From the days of Reggie Bush until now, the Helix Highlanders have relied on the run.

That held true for the No. 3-seeded Highlanders Friday night in a CIF-San Diego Section Division 2 quarterfinal matchup against No. 6 La Jolla.

Helix senior running back Pablo Jackson ran the ball 21 times for 275 yards with four touchdowns to fuel the Scotties to a 41-25 victory over the Vikings.

“Helix football is known to have a great running back every year and Im glad to be one of those to come in and just continue that,” Jackson said. “I wouldnt be able to do it without my line because my linemen move. They move everybody in front of them. We establish the run, and it just opens up everything for our wide receivers.”

Jackson had two touchdowns in each of the middle quarters. He ran it in from 10 and 14 yards on each of Helix’s two offensive drives in the third quarter.

After a big 20-yard run for his first burst of the night, Jackson scored his first touchdown from 14 yards out on the ensuing play to give the Scotties a 14-10 lead in the second quarter.

After La Jolla marched down the field for a touchdown of their own to take the lead, Jackson found the end zone again, this time on a 66-yard scamper.

“Pablo is one of the best backs in our county by far,” Jones said. “Our O-line is starting to impose themselves, and they play with a good physicality. I love it and thats our identity. Were going to run the ball and make plays in the perimeter when we get the opportunity.”

Overall, the two teams combined to score touchdowns on four consecutive possessions in the second quarter.

That back-and-forth gave Helix (5-6) the energy going to the third quarter, leading to the 7-play, 68-yard touchdown drive, resulting in Jackson’s third touchdown of the evening from 10 yards out.

“That’s one of the reasons that you defer,” Jones said. “Then if you get that opportunity to score right before the half and then you get another ball, then you can get a little bit of momentum.”

It was actually the passing game that opened the scoring for the Highlanders. Senior quarterback Jett Gottlieb scrambled out of the pocket to his right and found senior Harlem Harris for a 78-yard touchdown.

Leading the way for the Vikings (7-5) was junior Carson Diehl, who caught a game-high 11 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. In addition, senior Hank Hansen had five receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a two-point conversion.

La Jolla junior quarterback Hudson Smith completed 17 of 27 passes for 197 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“I think their quarterback in their passing game is good,” Jones said. “I think their skill guys, (Hansen), (Diehl) are good players, and we knew that going into it. Its a challenge covering them, and they made plays.”

Next week, No. 3 Helix will take on the winner of No. 7 Mater Dei Catholic and No. 2 The Bishop’s School on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Div. 2 semifinals.

No. 3 Helix 41, No. 6 La Jolla 25

La Jolla – 3 14 8 0 25

Helix – 7 14 14 6 41

L – FG Figueiredo 30

H – Harris 78 pass from Gottleb (Laue kick)

L – Hansen 4 pass from Smith (Figueiredo kick)

H – Jackson 14 run (Laue kick)

L – Diehl 8 pass from Smith (Figueiredo kick)

H – Jackson 66 run (Laue kick)

H – Jackson 10 run (Laue kick)

L – Hansen 13 pass from Smith (Hansen run)

H – Lindley 8 run (kick failed)