Odds are El Capitan High School safety Tyler Easley won’t be paying for many fast-food meals in the near future. With less than a minute to play and the Vaqueros leading Westview 17-14 in the CIF San Diego Section Division 2 championship game Friday, Easley intercepted a fluttering pass at the El Cap 35 to clinch the Vaqueros’ title.

After sprinting off the field, Easley, a team captain, looked into the El Cap stands and pointed to his left ring finger, indicating he’d soon be sized for a championship ring.

“That’s my captain,” teammate Zach Langmo hollered after congratulating Easley.

Asked what went through his mind as the ball hung in the night air at Southwestern College’s Devore Stadium, Easley said, “Oh, no. I’ve got that.”

With El Cap’s offense kneeling down to run out the clock, lineman Ridley Keener told Easley, “You’re an El Cap legend!”

Easley thought for a moment, then to no one in particular said: “Dude, I’m famous now.”

Easley, Take II

After the game, Easley received El Cap’s CIF Sportsmanship Award, which is awarded to one player on each team after every championship game.

Size doesn’t matter

The smallest player on the field in either of Friday’s championship games, Westview’s 5-foot-4, 130-pound Miles Miranda, turned in one of the game’s biggest moments. On a play Westview added to its offense just this week, Miranda leaked out of the backfield, caught a pass in the flats and booked down the sideline for a 49-yard touchdown catch.

Miranda, a sophomore, also returns kickoffs and plays on the punt coverage team.

Asked how he plays so big at his small size, Miranda, who can squat 225 pounds, said, “I just work. I know I can take a hit. I think I’m at the same level as everyone else.”

Making his own name

Mason Walsh was a two-time Masters Meet champion at 190 pounds for Carlsbad High School. He was also an All-CIF running back who graduated last spring and went on to the Air Force Academy.

Westview’s Mason Walsh was an unusual two-way starter for the Wolverines, at quarterback and safety. He completed 4 of 9 passes for 78 yards, one touchdown and one interception against El Cap.

As for sharing his name with the former Carlsbad standout, Westview’s Mason Walsh said, “I think tonight I made my own legacy with the Mason Walsh name.”

Heart of the matter

If Trevor Colbert had his druthers, he’d have been dressed in Poway’s green and white uniform for the Titans’ CIF San Diego Section Division 2 championship game against Mater Dei Catholic.

But three open heart surgeries by the time he was 4 limited Colbert’s physical activity.

“Basically,” said Trevor’s mother, Stacey, “only half his heart works.”

But Trevor’s love of football runs deep, so the senior represents the Titans as a manager who’s more like a 17-year-old assistant coach. He helps with equipment, makes sure players are ready to be subbed, assists the “look” or “scout” teams in practice and sits in on Saturday scouting meetings.

Colbert has worked with the football program for four years, plus assisted a fifth- and sixth-grade flag football team.

“I’ve always enjoyed watching (football) on TV, seeing the ball get thrown really far,” he said. “Just some of the cool plays teams run.”

“He has never placed limitations on himself,” his mom said. “He looks for opportunities to be involved.”

He said it

“They love him. They’re very defensive of him. He gets a lot of respect on the field.” — Poway coach Brandon Harris, on Colbert

Boujeee foodie

Harris, Poway’s coach, works in the school’s special education cuisine program.

“I love the grill. I love to cook. I love to eat,” he said. “I’m a little boujeee foodie.”

The culinary program teaches math skills via recipe measurements and English lessons by discussing regions where food and seasonings originate.

Harris on why he enjoys working in special education: “I think everyone deserves the opportunity to learn at their pace and space they’re comfortable with, so they can thrive and not be typecast or vilified or marginalized over things they have no control over.”

Oh say, can she sing

One of the biggest rounds of applause all afternoon and evening was reserved for El Capitan sophomore Rylee Cunning, who delivered a stirring rendition of the national anthem before the Division 4 title game.

As she walked off the field, Cunning was stopped by least five fans who wanted to shake her hand or compliment her performance.

When asked what was the biggest venue where she’s performed the national anthem, Cunning gave an answer you’d expect for a 15-year-old from El Cap: “The Lakeside Rodeo.”