In short: Helix Scotties high school football (La Mesa, CA), 2026 season: 7-2. Last game: W 42-14 vs Steele Canyon on October 23, 2026. Next: vs Granite Hills, October 30, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
The number to watch when Helix meets Granite Hills is Helix's scoring. Helix averaged 20.0 points per game over its first 5 games (3-2), #63 in Section in that timeframe. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (4-0), the Scotties have averaged 45.5 points per game, a 127% rise, #5 in Section in that window. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Helix's last 4 opponents have averaged 31.9 points per game, a #78 scoring defense in Section on the season, against 17.5 points per game, #21 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (31.9 points per game), Helix scored 42% more than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #35 in Section, well below the first 5 (#11), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Conversely, Granite Hills' defense has been one of Section's better units in recent weeks. The Eagles have allowed 13.8 points per game over their last 4 games (4-0), #16 in Section during that time. Those games came against a middle-of-the-pack set of offenses in Section (26.7 points per game on the season, which would rank #41). Against those norms, Granite Hills held those offenses 49% below what they usually score. Something has to give when Helix's surging offense meets one of Section's better units in Granite Hills'. Helix is 6-0 this season when it scores 23 or more, and 1-2 when it doesn't.
The turnover battle could decide Helix's next game, against Granite Hills, and the recent returns favor Helix. Helix forced 0.8 takeaways per game over its first 5 games (3-2), #63 in Section through those games. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (4-0), the Scotties have forced 1.8 takeaways per game, a 119% rise, #21 in Section through that stretch. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Helix's last 4 opponents have averaged 1.4 per game, a #64 offense in Section on the season, against 0.8 per game, #20 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.4 per game), Helix forced 25% more turnovers than those offenses usually give up. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #35 in Section, well below the first 5 (#11), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Conversely, Granite Hills' ball security has been one of Section's better units in recent weeks. The Eagles have committed 0.8 giveaways per game over their last 4 games (4-0), #16 in Section over that stretch. Those games came against a middle-of-the-pack set of defenses in Section (1.4 per game on the season, which would rank #38). Against those norms, Granite Hills turned it over 48% less than those defenses usually force. Something has to give when Helix's surging defense meets one of Section's better units in Granite Hills'.
NOTES
The biggest shift in Helix's season has come in its ground game. Helix averaged 4.1 yards per carry (445 yards on 109 rushes) over its first 4 games (3-1), #72 in Section within that period. In the 5 games since that slow start (4-1), the Scotties have averaged 7.0 yards per carry (683 yards on 97 rushes), a 72% rise, #26 in Section across those games. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Helix's last 5 opponents have averaged 6.0 yards per carry, a #58 run defense in Section on the season, against 4.1 yards per carry, #11 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.0 yards per carry), Helix ran for 17% more per carry than those run defenses usually allow. On the season, Helix ranks #50 in Section in rushing. Granite Hills' run defense sits in the middle of the pack, #55 in Section (6.0 yards per carry).
The Scotties averaged 5.7 yards per play (968 yards on 170 snaps) over their first 4 games (3-1), #61 in Section during those games. Few teams started slower in this department, and few have turned it around as sharply since. In the 5 games since that slow start (4-1), Helix has averaged 8.5 yards per play (1,383 yards on 162 snaps), a 50% rise, #17 in Section during that period. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Helix's last 5 opponents have averaged 7.5 yards per play, a #69 defense in Section on the season, against 5.5 yards per play, #15 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (7.5 yards per play), Helix gained 14% more per snap than those defenses usually allow. On the season, the Scotties rank #34 in Section in yards per play. Granite Hills' defense sits in the middle of the pack, #55 in Section (7.0 yards per play).
Helix's run defense from the opening weeks has gone missing since. Helix allowed 3.9 yards per carry (327 yards on 84 rushes) over its first 3 games (2-1), #17 in Section during that stretch. In the 6 games since that hot start (5-1), the Scotties have allowed 5.8 yards per carry (817 yards on 140 rushes), a 50% rise, #49 in Section over that period. The schedule doesn't explain it: the opponents in both stretches have averaged about 6.7 yards per carry on the season. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.5 yards per carry), Helix held those rushing attacks 11% below their usual yards per carry. By that measure, the early pace looks more like the outlier than the recent one. Overall, those opponents have been strong teams: their average SP Strength Index rating would rank #18 in Section. On the season, Helix ranks #33 in Section in run defense. Granite Hills' ground game, #83 of 89 (3.5 yards per carry), could be the get-right matchup Helix needs.
