The 2024 high school football season will be like none other, and it should be very interesting for that reason alone.
The San Diego Section will once again conduct its playoffs in eight divisions, though without pre-determined divisions being taken into account.
A total of 64 teams will qualify for the top six divisions based entirely on the final CalPreps rankings on Nov. 3. There are no pre-set divisions throughout the regular season.
Teams will be lined up by final rankings points and snipped to fill each division.
The top four ranked teams will be slotted into the Open Division. The next 12 teams (numbers 5-16) will be in Division I, the next 12 teams (numbers 17-28) will be in Division II, the next 12 teams (numbers 29-40) will be in Division III, the next 12 teams (numbers 41-52) will be in Division IV and the next 12 teams (numbers 53-64) will be in Division V.
The Division V-AA playoffs will consist of one division of eight teams with seeding based on the final CalPreps rankings on Nov. 3.
The Division VI playoffs (eight-person) will be conducted in one division of six teams, with seeding based completely on the final CalPreps rankings on Nov. 3.
So, nobody will know exactly in what division they will compete until the final CalPreps rankings are released. It will be a guessing game right up to the end of the final game of the season, though most teams will have an inkling of where they might fall.
Only designated league champions are guaranteed entry into postseason play.
Will this try at delivering playoff parity be successful?
“No perfect system, but this makes all playoff games in all divisions in all rounds very competitive,” Olympian head coach Bradley Carter said. “No easy playoff games with the new system.
“Teams on the cutoff from one division to another can either have a No. 1 seed or a No. 12 seed which can be tough to swallow, but other than that it will lead to great games.”
“The unknown before the season is awkward right now since it’s new but I’m excited to see the how it works out,” Montgomery coach Freddy Dunkle said.
The structure of the 2024 playoffs will otherwise be the same with a first round of elimination games, a quarterfinal round, semifinal round and championship round for divisions with 12-team brackets.
Opening round games in Division I through Division IV are scheduled Nov. 8, followed by the second round on Nov. 15, semifinals on Nov. 22 and finals Nov. 29-30.
The Open Division will go straight to semifinals and finals (Nov. 15 and Nov. 23).
Finals in Division V-AA and Division VI are scheduled Nov. 22-23.
The Southern California regional championships are Dec. 6-7. State championship bowl games are Dec. 13-14.
San Diego Section division champions in the Open Division, Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV and Division V will be entered in the state playoffs. No regional championships will be conducted at this time for Division V-AA and Division VI.
Games will once again be played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to continue a trend in recent years.
There will be a five-day acclimatization period for all fall outdoor student-athletes as part of preseason practices. Extreme heat bylaws will also be followed.
Key dates
Practices officially opened Aug. 1, followed by the first permissible scrimmage date on Aug. 13.
The first possible interscholastic contest is Aug. 22 and the last pre-playoff competition is Nov. 2. The 2024 playoff seeding meeting is Nov. 3.
The end of the sit-out period for transfers is Sept. 26.
Southern exposure
The Metro Conference made an impact in the postseason last year with Sweetwater winning the San Diego Section Division V championship and advancing to the state bowl championship game and Chula Vista settling for a runner-up position in the Division IV section final.
Sweetwater, which finished runner-up in the Metro-South Bay League standings, reeled off five conseuctive wins toward the end of the season that landed the National City team with a 46-37 win over Vincent Memorial in the Division V championship game, 47-27 win over Santa Monica for the Southern California Division 6-A regional title and a 33-17 loss to Colusa in the Division 6-A state bowl championship game.
The Red Devils (8-7) finished up the season 8-3 following a 0-4 start, proving it’s how one finishes the season rather than how one starts it that counts.
Chula Vista, the two-time Metro-Pacific League champion, carried a six-game winning streak into the Division IV title game against top-seeded Mt. Miguel. The second-seeded Spartans (10-3) came up on the short end of a 35-14 score to the Matadors to end their season after going 4-0 in league play.
The 2023 season saw the retirement of longtime Meter Dei Catholic head coach John Joyner, who finished his 16-year Crusader career with six section titles and three state championships.
Mater Dei Catholic went 104-69 under Joyner, the 49th coach in California to post 100 wins. The Crusaders won last season’s Metro-Mesa League banner at 4-0 en route to a 6-4 finish.
Sweetwater and Chula Vista’s CIF title game appearaances shook up the Metro Conference’s league alignment for the upcoming 2024 season as both teams jump to the top tier Mesa League. Correspondingly, Bonita Vista drops from the Mesa League to the Metro-South Bay League.
Chula Vista’s move ensures a new champion in the Metro-Pacific League this season. Olympian is the defending Metro-South Bay League champion.
Metro-Mesa League
Despite changes, Crusaders aim to remain on top
Despite the changeover in head coaches, the Mater Dei Catholic High School football team is poised to continue its winning ways, according to new sideline boss Rashad Cook.
