SD Open-Division Semis Recap: #1-Lincoln vs. #4-Helix

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Highlights and breakdowns from one of two OT thrillers in San Diego's Open-Division Section semifinals. #1-Lincoln jumped out to a 21-3 lead before Helix came back to take the lead late in the 4th quarter. 2025 Oregon-commit, [player_tooltip player_id='406658' first='Akili' last='Smith Jr.'], led a game-tying FG drive in the final minute of regulation to send the game to OT where Lincoln eventually won 45-38. Helix stood strong on both sides of the ball, getting major contributions from their playmaking seniors: ATH [player_tooltip player_id='683674' first='Jackson' last='Daniels'] (receiving TD, INT), RB <strong>Kevin</strong> <strong>Allen</strong> (43 carries/113 yards/TD), QB [player_tooltip player_id='115450' first='Ryland' last='Jessee'] (14/22, 4 TDs), and DL <strong>Anthony</strong> <strong>Gash</strong> (sack) who pressured the Lincoln backfield consistently. Lincoln benefitted from key contributions on offense from RB <strong>Donald</strong> <strong>Reed</strong> (2 rush TDs), WR [player_tooltip player_id='406654' first='Dreyden' last='Garner'] (3 catches, 110 yards). On defense, 2025 DT <strong>Eugene</strong> Rice was a stout defender in the run game and 2025 DB <strong>Keontae</strong> <strong>Mcclay</strong> made several physical tackles in the flat. The loss marks the end for a talented group of seniors for Helix, while Lincoln advances to play #3-Granite Hills in the Open-Division championship at Snapdragon Stadium this Saturday, 11/18 at 7pm. Lincoln is seeking a second consecutive section title in the Open-Division. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["683674"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Daniels looked like the best perimeter athlete on both sides of the ball for much of the game. The senior WR/CB extended for an athletic INT and returned it into Lincoln territory, and made several physical tackles in space. On offense, he caught a TD pass to take the late lead in the 4th quarter and made another big catch to get Helix inside the five during the first OT. Jackson's a gifted, dynamic athlete that offers significant upside on either side of the ball at the next level. He picked up offers from Colorado St., Utah St., and Utah Tech in the offseason and should continue to add to that list after his strong senior season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65536eea23e81"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SDFNLMagazine/status/1723182499163988040","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/SDFNLMagazine/status/1723182499163988040 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406658"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Smith came up big when Lincoln needed it most, completing 6 passes for 68 yards and  two massive 4th-down conversions on the Hornets' game-tying drive. He made game-changing plays with his legs, evading the rush and finding receivers downfield or picking up 10-15 scramble yards. He flashed his natural arm strength connecting on two explosive downfield throws with fellow junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='406654' first='Dreyden' last='Garner']. Smith- who's thrown for over 2,200 yards and 23 TDs this season- and the Lincoln offense will face arguably their toughest test of the season with a talented Granite Hills defense this weekend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65536eea23f1c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/akili_smith/status/1724158201015513147","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/akili_smith/status/1724158201015513147 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aden Jackson ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lincoln","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jackson handled 12 carries for 70 yards and 3 TDs including the first TD of the game from 35 yards out. He showed downhill physicality in condensed areas of the field and the speed to hit narrow lanes around the LOS. Jackson leads Lincoln's rushing attack with 94 carries for 600+ yards and 15 TDs on the season. The junior RB continues to put himself on the 2025 radar with a strong playoff debut.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65536eea24004"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SDFNLMagazine/status/1723165773328236653","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/SDFNLMagazine/status/1723165773328236653 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["683640"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Roberts set a physical tone in the run game from his ILB spot. He and DT Eugene Rice consistently plugged holes at the LOS and made running room difficult to find between the OTs for RB u003cstrongu003eKevinu003c/strongu003e u003cstrongu003eAllenu003c/strongu003e. He's exceptional at engaging blockers with his hands/reach, scanning the backfield for ball-carriers, and shedding violently to make plays on the football. He plays with the type of violent edge ideal for a D-I ILB and shows persistent motor to the ball. Roberts is one of the top DPOY candidates in San Diego with 130+ tackles, 26 TFLs, and 3 sacks on the season. He leads one of the top defenses in SoCal heading into the Open-Division championship this weekend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65536eea2408c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KUSIPPR/status/1723259031962460325","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/1723259031962460325 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780325"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Purnell accounted for two turnovers in Lincoln's win: forcing a fumble that was recovered by LB u003cstrongu003eMicahu003c/strongu003e u003cstrongu003eValenzuela u003c/strongu003eand making an acrobatic INT. He showed great body control and ball skills adjusting to a tipped pass while running with a crossing route in man coverage. He's a talented cover-corner with length (6'1u0022170), is active in passing lanes on the perimeter, and tackles low and aggressive in the flat. Purnell picked up his third INT of the season vs. Helix and will look to continue the defensive playmaking during Lincoln's playoff run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65536eea2410e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CammPurnell3/status/1723449872895074729","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/CammPurnell3/status/1723449872895074729 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->