LA MESA — Typically going for it on fourth downs is reserved for absolute necessity. For Helix High School, it’s an extra down they get to play with, and it worked to their advantage in a 20-13 win over Oceanside High School.

The Highlanders (3-1) decided to play on fourth down in 7 of their 10 opportunities and converted on 6 of those 7, including three times on one possession that ended up being the difference in the game.

“I believe in our guys and our guys just make plays. Caden [Thompson] did a good job of connecting on the long fourth downs down to [Jeremy Robinson] and then he makes some scramble plays,” coach Damaja Jones said.

Thompson finished a 20-play drive with a 3-yard run on fourth down after the Highlanders converted on two fourth-down conversions already, including a 4th-and-16 play that Thompson turned into a 17-yard run. That drive made up the majority of the second quarter and saw Helix take its first lead of the night.

“He did a really good job extending plays,” Jones said.

Thompson added to his already stellar night with a 43-yard connection to Jeremy Robinson on 4th-and-9 from midfield, which gave the Highlanders a two-possession lead in the fourth quarter.

Helix’s Stephon Fuentes ran for 23 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter which extended their lead, but a missed extra point attempt kept the Pirates within seven points of the lead.

The Pirates (1-3) got out to an early lead with a 6-play, 25-yard drive after a fumble by the kick returner gave them a short drive. Neke Letuli notched a 5-yard rushing touchdown to get the scoring started, and Oceanside led 6-0 after missing the extra point.

That was all the Pirates could muster against the Helix defense until a 82-yard drive in the fourth quarter put them within reach with two minutes to go. However, they were unable to get the onside kick successfully, which ended their hopes of coming back.

The Pirates’ best chance to score before that was squandered when Helix’s Jordan Fuga made an interception at the 36-yard line in the fourth quarter after Oceanside had gotten 25 yards on a 20-yard pass and 5-yard run. After a personal foul cost them 15 yards, the Pirates turned the ball over.

The final dagger came when Thompson, on 4th-and-7, scrambled to find an opening and rush to the sideline for a first down in the final minute.

Next week, Helix will host No. 3 Cathedral Catholic. The Pirates will stay on the road to play Leuzinger High School (Lawndale, Calif.).