San Diego Open-Div. Preview: #1-Lincoln vs. #4-Helix

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previewing San Diego's Open-Division semifinal between #1-Lincoln and #4-Helix. Lincoln (10-0) comes in undefeated as one of the best teams in the state and seeking a second consecutive state-championship led by D-I talent on both sides of the ball. Helix (9-1) is led by their own D-I QB and several talented prospects at the skill positions. The two teams meet on Friday at Lincoln HS @ 6pm. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#1-Lincoln</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln has separated themselves as one of the best teams in the state on both sides of the ball. The offense is led by an elite 2025 QB talent, Oregon-commit [player_tooltip player_id='406658' first='Akili' last='Smith Jr.'] 2025 standout WR [player_tooltip player_id='406654' first='Dreyden' last='Garner'] leads the receiver group with 34 catches for nearly 800 yards and 7 TDs on the season. He currently holds 10 D-I offers from Colorado, Arkansas, Purdue, Oklahoma St., and others. Other contributing WRs include <strong>Isiah Grant </strong>(Jr.), <strong>Ayden Billups</strong> (Sr.), and <strong>Tre'nice Woods </strong>(Sr.). The offense replaced the #1-RB in the state (Roderick Robinson) with two effective juniors- <strong>Aden Jackson</strong> and <strong>Donald Reed III</strong>- each with 500+ yards and 6+ TDs on the season. 2024 OG <strong>Adrian Gutierrez</strong> is a strong leader up front for the OL unit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Akilismithjr/status/1721919370606334246","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Akilismithjr/status/1721919370606334246 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='683640' first='Jerome' last='Roberts'] </strong>leads the defensive unit with 130 tackles and 26 TFLs on the season. With the level of play and production he's shown this season, Roberts should continue to see more D-I offers coming his way in the next few months- he currently holds offers from SDSU, Nevada, and Sacramento St. Fellow senior ILB <strong>Micah Valenzulea</strong> has totaled 98 tackles and 14 TFLs on the season. <strong>Munir Kassa</strong> (Jr.) and <strong>Jamarion Herbert </strong>(Sr.) are prolific pass-rushers off the edge, each with 10+ sacks on the season. Junior DT <strong>Eugene Rice</strong> and senior DE <strong>Athan Leyva </strong>are key pieces to a stout defensive front-seven for Lincoln. The talented secondary includes underclassmen <strong>Keontae Mcclay</strong>,<strong> Isaiah Bartolome</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780325' first='Cammeron' last='Purnell']</strong>. 2025 ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='282768' first='CJ' last='Williams']</strong> is a versatile player on both sides of the ball that can be used as a gadget player on offense and a skilled nickel/CB on defense.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KUSIPPR/status/1719771078749458600","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KUSIPPR/status/1719771078749458600 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Helix</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Helix's offense is led by a future D-I QB, Nevada-commit [player_tooltip player_id='115450' first='Ryland' last='Jessee']. The four-year starter has put together another impressive season with over 1,400 passing yards, 17 TDs, and only 2 INTs. Joining Jessee in the backfield is one of the most explosive playmakers in the county- <strong>Kevin</strong> <strong>Allen</strong>- who's totaled nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 22 TDs this season. Allen, who picked up offers from Utah St., Army, and Eastern Washington during the offseason, should continue to attract interest/offers with the combination of home-run hitting speed and dynamic playmaking he offers. WRs [player_tooltip player_id='683674' first='Jackson' last='Daniels'] (Sr.) and [player_tooltip player_id='401222' first='Brandon' last='Arrington'] (So.) present length, speed, and athleticism both as receiving threats and secondary defenders. Arrington has added offers from Penn St., San Jose St., and SDSU since September. The OL unit is led by one of the best centers in the county- <strong>Ryan</strong> <strong>Mason</strong>. Mason's a powerful IOL that can anchor in pass-pro and move DTs off the ball in the run game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KUSIPPR/status/1719765392569319745","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KUSIPPR/status/1719765392569319745 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='398493' first='Jirah' last='Savaiinaea'] leads a strong defensive front-seven for Helix with 63 tackles and 8 TFLs on the season. He gets downhill in a hurry and attacks the backfield with speed as a run defender. Twin brothers, Anthony and Jordan Gash, seal the edges from their DE spots with 6 and 4.5 sacks, respectively. Senior DT <strong>Daniel</strong> <strong>Larsina</strong> is a disruptive interior defender with 4.5 sacks on the season. Two-way standouts <strong>Kevin</strong> <strong>Allen</strong>, <strong>Jackson</strong> <strong>Daniels</strong>, and <strong>Brandon</strong> <strong>Arrington</strong> are the top athletes in the secondary.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/brandonjubie2/status/1718009155498524918","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/brandonjubie2/status/1718009155498524918 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Analysis</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams present well-coached D-I talent on both sides of the ball. Both QBs take great care of the football so any turnovers produced could prove to be the difference in this one. Ultimately, I think Lincoln's offense could find more success than Helix as Lincoln's defense is one of a few teams in the county with the athletes to keep up with the Highlanders' explosive playmakers. We've also seen Lincoln's defense take over games and be dominant against high-level competition. Helix keeps it close but Lincoln advances to their second straight Open-Division final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->