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This season Mission Hills doesn’t have the size or experience of last year’s team that made it all the way to the Division II final. So far that hasn’t mattered as the Grizzlies are off to a 2-0 start.
“We’re not a program that goes, ‘This is what you are going to do period. Good luck.’ We adapt to what our kids can do,” said Mission Hills head coach Chris Hauser.
For this year’s Grizzles, offensive adaptation has included more passing and misdirection. An emphasis on the passing game means senior quarterback DJ Zapata will be critical to the team’s success. Through two games, Zapata is 21-for-33 with 315 yards passing.
On defense, Hauser considers his club more of a “fly around team” than in years past.
“Not so much that we’re just going to line up and knock you backwards. I think we’re going to do some things to put ourselves in positions to make plays by movement and sprinting to the football,” Hauser said.
After a successful season in Division II last year, the Grizzlies are now in Division I. Realignment places them in an Avocado League that features fellow unbeatens La Costa Canyon and Escondido. This jump, however, doesn’t seem to be a concern.
“I think it’s a good step for our school and I think we’re ready for it. I think we’re very well-coached and we can compete with any team out there,” Zapata said.
Hauser said the change in divisions won’t be visible until the playoffs. He also said that there is little difference between the top two divisions in the county.
“I think because of Helix and Oceanside in Division II and Lincoln on the verge and Eastlake dropping to Division II this year, they’re pretty equal. It’s going to be a grind regardless,” Hauser said.
Mission Hills opened the season on Sept. 5 with a 27-14 home win over Temecula’s Great Oak. But their biggest win thus far is their 26-14 win at San Marcos last Friday, a win that means bragging rights in their city.
“It’s just a pride thing knowing that we got the job done against our rivals,” Zapata said.
Hauser said the Grizzlies’ win over San Marcos on the football field will benefit the other sports teams at Mission Hills.
“That’s the kind of stuff that follows you to the basketball season, to the baseball season, to the wrestling season, to the track and field season,” Hauser said.
On Friday the Grizzlies faces their toughest test to this point when Eastlake (1-1) pays a visit. Eastlake’s loss came to Oceanside in their season opener and the Titans took down Torrey Pines on the road last Friday.
“They’re monsters. They’re big, they’re fast and we’re not that type of team currently,” Hauser said. “Matchup-wise they definitely have the part on paper right now.”
In addition to their size advantage, Eastlake features two-way star Tony Jefferson, who has turned heads across the county early on this season. It will be a battle of contrasting styles, with Mission Hills needing to keep Eastlake off-balance to have success.
“I think we’re going to be able to surprise them a little bit with our speed and stretch them out a little,” Zapata said.
After hosting Eastlake, Mission Hills will take on Chula Vista at Otay Ranch High School on Sept. 26. The Grizzlies close out the preseason at home against Carlsbad on Oct. 3.
This season Mission Hills doesn’t have the size or experience of last year’s team that made it all the way to the Division II final. So far that hasn’t mattered as the Grizzlies are off to a 2-0 start.
“We’re not a program that goes, ‘This is what you are going to do period. Good luck.’ We adapt to what our kids can do,” said Mission Hills head coach Chris Hauser.
For this year’s Grizzles, offensive adaptation has included more passing and misdirection. An emphasis on the passing game means senior quarterback DJ Zapata will be critical to the team’s success. Through two games, Zapata is 21-for-33 with 315 yards passing.
On defense, Hauser considers his club more of a “fly around team” than in years past.
“Not so much that we’re just going to line up and knock you backwards. I think we’re going to do some things to put ourselves in positions to make plays by movement and sprinting to the football,” Hauser said.
After a successful season in Division II last year, the Grizzlies are now in Division I. Realignment places them in an Avocado League that features fellow unbeatens La Costa Canyon and Escondido. This jump, however, doesn’t seem to be a concern.
“I think it’s a good step for our school and I think we’re ready for it. I think we’re very well-coached and we can compete with any team out there,” Zapata said.
Hauser said the change in divisions won’t be visible until the playoffs. He also said that there is little difference between the top two divisions in the county.
“I think because of Helix and Oceanside in Division II and Lincoln on the verge and Eastlake dropping to Division II this year, they’re pretty equal. It’s going to be a grind regardless,” Hauser said.
Mission Hills opened the season on Sept. 5 with a 27-14 home win over Temecula’s Great Oak. But their biggest win thus far is their 26-14 win at San Marcos last Friday, a win that means bragging rights in their city.
“It’s just a pride thing knowing that we got the job done against our rivals,” Zapata said.
Hauser said the Grizzlies’ win over San Marcos on the football field will benefit the other sports teams at Mission Hills.
“That’s the kind of stuff that follows you to the basketball season, to the baseball season, to the wrestling season, to the track and field season,” Hauser said.
On Friday the Grizzlies faces their toughest test to this point when Eastlake (1-1) pays a visit. Eastlake’s loss came to Oceanside in their season opener and the Titans took down Torrey Pines on the road last Friday.
“They’re monsters. They’re big, they’re fast and we’re not that type of team currently,” Hauser said. “Matchup-wise they definitely have the part on paper right now.”
In addition to their size advantage, Eastlake features two-way star Tony Jefferson, who has turned heads across the county early on this season. It will be a battle of contrasting styles, with Mission Hills needing to keep Eastlake off-balance to have success.
“I think we’re going to be able to surprise them a little bit with our speed and stretch them out a little,” Zapata said.
After hosting Eastlake, Mission Hills will take on Chula Vista at Otay Ranch High School on Sept. 26. The Grizzlies close out the preseason at home against Carlsbad on Oct. 3.