SAN MARCOS -- What started out as a NASCAR race ended up as a heavyweight fight. The Poway High and Mission Hills football teams each scored on their first possession, but never came close to the end zone again as the Titans won 7-6 Friday night.

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"That was two great defenses that played their butts off," said Poway coach Damian Gonzalez after his No. 3-ranked Titans (2-0) held off the No. 4-ranked Grizzlies (1-1). "Mission Hills is one of the best defenses in the county, so to come away with a win is great.

"It was exactly what we thought it would be -- a great defensive battle.

"I think you'll see Mission Hills in Qualcomm Stadium (in the CIF San Diego Section Division II finals). And I'm hoping we'll be there, too (in Division I)."

Poway made it look easy on the opening possession of the game, going 55 yards on seven plays for the score after Brett Thomas set the stage with a 40-yard kickoff return.

No one knew it at the time, but Collin Wooster's PAT would be the difference.

Mission Hills answered with a seven-play, 74-yard drive with Dante Potter's 36-yard run the big gainer. But the PAT failed.

"It's a shame we can't kick an extra point," said Mission Hills coach Chris Hauser. "The blame doesn't go to one person. I'm the head coach, and I take responsibility. Bit it's a shame this game isn't 7-7.

"Still, I've got to believe this was one of the better games in the county. It absolutely was two heavyweights slugging it out. That Poway defense is for real."

Poway's defense limited Mission Hills to 219 yards total offense --- 130 of those coming on 20 Potter rushes. And the Titans intercepted three passes --- one each by Jason Relyea, Michael Sowadski and the game-clincher with 41 seconds to play and Mission Hills at midfield by Thomas.

Poway was held to 209 yards of total offense --- 99 rushing on 42 carries and 110 passing by quarterback Tynan Murray, who completed his first eight passes, including two for 34 yards on the TD drive.

Mission Hills got four sacks from Frank Gaines and three from Vince Misa-Amituanai.

"Mission Hills has a phenomenal defense," Murray said. "We came out hot, then the defenses stepped up. It was exactly what we expected --- a great smash-mouth football game.

"This is a big step for me because I wasn't very good last week (6-for-14 for 54 yards in a win over Eastlake). And it was a big step for the team against a really good Mission Hills team."

Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.

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