“The goal is to make another run at an undefeated season, win league and win the Open Division,” said Cook, an alumnus of Morse High school who went on to play at USC and five years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cook has been on the Mater Dei Catholic coaching staff for the last six years and has enjoyed much success. He succeeds John Joyner, who won six section championships and three state titles during a storied 16-year run with the Crusaders.
Mater Dei Catholic posted an undefeated 13-0 season in 2021.
The Crusaders enter the 2024 season as defending Metro-Mesa League champions and expect to make a lot of noise on the field again this season.
“Returning quarterbacks Kartell Purvis and/or Regan Nicanor will have plenty of weapons on offense and Isaiah Cook, Matt Carr, Larell Parker, Mehki Oluwa, Julian Cromartie are all Division I-caliber athletes. The offense and defensive line have been overhauled and Mater Dei will be younger and bigger up front.”
Purvis, Nicanor, Cook and Carr are seniors this year while Parker and Oluwa are juniors. Cromartie is a sophomore.
Purvis earned offensive player of the year honors in 2023 after passing for 1,575 yards with 17 touchdowns and rushing for 162 additional yards with two scores.
Among returners, Isaiah Cook earned first team all-league honors while Carr and senior lineman Johnny Gonzalez were both second team all-league picks.
The Crusaders will also be looking to prosper from returners Jeremiah King (senior running back/linebacker), Jordan Dumaran (junior running back/strong safety) and Noah Cook (junior linebacker/running back).
Impact newcomers include senior offensive/defensive linemen Osmark Jaime and Anthony Lopez, junior offensive/defensive lineman Nikolas Edwards, junior defensive back/receiver Curan Scott, Cromartie (sophomore receiver/defensive back), sophomore linebacker/receiver Diego Mendoza, sophomore receiver/defensive back Noj Ellingson, sophomore defensive end/tight end Siosi Tuavao, freshmen Paula Lantu, Jeffery Adams and Min Jun Koo, all on the offensive/defensive line.
The Crusaders will once again tackle the opposition with one of the section’s most challenging schedules, starting with a home game against Cathedral Catholic on Aug. 23 and hosting Granite Hills in another high-profile encounter on Aug. 30. Other non-league highlight matchups include San Marcos (away on Sept. 9) and St. Augustine (home on Sept. 27).
Add Metro-Mesa League
Mater Dei Catholic will vie for the 2024 league title against an expanded Metro-Mesa lineup that includes the Eastlake Titans, Otay Ranch Mustangs, Sweetwater Red Devils and Chula Vista Spartans.
Sweetwater (from the Metro-South Bay League) and Chula Vista (from the Metro-Pacific League) both gained promotion after exceling in postseason play last season. Sweetwater won the Division V section championship en route to a state bowl berth while Chula Vista finished runner-up in the Division IV section final.
Eastlake, the Mesa League runner-up in 2023, graduated 16 seniors but returns 15 starters and looks to be in good shape to take on challengers this season. The Titans are playing just two out-of-section teams this season (at Capistrano Valley in Week 2 and at Brock, Texas, in Week 6). Other than that, all games are against section opponents, including five against Metro Conference opponents.
Top returning starters include senior defensive lineman and running back Kingston Schaaf (5-10, 205), senior running back/free safety William Schmitz (5-10, 170), senior middle linebacker/running back Nate Rodriguez (6-0, 215), senior safety Landon Albano (5-9, 160), senior receivers Barron Cardona (5-8, 170) and Zivan Carranza (5-8. 160), junior defensive backs/receivers Rasharee “Rocket” Demery (5-8, 160) and Isaiah Rodriguez (5-8, 175), junior quarterback Tyler Balko (6-0, 170) and junior receiver/defensive back/quarterback Hamza Hatahet (5-10, 170).
Senior offensive lineman Santino Blas measures up at 6-2, 260.
Schaaf, Schmitz, Cardona, Albano and Rodriguez all garnered all-league status last season.
Schaaf led the Titans with seven rushing touchdowns last season while co-leading the team with five sacks. Schmitz led the team with 636 rushing yards while Cardona paced EHS with 287 receiving yards and two scores.
Schaaf was a key two-way player with 75 tackles on defense. Albano logged 73 defensive stops last season while Rodriguez had 43 stops and two picks.
Top newcomers for head coach Jose Mendoza include sophomore defensive end/tight end Javoni Ceja (6-1, 210) and junior tight end/linebacker Adrian Sanchez (6-0, 190).
Horse power
Otay Ranch finished 2-8 last season, 0-3 in league play, and will be looking to rebound this fall.
The Mustangs return seven defensive starters, led by seniors Joey Brinkman, Prince Dumaran and Diego Martinez and junior David Smith. Martinez recorded 10.5 sacks in 2023 while Smith was the team’s leading tackler (104). Brinkman had five sacks.
