Déjà vu struck on New Year’s Eve for Helix High alum Keionte Scott.
Scott, a San Diego native and cornerback at the University of Miami, intercepted Ohio State quarterback, Heisman Trophy finalist and Carlsbad alum Julian Sayin in the second quarter and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown, fueling No. 10 Miami’s 24-14 underdog win over No. 2 Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.
The play mirrored Scott’s pick-six of Sayin’s older brother, Aidan, in the 2019 CIF Open Division finals — a game Carlsbad went on to lose.
“It’s the same team we’ve been since the beginning. People are just getting to see it now and they’re starting to believe it,” Scott said after the game. “We’re just doing what we do. The same thing we do in practice is the same thing we’re going to do in the game. Being the Hurricanes that we are, we trust in the coaches and trust in each other.”
Keionte Scott pick 6 vs Aidan Sayin (Julian’s big bro) in the 2019 San Diego Open Division Championships looks familiar pic.twitter.com/pjGizEP494
— Tommy Morris (@realtommymorris) January 1, 2026
Sayin, named the Maxwell Football Club’s 2025 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year on Dec. 30, threw for 287 yards and a touchdown in the loss, but his two interceptions proved decisive. Under constant pressure from Miami’s stout pass rush, he acknowledged missed opportunities.
“I think there were some opportunities today where I could have maybe taken off and scrambled for some yards,” Sayin said, per Brianna MacKay of The Columbus Dispatch. “I took some sacks that weren’t necessary and got us into tougher situations. They have two really good edge rushers, so we knew we were going to get the ball out of our hand quick. There were times today where I held onto the football, and they were able to get after me and get some sacks.”
Ohio State finished its season 12-2. Miami also reached 12-2, advancing to the CFP semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8.
DIFFERENCE MAKER‼️#GoCanes | @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/bjHXTVpxyT
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 2, 2026
Checkdowns
Sayin wasn’t the only former Lancer in action on New Year’s Eve. One of his favorite targets at Carlsbad, Zack Marshall, took the field for Michigan in the Citrus Bowl against Texas. The Longhorns won 41-27, with Marshall recording one reception for four yards.
“If it wasn’t for Ohio State and Michigan, we’d probably still be besties,” Marshall recently told the Coast News on his relationship with Sayin. “There’s obviously mutual respect — both of us coming from Carlsbad. I used to throw it with that kid, but that’s just the nature of the rivalry.”
Escondido coach steps down: In December, head football coach Stephen Dixon announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he was resigning from his position at Escondido High. Hired in 2023, Dixon’s Cougars went 2-9 this season and 12-23 over his three-year tenure. The program also made local headlines in November 2024 when a sideline brawl with Steele Canyon broke out, with Escondido seen as primarily at fault.
The Escondido Athletic Department did not respond to email requests for comment and assistant coaches declined to speak about the matter. Two-way senior standout Bowyn Cannon, who rushed for 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, told The Coast News:
“Dixon was a great coach, and I learned a lot of key lessons from him. I was surprised at first that he stepped down, but I’m appreciative I was able to play for him.”
In the post on X, Dixon wrote:
“I’m extremely grateful God allowed me to be a part of Escondido High School and serve as their head coach. I want to personally thank Principal Jacobs and the administration for the opportunity to help be a leader on campus. With that said, I am stepping down. To my players and their families: I love you, and you all hold a special place in my heart. No matter what’s next in my life, know that I will always carry you loyal, strong, and true in my heart. God bless you all.”
Escondido, Mission Hills and El Camino now have head-coaching vacancies heading into the 2026 season.
La Costa Canyon adds QB transfer: Parker Armstrong (class of 2027) is transferring from Scripps Ranch. Armstrong threw 10 touchdowns over two varsity seasons at Scripps Ranch. The move bolsters the Mavericks as they prepare to replace standout Quinn Roth, who is graduating.
Oceanside Bombers hold open tryouts: The Oceanside Bombers, an expansion team set to debut at Frontwave Arena in the 2026 AF1 season — the highest tier of indoor football — held open tryouts on Dec. 27.
The Bombers will be the only AF1 team sharing a market — and arena — with an existing indoor football franchise. The San Diego Strike Force of the Indoor Football League currently holds the lease on Frontwave Arena through 2027.
