Grossmont High School junior running back Damar Smith scored a 7-yard touchdown with 5:43 to put the Foothillers down two with 5:43 left in the game at Mira Mesa on Friday night.
That is when Grossmont head coach Anthony Lawrence went to an onside kick, which was recovered by Foothiller junior Kai Jones.
That set up a six-play 54-yard drive lasting 1:41 to regain the lead for Grossmont as senior Parker Vanderburgh caught a 39-yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead score in a a 32-28 victory at Mira Mesa.
"It was massive," Lawrence said of the onside kick. "That's really all we practice. We don't practice deep kicks We practice pooches and on-sides and (senior kicker Dylan Gary) came up big and changed the game."
After the touchdown, the Grossmont defense stepped up as junior defensive back Gage Weichelt made a game-ending interception with 2:26 left in the game to seal a game that was delayed by 30 minutes because of excessive heat.
Vanderburgh caught 10 passes for 133 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion to lead the Foothillers (2-1).
The Grossmont receiving show featured a second player in junior Noah Walker, who had seven receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Walker also recorded a crucial 41-yard reception on fourth-and 22 with 1:16 left in the first half. That play to extend the drive led to Vanderburgh's first touchdown from 17 yards out two plays later.
"Noah and Parker are insane," Lawrence said. "They're both FBS guys. Noah has a Colorado State offer and there hasn't been a DB in San Diego who can stick with Parker. He can run. He has good releases and good ball skills. Really grateful to have both those guys."
Walker and Vanderburgh were catching passes from senior quarterback Thomas Donovan, who completed 24 of 40 passes for 342 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Lawrence said Donovan has been dealing with an ankle injury since their first game.
"He'a dog. He's a tough player," Lawrence said of Donovan. "I think the world of him and I know he's a fighter. He is going to miss sometimes but he's going to come back and get it when it comes."
That interception proved to be costly as it led to Mira Mesa's first touchdown of the night. Senior quarterback Parker Rhea found senior receiver Amari Sanders from 28 yards out on fourth-and-5 to take a 7-6 lead early for the Marauders (0-2)
Sanders' 28-yard touchdown was part of a five-catch, 109-yard performance.
Rhea completed 11 of 27 passes for 166 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Mira Mesa had a two-headed running back room to pace the offense, in addition to Sanders.
Marauders senior running back Rhyder Lai had 24 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown while junior Max San Augustin recorded 15 carries for 70 yards.
Up next Grossmont has a bye before hosting Otay Ranch on Sept. 20 while Mira Mesa travels to La Costa Canyon Sept. 13.
G - Vanderburgh 17 pass from Donovan (Vanderburgh pass from Donovan)