On offense, senior Tyler Geasland and junior A.J. Lopez should both see action at quarterback while senior kicker/punter Alejandro Farias should help the team in close games.
The offensive line returns several players with starting experience, including senior center Sharlie Lara and senior tackle Joel Gaitan. “It is a deep, talented group that should be the strength of the offense,” head coach Brad Burton said.
Senior running back/linebacker Brody Arenas and junior tight end Julian Clark should have a big impact on the offense as newcomers.
Other top returners include senior receivers Johnnie Welborne and Julian Milan and senior linebacker Mason Sevilla.
Welborne caught five scoring passes last season while topping the team with 324 receiving yards. Farias accounted for 24 kicking points.
Impact newcomers also include junior defensive back Ethan Louischareon, junior receiver/defensive back Xander Mendez and sophomore lineman Maddox Gonzalez.
Red alert
The Sweetwater Red Devils turned in a red-letter season in 2023 by winning the San Diego Section Division V championship to punch their ticket to the Division 3-A state bowl championship game.
It was a magical journey for all concerned, especially head coach Ervin Hernandez, who retired at the end of the season after earning honors as the CIF State Model Coach of the Year.
The Red Devils promoted from within the program as former assistant Brandon Burris takes over as head coach.
The outlook remains positive despite an upturn in strength of schedule.
“We have a fairly young team this year, but we gained valuable experience last year with us going all the way to the state championship,” Burris said. “We plan on building on last year and developing our young players into players who are capable of winning now.
“The expectation for this year is to seriously be in the running for the Metro-Mesa League title as well as make the playoffs and compete for a section title.
“Our team goal is to get better every week and be the best we can possibly be as a unit with our ultimate goal being to compete for a Mesa League and San Diego Section title.”
The team’s top returners include senior quarterback/linebacker Zaryan Crews (first team all-league offense), senior receiver/defensive back Jacob Gonsalves (first team all-league defense) and senior offensive guard/defensive end Victor Nunez De La Cruz (second team all-league offense).
Crews was a threat every time he had the ball while rushing for 964 yards with nine touchdowns and passing for two more scores.
Gonsalves notched 68 tackles, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Joining that group are senior offensive tackle/defensive lineman Fernando Cruz, senior offensive guard Israel Carreon, junior receiver/defensive back Sean Carlos, junior running back/linebacker Archie Herente, junior running back/linebacker Christian Corpus, senior offensive guard/defensive lineman Chris Turner, junior linebacker/running back Alberto Mariscal, sophomore receiver/defensive back Noah Calingay and sophomore offensive tackle/defensive lineman Carlos Martinez.
Mariscal had three sacks.
Impact newcomers include seniors Gabriel Henderson (offensive/defensive line) and Nassir Hicks (running back/linebacker).
Sweetwater opens the season Aug. 23 at Morse and hosts Santana on Aug. 29.
Star power
The Chula Vista Spartans put it together last season in making a run to their second consecutive Metro-Pacific League championship and a berth in the San Diego Section Division IV title game. The end result was a 10-3 overall record and a lot of respect generated both within and outside the program.
The Spartans will play three other Metro Conference teams — Bonita Vista at home on Aug. 30, Hilltop at home on Sept. 13 in the teams’ annual Kiwanis Bowl match-up and at Olympian on Sept. 20 – before they jump into Metro-Mesa League play Oct. 4 at Otay Ranch.
Chula Vista kicks off the season Aug. 23 at La Jolla Country Day.
Quarterback Izaak Baca, receiver Elijah Gillespie and running back La’Darrione Perkins all turned in superlative junior seasons last year. Baca passed for 2,115 yards and 26 touchdowns while Gillespie recorded 972 receiving yards and 17 TD catches. Perkins rushed for 846 yards and 12 touchdowns. Perkins also had two receiving scores.
Chula Vista loses two-time Metro-Pacific League defensive player of the year Frankie Olmedo (67 tackles, 12 sacks, two fumble recoveries). He will be hard to replace in the lineup but a pair of understudies last year as juniors, Joshua Gogue-Rios and Perkins, could shine in his absence.
Gogue-Rios ranked second on the team with 63 tackles while Perkins was third with 59 stops. Gogue-Rios also had two picks on defense.
Titans, Barons kick off season with rivalry game
The Eastlake Titans and Bonita Vista Barons will definitely not lack for motivation to kick off the 2024 high school football season with the teams’ annual Battle for the Boot rivalry game scheduled for Friday’s season opener.
Kick-off is 6:30 p.m. at Eastlake High School.
It’s a must attend for fans of both teams.
