SAN MARCOS – Locked in a scoreless tie going into halftime, it looked like the Mission Hills-El Camino first round playoff matchup last night was destined to be a grueling defensive struggle.

But fortunately for the fans at Jack Ashby Stadium, the Grizzlies had other ideas. The home team exploded for 28 points in the third quarter, with Eddie Nuckols scoring touchdowns on offense and defense, to top the visiting Wildcats 28-14.

“That's the first time I've done that,” said the 300-pound defensive tackle. “It was exciting. I got the opportunity and I took it.”

The win vaults the Grizzlies into the San Diego Section Division I quarterfinals against No. 3-seed Poway, which had a first-round bye.

The Mission Hills' offense sputtered in the first half, gaining only 68 total yards. The Grizzlies' offensive woes were caused in part by the loss of star running back Eddy Sihavong, who re-aggravated a left ankle injury on the team's first possession and never returned.

“That poor kid,” Mission Hills head coach Chris Hauser said. “We've got to look out for his overall well-being now. It's unfortunate. He's a great running back.”

In Sihavong's absence, the Grizzlies had seven other backs carry the ball. Zach McMaster led with just 18 yards.

The Mission Hills defense ignited the team with a fumble recovery deep in El Camino territory on the Wildcats' first drive of the second half. Quarterback D.J. Zapata capitalized with a 27-yard drive, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown pass to Nigel Westbrooks, who caught two TDs.

After throwing for just 36 yards in the first half, Zapata racked up 93 yards and two scores in the second.

“(The offensive line) gave me enough time and we got the ball rolling,” Zapata said. “It shows how much unity we have. We have a lot of injuries, but we still made it happen.”

The Grizzlies scored again on their next drive, which ended with a 5-yard TD run by Nuckols. The big lineman got into the end zone again less than 10 seconds later, as El Camino quarterback Colin Jones fumbled the ball, which Nuckols recovered and took 19 yards to the end zone.

El Camino made a bid for a comeback late in the fourth quarter, as Ryan Ena caught a pair of touchdown passes from Jones. But an onside try was recovered by the Grizzlies in the final minute.

“We were real confident at halftime,” Hauser said. “And we came out and answered the bell in the second half.”