In this corner stand the Eastlake Titans and in that corner stand the Otay Ranch Mustangs.
Which team stands ready to deliver the knockout punch to win this year’s Metro-Mesa League championship? That’s a question that will be answered on the field in Friday’s regular season finale between the league’s two heavyweight combatants.
Kick-off is 7 p.m. at Eastlake High School.
Both teams are 3-0 in league play.
The host Titans (8-1) enter the contest riding the crest of eight consecutive wins. They will need a ninth straight victory to wrestle the title from the defending league champion Mustangs (6-3).
Otay Ranch has won its last four games, including last Friday’s 34-0 victory against visiting Mater Dei Catholic.
Eastlake overcame a slow start to defeat host Olympian, 28-3, last Friday.
“This should be a great game,” Eastlake head coach John McFadden said. “Both teams have played some tough teams and both have had some ups and downs. We’ve both done equally as well in league.
“Lance Christensen and Judd Rachow do a great job (at Otay Ranch) and they are the defending league champs. Eastlake hasn’t beaten them the past two years, so it will be a big inspiration to get the league championship back. We have to control their quarterback and try to be more consistent offensively.”
The Titans enter Friday’s game ranked sixth among Division I teams and would own the No. 2 seed for the upcoming playoffs following the Open Division cut should they retain their ranking.
Meanwhile, the Mustangs enter the game ranked 14th in the division. A win over Eastlake would enhance Otay Ranch’s chances of climbing up the division rankings to earn a higher playoff seed.
Thus there is a lot at stake for both teams in Friday’s game.
Clash of the Titans
Olympian produced the only first half points in last Friday’s game on a 36-yard field goal by Erik Duarte. However, the visitors got their motor finally running in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points to secure the win.
Eastlake’s defense continues to play strong. A.J. Hernandez made an interception in the end zone to deny the Eagles (1-2 in league, 2-7 overall) additional points in building early momentum in the game.
Darius De Los Reyes scored on a 47-yard pitch in the third quarter to kick-start the Titan offense, Josh McCurty scored on a fumble return (the ball was snapped over the head of the Olympian punter), Kevin Bateman caught a 40-yard scoring pass from quarterback Richard Colmenero III and Holden Stephens made a leaping catch in the back corner of the end zone for a one-yard touchdown grab.
Colemenero completed nine of 18 passing attempts for 122 yards and three touchdowns while nine players took turns running the football for 131 yards against a tough defensive stand from the hosts. Parker Merrifield led the group with four carries for 32 yards. Hernandez had seven carries for 31 yards.
De Los Reyes had three catches for 58 yards and one touchdown.
McCurty once again energized the Titan defense with a team-high 20 tackles in the game, including 14 unassisted tackles. Eastlake recorded five tackles for a loss and two sacks (one each by Herman Ramirez and Talon Lazio). Mateo La also recorded a fumble recovery.
McCurty leads the Titans with 147 tackles, six sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Otay Ranch built a 14-0 first-half lead before adding 20 second-half points to record its second shutout of the season.
Quarterback Puka Stewart opened scoring in the game on a five-yard touchdown pass to Boogie Phillips while Rayne Llaneta (10 carries, 65 yards) later capped a 92-yard scoring drive with a touchdown run.
The Mustangs rolled up 288 rushing yards, led by Noah Isley’s 88 yards on 10 carries. Kenneth Robinson had 10 carries for 65 yards and scored one touchdown.
Vita Hafoka had two interceptions for 94 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown return. Steven Filippi scored a touchdown on a punt return after the ball glanced off a Crusader’s helmet.
Otay Ranch’s defense collected four sacks (two by Jaiden Smith), five tackles for a loss and two picks.
Trojans fight on, on verge of league title
At one point very early in the season, the future for the Castle Park High School football team appeared dark. Because of a numbers drain, the Trojans had to forfeit games to Coronado and Fallbrook in successive weeks.
Since then, things have turned around dramatically in the land of Troy and the future looks bright as Castle Park enters Friday’s final regular season game at San Ysidro.
Some might have wondered if the Trojans would complete the season.
In fact, Castle Park appears it will do so as this year’s Metro-Pacific League champion.