Something changed for Helix's defense after the first 5 games of the season. The Scotties allowed 20.4 points per game over their first 5 games (3-2), #31 in Section over that timeframe. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (4-0), Helix has allowed 12.0 points per game, a 41% drop, #13 in Section over that span. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Helix's last 4 opponents have averaged 26.0 points per game, a #41 offense in Section on the season, against 33.8 points per game, #13 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (26.0 points per game), Helix held those offenses 54% below what they usually score. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #35 in Section, well below the first 5 (#11), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, the Scotties rank #18 in Section in scoring defense. That form gets a real test against Granite Hills, whose offense ranks #16 in Section (32.9 points per game).
One of Helix's most reliable areas lately has been its pass defense. Helix allowed 5.5 yards per pass attempt (611 yards on 112 attempts) over its first 5 games (3-2), #14 in Section in that timeframe. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (4-0), the Scotties have allowed 4.4 yards per pass attempt (359 yards on 82 attempts), a 20% drop, #8 in Section in that window. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Helix's last 4 opponents have averaged 7.9 yards per attempt, a #44 passing attack in Section on the season, against 9.4 yards per attempt, #17 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (7.9 yards per attempt), Helix held those passing attacks 45% below their usual yards per attempt. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #35 in Section, well below the first 5 (#11), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, Helix ranks #7 in Section in pass defense. Granite Hills' passing game sits in the middle of the pack, #32 in Section (8.6 yards per attempt).
TIDBITS (12 found)
• Club Helix has won 4 straight, and a win would make it 5 in a row. The last time they won 5 or more in a row was 2023, a run of 8.
• Club Helix has gone 16 straight games committing fewer than 3 turnovers (September 26, 2025 through October 23, 2026), going 10-6 over that stretch, a school-record 16 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Helix has gone 9 straight games holding the opponent under 7.0 yards per play (August 21, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 7-2 over that stretch, a school-record 9 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Helix has gone 8 straight games holding the opponent under 8.0 yards per attempt (August 28, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 7-1 over that stretch, a school-record 8 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Helix has gone 8 straight games holding the opponent under 200 passing yards (August 28, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 7-1 over that stretch, a school-record 8 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Helix is 20-2 all time when scoring 40+ points. Helix's last loss when scoring 40+ points was October 20, 2023 against Granite Hills (L, 43-44).
• Club Helix is 14-2 all time when holding the opponent under 100 rushing yards. Helix's last loss when holding the opponent under 100 rushing yards was October 17, 2025 against Granite Hills (L, 14-40).
• Player Caden Thompson has gone 7 straight games throwing a touchdown pass, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Stephon Fuentes has 309 rushing yards over his last 3 games (103.0 a game, September 25, 2026 through October 9, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Stephon Fuentes has 5 rushing touchdowns over his last 3 games (1.7 a game, September 25, 2026 through October 9, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Jeremy Robinson has 4 touchdown catches over his last 3 games (1.3 a game, September 25, 2026 through October 9, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Jacob Andrew-johnson has never had a game recording 100+ receiving yards for Helix, over a 15-game career on record. His career high is 76, set November 14, 2025 against Steele Canyon (L, 19-22).
MILESTONE WATCH
Helix
Denzel Griffin needs 0 sacks for 5 (averaging 0.6 a game)
Win chances are the site's own game projections where one is on file, otherwise the SP Strength Index gap with a small home edge. The realistic range covers 80% of outcomes (10th to 90th percentile).
Every player with a stat on file, listed only where he has one. Open the arrow beside a name for his game-by-game line. Stats through the Oct 9 game; last updated Oct 20; roster and numbers checked Sep 10.
Click a column heading to sort. MIN hides players below that many attempts.
PPG/OPP PPG use every played game on file. YPG/PLAYS-PER-GAME columns only ever come from games with a full box score on file, which can be a smaller sample than GP -- see the coverage note below when that's the case for this team.
