The following is from the article from The San Diego Union-Tribune, “Cathedral Catholic routs Granite Hills in showdown between two of county’s best teams.”

EL CAJON — Cathedral Catholic quarterback Brady Palmer had plenty to work with on Friday night, and he made the most of it. Surrounded by a talented group of receivers, running backs, and tight ends, Palmer led the No. 2-ranked Dons to a dominant 52-6 win over No. 3 Granite Hills in a non league game.

Palmer, who completed 9 of 12 passes for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns, was quick to share credit, praising both his offensive weapons and the team’s defense. “Our defense is amazing,” Palmer said. “We have some amazing players on offense, but the defense is the reason we’re where we are.”

The Cathedral Catholic defense smothered a Granite Hills team that had been averaging 39.6 points per game, holding them to just six. Granite running back Max Turner managed only 24 yards on 13 carries, while quarterback Zac Benitez was under constant pressure, completing 12 of 22 passes for 106 yards. Dons defensive linemen Sidney Dupuy and Luke Westfall recorded two sacks each, with Westfall earning high praise from defensive coordinator John Montali: “Honestly, I think Westfall is the best defensive lineman in the county.”

On offense, Palmer had no shortage of playmakers. Transfers Hunter Harrington, Honor Faalave-Johnson, and Parker Johnson, all from St. Augustine, made their long-awaited debuts after sitting out the first five games. Their impact was immediate. Johnson hauled in three catches for 60 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown, while Faalave-Johnson rushed five times for 39 yards and returned an interception 44 yards for a score.

The Dons’ offense rolled up 415 total yards—204 passing and 196 rushing—with 11 different players carrying the ball and 7 players catching passes. Running back Willam Flores led the rushing attack with 65 yards on 13 carries, while Harrington, a Stanford baseball commit, had three receptions for 61 yards.

Granite Hills took an early 3-0 lead on a 44-yard field goal by Trent Willock, but it was all Cathedral Catholic from there. The Dons exploded for 35 points in the second quarter. Palmer threw touchdown passes to Michael Diltz and Johnson, scrambled for a 15-yard score, and watched as Faalave-Johnson and Johnson added a pair of special teams and defensive touchdowns. Faalave-Johnson returned an interception for a touchdown, while Johnson raced 56 yards down the sideline on a punt return.

“We have so many weapons,” Faalave-Johnson said. “We can run the ball. We can throw the ball. Sitting out, waiting to get eligible has made us hungry. Teams are going to feel us down the stretch.”

With an undefeated record of 6-1, Cathedral Catholic is making it clear they are a team to watch as the season progresses.

Cathedral Catholic 52, Granite Hills 6

Cathedral Catholic   7    35   3    7 –  52  
Granite Hills             3     3    0    0 –   6

GH — FG Willock 44
CC — Tucker 16 pass from Palmer (Eastlack kick)
CC — Diltz 16 pass from Palmer (Eastlack kick)
CC — Johnson 44 pass from Palmer  (Eastlack kick)
GH — Willock 42 FG
CC — Palmer 15 run (Eastlack kick)
CC — Faalave 44 interception return (Eastlack kick)
CC — Johnson 56 punt return (Eastlack kick)
CC — Eastlack 25 FG
CC — Grunsky 1 run (Yrigoyen kick)