The Trojans defeated the visiting Southwest Raiders, 37-21, last Friday to improve to 2-0 in league play, 5-4 overall. Castle Park will play winless San Ysidro (0-2 in league play, 0-9 overall) in Friday’s league finale, needing a win to wrap up a perfect league campaign and secure a berth in the upcoming San Diego Section Division V playoffs.
Southwest (1-1 in league play, 4-5 overall) is expected to also receive admission to this year’s Division V playoff field. The Raiders will host the Montgomery Aztecs (1-1 in league play, 4-5 overall) on Friday.
Montgomery needs a win to buttress its chances of making this year’s Division IV playoffs. A Southwest win could keep the Aztecs from qualifying for postseason play.
“This is truly turning out to be a special group and a special season,” Trojan head coach Bernard Ansolabehere said. “We have lots of work left to do but I’m very proud of our team for facing all of the adverse situations of this season the way that they have.
“We have a tough talented group that has persevered through many unforeseeable circumstances and I know our best is still yet to come.”
The Trojans have generated some genuine momentum by winning four of their last five games, with that one loss coming in an overtime tiebreaker.
Castle Park built an initial 6-0 lead on Southwest in last Friday’s league encounter before piling up 31 second-quarter points to lead 37-6 at halftime. The Raiders closed out the game with 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Diego Martinez completed six of 12 passing attempts for 209 yards and four touchdowns to finish the game with a 135.4 quarterback rating. He also rushed for one score.
Christian Bustos and Joel Torres each scored two touchdowns while Alfredo Lorea kicked a 43-yard field goal while successfully converting four extra-point kicks.
The Trojans rolled up 365 total offensive yards in claiming the victory; Southwest had 296 total yards, including 201 rushing yards.
Tyrone Lake had 18 carries for 88 yards to lead the Castle Park ground game. Torres had four receptions for 106 yards while Bustos caught two aerials for 79 yards. Torres had one catch that measured 50 yards while Bustos’s longest reception went for 44 yards.
Raider quarterback Aaron Hildago completed five of 13 passes for 95 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Daniel Carrillo rushed 11 times for 97 yards and scored one touchdown while Daniel Belton had 11 carries for 50 yards.
Jovahn Young caught three passes for 104 yards, including two for touchdowns.
Martinez and Demarkus Lewis led Castle Park defensively with one interception apiece while teammate Robert Abarca keyed the team with nine tackles.
Sebastian Hoyo had a fumble recovery for Southwest.
METRO-PACIFIC LEAGUE PREVIEWS
Castle Park (5-4) at San Ysidro (0-9)
Last time out
Castle Park is coming off a 37-21 win over visiting Southwest while San Ysidro is coming off a 53-6 loss at Montgomery. Castle Park is 2-0 in league play; San Ysidro is 0-2 in league play.
What’s at stake
With a win, Castle Park can secure outright possession of this year’s Metro-Pacific League championship. The Trojans have won three games in a row while San Ysidro, which has only scored five touchdowns and been out-scored 377-38 this season, is currently mired in an 11-game losing streak dating to last season.
By the numbers
Season leaders for Castle Park include quarterback Diego Martinez with 885 passing yards and 17 touchdowns against just two interceptions, running back Tyrone Lake with 402 rushing yards, and receivers Joel Torres with 356 receiving yards and five touchdowns and Christian Bustos with 349 receiving yards and six TDs. Martinez also has rushed for four touchdowns.
Season leaders for San Ysidro include Josue Juarez with 358 rushing yards and one touchdown and Jesse Hernandez with 141 receiving yards and one touchdown. Cougar quarterback Marcus Bowman has rushed for 284 yards and one touchdown and passed for 157 yards with six interceptions.
Defensively, Ramon Cabal and Jose Castro each have recorded two sacks for Castle Park while Torres has a team-leading four interceptions; Josef Bielma paces San Ysidro with 73 tackles.
Montgomery (4-5) at Southwest (4-5)
Last time out
Montgomery is coming off a 53-6 win over visiting San Ysidro while Southwest is coming off a 37-21 loss at Castle Park. Both teams are 1-1 in league play.
