The Chula Vista High School football team has reversed field and now sports a two-game winning streak after kicking off the 2017 prep pigskin season with a pair of non-league losses.
The Spartans’ home field 28-7 non-league win Friday over the cross-town rival Castle Park Trojans evened Chula Vista’s record at 2-2. The Trojans remained winless on the season at 0-4.
“We were able to establish a run game, that’s our strength right now,” CVHS head coach Howard Bannister said in regard to assessing the keys to Friday’s victory. “As the game progressed, we were able to do a little bit of passing. Our quarterback is starting to develop; we’re proud of him, he’s a great runner.
“Our defense held them in check for the most part. We gave up some drives. We bent but we didn’t give it up when they were inside the 10-, 20-yard line. We bent a little but didn’t break.”
The Spartans overcame some early adversity after fumbling the game’s opening kick-off.
Edwin Lozano recovered the loose ball to set the visitors in motion at the CV 20-yard line. The Trojans inched the ball forward and appeared to settle for a short field goal by Eleazar Cruz. But a penalty gave Castle Park a first down and a new set of downs at the two-yard line.
Cruz, playing quarterback, took the ball in on the next play and then supplied the point-after touchdown kick conversion to put his team up 7-0.
The Spartans rallied by scoring the next four touchdowns in the game.
Ubaldo Nolasco caught a scoring pass on third-and-eight as the hosts promptly marched the length of the field on their next possession. The successful extra point tied the game 7-7.
The Spartans were back knocking on the door after Lorenzo Matos intercepted a pass and Eddie Barajas ripped off a long gain to move the ball to the Trojan 35-yard line.
Several carries later by Kajahan Duncan, the ball was positioned at the one-yard line. Duncan finished the drive with a touchdown run to give his team the lead it would not relinquish the rest of the game.
CV quarterback Darrion Hamilton made some big carries in the game, shredding the CP defense on one 56-yard run. He scored the Spartans’ third touchdown of the game on a 29-yard scamper and then completed a two-point conversion pass to put his team up 21-7.
Nolasco scored on a five-yard pass play with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter to up the score to 28-7 and complete scoring in the game.
Besides Duncan (13 carries, 136 yards) and Barajas (three carries, 44 yards), Victor Agraz )seven carries, 56 yards) also helped buttress the CV rushing attack that totaled 398 yards.
Hamilton finished the game with 155 total yards — 103 rushing and 52 passing. He rushed for one TD and threw for two scores.
Despite being outscored 28-0 in the game, the Trojans did have their moments. Castle Park recovered two Spartan fumbles and also recorded two interceptions.
Chris Wright also had a fumble recovery while Joel Torres and Chris Arana each made picks. Arana returned his pick about half the length of the field to place the ball in prime scoring position.
However, the Chula Vista defense held on fourth down inside the five-yard line to regain possession of the ball.
Besides for neighborhood bragging rights – the two west side Chula Vista schools have played each other in football since 1963 – Friday’s game was also important for another reason: it paired two teams jockeying for position in the San Diego Section Division IV playoffs at the end of the season.
CP coach Bernard Ansolabehere said he remains proud of his team’s effort.
“I think we’re doing fine,” he said after Friday’s game. “We started way behind and we’re catching up. We’ve got a bunch of kids who are working their tail off. I’m real lucky to have a group of guys who are fighting every game the way they do, and that includes the coaches.
“When you fight like that, anything can happen. We’re improving every game, we’ll be there.”
Chula Vista next plays the winless Bonita Vista Barons (0-4) next Friday at Southwestern College while Castle Park hosts neighborhood rival Hilltop (1-3).
Prep Football Scoreboard
Non-League
Friday, Sept. 15
Chula Vista 28, Castle Park 7
Olympian 56, Hilltop 6
Eastlake 32, Grossmont 19
Mar Vista 34, Coronado 10
St. Augustine 19, Otay Ranch 14
San Diego 41, Montgomery 0
Kearny 59, Southwest 28
Vincent Memorial 49, San Ysidro 14
Point Loma 50, Bontia Vista 0
Lincoln 66, Sweetwater 0
Victory Christian Academy 48, Warner Springs 0
Ocean View Christian Academy defeats St. Joseph Academy by forfeit
San Diego Section
Unbeaten Teams
Mission Hills Grizzlies 4-0
Madison Warhawks 4-0
La Costa Canyon Mavericks 4-0
San Marcos Knights 4-0
Kearny Komets 4-0
Vincent Memorial Scots 4-0
Crawford Colts 4-0
Mira Mesa Marauders 4-0
University City Centurions 4-0
Central Union Spartans 4-0
Southwest El Centro Eagles 4-0
Ramona Bulldogs 4-0
Christian Patriots 4-0
San Diego Cavers 3-0
Bishop’s Knights 3-0
Maranatha Christian Eagles 3-0
San Diego Section
Playoff Tracker
Division I
Eastlake Titans 3-1
Olympian Eagles 3-1
Bonita Vista Barons 0-4
Division II
Otay Ranch Mustangs 2-2
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders 1-2
Division III
Mar Vista Mariners 2-2
Hilltop Lancers 1-3
Division IV
Chula Vista Spartans 2-2
Sweetwater Red Devils 0-3
Castle Park Trojans 0-4
Division V
San Ysidro Cougars 3-1
Montgomery Aztecs 2-2
Southwest Raiders 0-4
Eight-Man
Victory Christian Academy 1-1
Ocean View Christian Academy 1-1
