The race for this year’s Metro-Pacific League football championship is really muddled at this point of the season. It seems likely the team that plays most consistently the final three weeks of the season will claim the league banner.
The Montgomery Aztecs played like champions last Friday night in capturing a 43-19 non-league road win at Francis Parker. The Aztecs finished their non-league schedule with a 4-3 record. They will take a 0-0 mark into Friday’s league opener against the visiting Southwest Raiders (2-5 overall).
Montgomery led Francis Parker, 14-13, at halftime but captured the win in decisive fashion by out-scoring the hosts 29-0 in the second half.
Hunter Joseph keyed the Aztecs on the field with his running ability. He scored on a 36-yard run to put the visitors up 7-0.
The Lancers (2-5 overall) would storm back with a pair of touchdowns to take a 13-7 lead, however.
Ryan Sanborn connected with John Gordon on a seven-yard touchdown pass to put the hosts on the scoreboard. Seamus Gallagher then blocked a kick that was recovered by teammate Russell Childs in the end zone for a second consecutive touchdown to put Francis Parker ahead by six points.
Montgomery rallied with 36 unanswered points.
Joseph scored the next two touchdowns for the visitors — from eight yards and then from 22 yards — to put the Aztecs ahead to stay.
Rahien Williams scored on a 40-yard interception return; Williams then scored on a 75-yard pick six.
Joseph finished the game with 175 rush yards, three rushing touchdowns and a 75-yard interception return.
The win was the second consecutive for Montgomery, which has now outscored its last two opponents 91-25.
Joseph is averaging 132.4 yards per game.
David Vargas is averaging 4.8 tackles per game while Devin Patterson is averaging 4.6.
San Ysidro at Castle Park
The defending league champion Cougars enter Friday’s game with a four-game losing streak after starting the season with a three-game winning streak.
The string of four losses dropped San Ysidro to 3-4 in non-league play. The Cougars lost, 30-0, to visiting Sweetwater in their last trip to the gridiron on Oct. 6.
Castle Park is 0-7 but looking for renewed fortunes with the start of league play.
Both the Cougars and Trojans are coming off a bye week.
Prep Football Scoreboard
Friday, Oct. 13
Metro-Mesa League
Otay Ranch 35, Olympian 23
Mater Dei Catholic 21, Bonita Vista 0
Non-League
Mar Vista 41, Southwest 8
Montgomery 43, Francis Parker 19
Granite Hills 34, Hilltop 20
Eight Man
Julian 46, Ocean View Christian Academy 0
Horizon Prep 44, Victory Christian Acadmey 34
Saturday, Oct. 14
Non-League
Vincent Memorial 36, Sweetwater 26
Friday, Oct. 20
Metro-Mesa League
Mater Dei Catholic at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Otay Ranch vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
Metro-South Bay League
Mar Vista at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
Hilltop at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.
Metro-Pacific League
San Ysidro at Castle Park, 7 p.m.
Southwest at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
San Diego Section
Playoff Tracker
Division I
Eastlake Titans 5-2
Olympian Eagles 4-4
Bonita Vista Barons 0-8
Division II
Otay Ranch Mustangs 5-3
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders 4-3
Division III
Mar Vista Mariners 5-2
Hilltop Lancers 3-4
Division IV
Chula Vista Spartans 4-3
Sweetwater Red Devils 3-4
Castle Park Trojans 0-7
Division V
Montgomery Aztecs 4-3
San Ysidro Cougars 3-4
Southwest Raiders 2-5
Eight-Man
Victory Christian Academy 2-3
Ocean View Christian Academy 3-3
San Diego Section
Unbeaten Teams
Division I
Mission Hills Grizzlies 7-0
Division II
Ramona Bulldogs 7-0
Bishop’s Knights 6-0
Division III
Southwest El Centro Eagles 7-0
Division IV
San Diego Cavers 7-0
