Helix Nation Celebration: Families and Friends Share in Sweet Victory at the Q

The names of Helix coaches’ wives were shown on the scoreboard periodically at Friday night’s CIF Division II title game. Their support was crucial, of course. Long days and nights yielded the Highlanders’ first football crown in 10 years. But mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, cousins and friends—and assorted grandparents of players—also deserved their names in lights.  But no matter.  They saw their Scotties enjoy one of the most dominant victories in county history on a cool but comfy evening at Qualcomm Stadium. 

With Helix executive director Rani Goyal and district Superintendent Ralf Swenson among school leaders soaking up the atmosphere from the sidelines, the game was a celebration of youth and hard work.  As many as 500 members of the green-and-white Helix Nation turned out, viewing the game from what used to be the first-base side of the Padres ballpark. The school’s share of tickets—perhaps 200—sold out, said ASB adviser Kat Shaw.

Opposite them, also clad in green-and-white, were the Oceanside faithful.  (And the Poway Titans held to the theme with their own green-and-white victory in the Division I title game, beating Vista 56-0.)   The Helix season isn’t over, however. Still to come is an expected invitation to the CIF state championship bowl game Dec. 17 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, near Los Angeles. 

Another chance to show the power of the green.