What’s at stake
The winner finishes 5-5 while the loser finishes 4-6. Southwest can enhance its playoff seeding with a win while Montgomery needs a win in a late bid to qualify for the section playoffs.
By the numbers
Season leaders for Southwest include quarterback Aaron Hildalgo with 595 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions; running back Daniel Belton with 755 yards and 15 touchdowns; and receiver Jovahn Young with nine catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Young leads the team with 971 all-purpose yards.
Season leaders for Montgomery include quarterback Keoa Gumataotao with 851 passing yards and four touchdowns against eight interceptions and running back Christian Venegas with six rushing touchdowns. Gumataotao also has scored one rushing touchdown while Venegas has scored one defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery to lead the Aztecs with seven touchdowns. Overall, nine players have scored touchdowns for Montgomery this season.
Defensively, Belton leads Southwest with 64 tackles, including eight for a loss, while Kelton Lindsey has two picks and a fumble recovery; Montgomery’s Jose Sanchez has recorded two sacks while Ben Larsen has two interceptions.
METRO-MESA LEAGUE PREVIEW
Olympian (2-7) at Bonita Vista (2-7)
Last time out
Olympian is coming off a 28-3 loss to visiting Eastlake while Bonita Vista is coming off a bye week. Olympian is 1-2 in league play; Bonita Vista is 0-3 in league play.
What’s at stake
Olympian, Mater Dei Catholic and Bonita Vista are all vying for at-large berths in the Division II playoff field. Olympian needs a win to solidify its playoff position while Bonita Vista could enhance its postseason consideration with a victory in its final regular season home game.
By the numbers
Season leaders for Olympian include quarterback Lukas Hamilton with four passing touchdowns and Damarian Thornton with five touchdowns overall, including three rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores.
Season leaders for Bonita Vista, tabulated through six games, include quarterback Kevin Rozar with 647 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions; running back Saiyvionn Williams with 257 rushing yards and two touchdowns; and receiver Roland Cota with 13 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Cota leads the Barons overall with five touchdowns, including two rushing scores, two receiving scores and one on a kickoff return.
San Diego Section Playoff Schedule
OPEN DIVISION: Semifinals on Nov. 9. Championship game on Nov. 17, 7 p.m. at Southwestern College
DIVISION I-V: First round on Nov. 2, quarterfinals on Nov. 9, semifinals on Nov. 16. Championship games as follows:
Nov. 23 at Southwestern College – Division IV at 1 p.m., Division II at 7 p.m.; Division V at Otay Ranch High School, 7 p.m
Nov. 24 at Southwestern College – Division III at 1 p.m., Division I at 7 p.m.
Prep Football Standings
Metro-Mesa League
League/Overall
School W-L W-L
Eastlake 3-0 8-1
Otay Ranch 3-0 6-3
Olympian 1-2 2-7
Mater Dei Catholic 1-3 3-7
Bonita Vista 0-3 2-7
Friday, Oct. 19
Eastlake 28, Olympian 3
Otay Ranch 34, Mater Dei Catholic 0
Friday, Oct. 26
Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Olympian vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
Metro-South Bay League
League/Overall
School W-L W-L
Hilltop 2-0 4-5
Mar Vista 1-1 6-3
Sweetwater 1-1 3-6
Chula Vista 0-2 2-7
Friday, Oct. 19
Hilltop 20, Mar Vista 7
Sweetwater 31, Chula Vista 0
Friday, Oct. 26
Chula Vista at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
Sweetwater at Mar Vista, 7 p.m.
Metro-Pacific League
League/Overall
School W-L W-L
Castle Park 2-0 5-4
Southwest 1-1 4-5
Montgomery 1-1 4-5
San Ysidro 0-2 0-9
Friday, Oct. 19
Castle Park 37, Southwest 21
Montgomery 56, San Ysidro 6
Friday, Oct. 26
Castle Park at Southwest, 7 p.m.
Montgomery at Southwest, 7 p.m.
