have been able to attend already this season and are really working hard in the pool.”

McLaughlin noted the squad has a strong group of seniors leading the team this year.

Senior Ryan Motta is an all-around stand out, Daniel Drake is our defensive specialist, Jacob Starkey is our go-to on offense, Keler Smith is our point guard and Andrew Hall is great utility man for us,” McLaughlin remarked. “We also have a great group of up-and-coming sophomores led by Gabe Acuna, Garrett Bowles, Carson Hall and Peter Nelson.”

As McLaughlin sees it, this team has really grown throughout this season already and its goal is to be hitting full stride in the next couple of weeks, which will allow them to compete for the league championship and hopefully make a big run in the CIF playoffs.

* In girls’ volleyball action, Grossmont under head coach Grace Campbell went into play last week sporting a 4-4 record.

Campbell said key players to date this season include Abby Chiu, Evin McDowell, Dahlia Blake and Ellie Dilgard.

“Our goals are to finish above .500 and make a solid playoff run,” Campbell noted.

Editor’s note: All fall varsity sports head coaches at both schools were asked to provide information for this article.