At this point of the season, it might seem like a long shot for the Mater Dei Crusaders to qualify for the San Diego Section Division IV playoffs but the Crusaders now have something in their favor toward that quest: a 28-13 victory over the likewise 1-4 Del Norte Nighthawks.
Last Friday’s homecoming win was Mater Dei’s first victory of the season and also the first varsity win for new head coach John Joyner.
Andrew Martinez scored on two one-yard runs to highlight the Crusaders’ effort against the Nighthawks, who never led in the game.
Cole Lewis got things rolling for the hosts by scoring on a four-yard run and Martinez then went in from a yard out to help stake Mater Dei to a 14-0 first quarter advantage.
Del Norte halved its deficit on a 15-yard pass from Derek Magill to Patrick Zeller but the Crusaders got that back on a 15-yard run by Joe Legrette with 6:30 left in the opening half.
The Nighthawks proved pesky, though, as Magill hooked up with Zeller again, this time from three yards out with 23 seconds left before halftime.
Following homecoming festivities and a lengthy fireworks tribute, the teams settled down for a defensive second half. Mater Dei scored the only touchdown of the second half as Martinez went into the end zone on another one-yarder, this time in the third quarter.
The final quarter was scoreless as the Crusaders, playing behind reserve quarterback Patrick Baynes the whole game due to an injury to starter Jack Fernandes, managed to maintain their two touchdown advantage on the scoreboard.
Magill finished the game with 230 passing yards. He was intercepted once by Martinez. George Liang led Del Norte with 50 rushing yards on five carries while Zeller pulled down 10 passes for 170 yards.
The Nighthawks hurt themselves with three offensive fumbles.
Mater Dei visits neighborhood rival Olympian (3-1) Friday before kicking off Mesa League play Oct. 15 against Bonita Vista at Southwestern College.