Averages use only games with that number on file (offense 8/9, sacks/INT 8/9, sacks allowed 8/9 games). SACKS ALW comes from the opponent's box score; TO FORCED is takeaways; TO MAR is takeaways minus giveaways, and its bottom cell is the season total. Dashes mean not on file.
UNIT INDEX
Pass Offense: grade 54.7/100 (-5 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 68.6/100 (+33 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 87.6/100 (-68 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 81.6/100 (-72 yds/gm vs average)
Unit grades: 0-100 league percentile, opponent-curved (two-way solve over current + past seasons, recency-weighted). Composite counts yardage, efficiency vs league YPA/YPC (50% tilt), and negative plays at sack=7yd, INT=45yd, TFL=4yd -- adjustable v1 constants.
OPPONENT TRACKER
(full explanation: Appendix, Note 2)
DATE
SITE
OPPONENT
THEIR RECORD
THEIR PPG
2026-10-30
vs
GRANITE HILLS
7-2
32.9
LAST YEAR
HEL finished 2025 at 5-7. Made the playoffs (2 postseason game(s) on file; exact round/result not available). Notable win: 39-34 over STEELE CANYON (STEELE CANYON finished 69% that season). Toughest loss: 19-22 to STEELE CANYON (3-point margin).
HEL's defense has averaged 1.7 takeaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 33-game average is 1.0 takeaways per game. (+62%)
HEL's defense has averaged 11.3 points allowed per game over their last 3 games. Their 33-game average is 26.5 points allowed per game. (-57%)
HEL's defense has averaged 94.6 pass yards per game over their last 7 games. Their 33-game average is 167.1 pass yards per game. (-43%)
HEL's defense has averaged 4.7 YPA over their last 7 games. Their 33-game average is 7.9 YPA. (-40%)
HEL's defense has averaged 226.1 total yards per game over their last 7 games. Their 33-game average is 293.0 total yards per game. (-23%)
(moved to the Appendix, Data Export 1, to keep this section shorter -- the full spreadsheet-paste table is there unchanged)
APPENDIX
Full-length explanations and full-size data exports for the shortened notes and relocated tables referenced throughout this report, numbered in the order their pointers appear above.
Explanatory Notes
Note 1 -- SEASON OUTLOOK
Every remaining game is projected from schedule-adjusted ratings; already-played games carry their real result. Records are simulated distributions, not a single guess -- MOST LIKELY FINAL is the single most probable record and its own probability, PROJECTED RECORD is the season's expected win total expressed in record form (an average across every simulated outcome, so it can land on a fraction of a game).
Note 2 -- OPPONENT TRACKER -- why some cards have no record shown
Only meaningful for an opponent who is ALSO a tracked team in the library -- an opponent with no games on file here at all shows the date and site alone.
Note 3 -- MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS -- how a number is scored
Every split this report computes is scored on four weighted criteria and the top 5 per team are listed. In Cooper's own weighting order: (1) the WIN% attached to the condition, counted only when the condition has occurred at least 8 times -- a smaller sample is dropped outright, not discounted; (2) the PPG attached to it, with higher better on offense and lower better on defense, and each side normalized against its own kind so a defensive number competes with defensive numbers rather than against scoring averages; (3) how far the number sits from the OPPONENT's on the same condition, across win%, PPG and how often the condition happens at all; and (4) where it falls among every other team previously run through this workbook and cached. Criteria 1 and 2 measure how strong a number is; 3 and 4 measure how much it distinguishes this team. Weights: win_pct 40%, ppg 27%, matchup 20%, pool 13%. See important_numbers.py.
Full Data Exports
Data Export 1 -- TRENDS — TAB-SEPARATED (10 columns)
Where HELIX (LA MESA) sits among 89 section teams on the two Unit Index composites -- Offense Grade 55.7, Defense Grade 65.5.
YARDS / PLAY ALLOWED: HELIX (LA MESA) VS THE SECTION
HELIX (LA MESA) ranks #11 of 82 section teams in yards per play allowed (4.78) -- a strength worth a look.
HELIX (LA MESA): SP STRENGTH INDEX BY SEASON
The program's index across 5 seasons on file -- 21.2 in 2022 to 15.1 in 2026.
These graphs were chosen by the program from this season's most notable numbers. Build your own -- any stat against any other, for any mix of teams, seasons or players, with a JPEG download -- in the Graph Builder.