Eight-man football
CITRUS LEAGUE
League/Overall
School W-L W-L
Borrego Springs 5-0 8-1
St. Joseph Academy 5-0 5-2
Horizon Prep 3-2 4-3
Rock Academy 2-3 2-5
Victory Christian 2-4 2-6
Ocean View Christian 1-4 1-6
Warner 0-5 2-7
Friday, Oct. 19
Rock Academy 74, Victory Christian Academy 46
Borrego Springs 71, Ocean View Christian Academy 38
Friday, Oct. 26
Warner at Ocean View Christian Academy, 3:30 p.m.
San Pasqual Academy at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
Ocean League
League/Overall
School W-L W-L
Foothills Christian 4-0 6-2
Calvin Christian 3-1 5-4
SD Jewish Academy 2-2 4-2
Julian 2-2 3-6
Calvary Christian 1-3 5-3
West Shores 0-4 2-6
Friday, Oct. 19
Calvary Christian Academy 42, West Shores 30
Friday, Oct. 26
Calvary Christian Academy at Calvin Christian, 6:30 p.m.
SAN DIEGO SECTION/MAXPREPS FOOTBALL RANKINGS
Division I: 1. Cathedral Catholic (8-1), 2. Torrey Pines (8-0), 3. La Costa Canyon (6-2), 4. Helix (6-3), 5. Carlsbad (5-3), 6. Eastlake (8-1), 7. St. Augustine (6-3), 8. San Marcos (7-1), 9. Madison (6-3), 10. Mission Hills (3-5), 11. Rancho Bernardo (7-2), 12. Oceanside (4-5), 13. Steele Canyon (7-2), 14. Otay Ranch (6-3), 15. El Camino (1-7), 16, Grossmont (2-7)
Division II: 1. Granite Hills (8-1), 2. Poway (7-2), 3. Point Loma (5-4), 4. Vista (6-3), 5. Valley Center (6-3), 6. Lincoln (6-3), 7. Ramona (6-2), 8. Mira Mesa (6-2), 9. San Pasqual (5-4), 10. Olympian (2-7), 11. Bishop’s (5-3), 12. Westview (1-8), 13. Mater Dei Catholic (3-7), 14. Bonita Vista (2-7), 15. Mt. Carmel (0-9), 16. Valhalla (0-9), 17. Southwest El Centro (3-6)
Division III: 1. Christian (8-1), 2. Central Union (9-0), 3. Monte Vista (8-1), 4. Brawley (8-1), 5. Morse (5-3), 6. Santa Fe Christian (5-3), 7. Imperial (5-4), 8. El Capitan (3-6), 9. West Hills (8-1), 10. University City (4-5), 11. La Jolla (3-6), 12. Rancho Buena Vista (3-6), 13. Scripps Ranch (6-3), 14. Escondido (3-6), 15. Hilltop (4-5), 16. Mount Miguel (3-6), 17. Patrick Henry (1-8)
Division IV: 1. San Diego (7-1), 2. Kearny (8-1), 3. Del Norte (5-4), 4. Mar Vista (6-3), 5. Santana (4-5), 6. Serra (6-3), 7. Classical Academy (5-4), 8. Coronado (7-2), 9. Chula Vista (2-7), 10. Calexico (3-6), 11. Sweetwater (3-6), 12. La Jolla Country Day (2-6), 13. Fallbrook (2-6), 14. Montgomery (4-5), 15. Mission Bay (1-8), 16. Crawford (4-5), 17. El Cajon Valley (0-9)
Division V: 1. Orange Glen (5-2), 2. Francis Parker (8-1), 3. Tri-City Christian (7-2), 4. Holtville (6-2), 5. Vincent Memorial (6-2), 6. Mountain Empire (6-3), 7. Palo Verde Valley (4-5), 8. Castle Park (5-4), 9. Maranatha Christian (5-5), 10. Southwest (4-5), 11. Army Navy Academy (3-6), 12. Calipatria (3-6), 13. Hoover (1-8), 14. Clairemont (0-9), 15. Escondido Charter (1-8), 16. San Ysidro (0-9)
Undefeated Teams
- Central Union (9-0)
- Torrey Pines (8-0)
Winless teams
- Clairemont (0-9)
- El Cajon Valley (0-9)
- Mt. Carmel (0-9)
- San Ysidro (0-9)
- Valhalla (0-9)