The Titans are coming off a runner-up finish in the Metro-Mesa League standings at 2-1 in league play, 4-7 overall, while the Barons finished 1-2 in league play last season, 7-5 overall.
Both teams got a taste of the playoffs. Bonita Vista defeated Coronado, 35-0, to advance to the Division IV quarterfinals while Eastlake ended its season with a heartbreaking 14-13 setback to Central Union in the Division II opening round.
The winner of Friday’s rivalry game will create instant momentum for the rest of the season.
The Barons featured a veteran-laden squad last season with virtually all statistical leaders on both offense and defense being seniors. Replacing departed running back Caden Ada-Tannehill (1,257 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns) will be a major focus. Isayah Luna passed for 527 yards and four TDs as a junior last season.
Metro-Pacific League
Castle Park Trojans seeking a home away from home in 2024
Castle Park high School’s football stadium is getting a fresh new look, though the Trojan football team will have a wait at least one season to use it.
Demolition has begun on the concrete superstructure of Swift Stadium. While the dirt sides are being filled in with new stands and a brand-new turf field and track, the school’s football team is able to practice on an outlying field near the rear of campus.
However, there will be no actual home games this season. There are designated “home” dates on the schedule, but they will take place at other schools (Otay Ranch, Hilltop, Montgomery).
Despite the logistics of essentially playing a road-schedule, new CP head coach Airrien Smith expects the team to perform well on the field.
“We’re expecting to be above the 0.500-win percentage, win our league and make a deep run in the playoffs,” the 2019 CPHS graduate said. “We have senior leadership at all skill positions and a new coaching staff that will bring a new look and feel to the Castle Park Trojans football program.”
The Trojans are definitely senior heavy among top returners: Andre Valle Tovar (offensive/defensive lineman), Dillan Villarreal (quarterback, defensive back), Christian Hayes (athlete), Anthony Vidrio (athlete), Stevie Huss (athlete), Tait Villarreal (running back/linebacker), Angel Barajas (offensive/defensive lineman), Daniel Simental (offensive/defensive lineman) and Caleb Quintero (running back/linebacker).
The team’s impact newcomers include junior running backs/linebackers Yiheng Hu and Jorge Padilla along with senior lineman Jose Luis Gutierrez.
With two-time Metro-Pacific League champion Chula Vista departing for the Metro-Mesa League this season, Castle Park will be looking to fill the championship void while battling Mar Vista, San Ysidro and Southwest high schools.
The Trojans kick off the season Aug. 23 at Victory Christian Academy, then host Calexico at Otay Ranch High School on Aug. 30.
Homecoming is at Hilltop High School on Oct. 25.
Stadium modernization specs include the installation of beach volleyball courts on campus.
Pirate ship
The Raiders will be looking to rely on continuity that has been established since teams returned to the gridiron following the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome could be very exciting — and rewarding.
“We are going to take a shot at a league banner,” Southwest coach Domonic Cruz said. “The last time Southwest had one was 1982. We have 14 seniors who have been through the entire program since after the pandemic.”
Top returners include senior offensive linemen Jordan Cretain and Matthew Martinez, senior running backs/linebackers Nery Gomez and Connor Davis, senior receiver/defensive back Jaylen Garcia, junior defensive back Diego Valencia and senior defensive end Jorge Gastelum.
Garcia and Gastelum were both all-league picks in 2023.
Gomez scored four rushing touchdowns last season while Garcia made three touchdown catches and rushed for two scores.
Impact newcomers include sophomores Leo Holguin (quarterback) and Adrian Alfaro (offensive lineman).
The Raiders kick off the season with a pair of away games — Aug. 23 at Hoover and Aug. 30 at Mountain Empire.
King Neptune
Mar Vista head coach David Moore readily admits his team will face its share of challenges this season (and even next season) as the Mariners play the bulk of their games on the road while their home field is being refurbished.
Overcoming those challenges will be key to success, of course.
This is Moore’s fourth year coaching in the program either as an assistant or head coach.
“I’ve seen the seniors since they were freshman,” he said. “It’s really cool to watch them grow over that time. We have a small team numbers-wise but a lot of talent. We’ll run with what we have.”
Leading the returners are senior quarterback Peter Thomas, senior quarterback Ben Moya and junior receiver Ciontae Fewell.
Thomas passed for 750 yards and five touchdowns in seven games last season while Moya passed for 370 yards and two scores. Moya rushed for two touchdowns and caught two touchdowns.
Fewell racked up 356 receiving yards and three TD in 10 games last season.
Moore said the program experienced a turnout of 40 freshmen this season. “I’m very excited about the future of Mar Vista football,” he said.
The Mariners are scheduled to play O’Farrell Charter Aug. 23 at San Ysidro High School, then “host” Valhalla High School on Aug. 30 at San Ysidro. Mar Vista will play a third “home” game Sept. 6 against Crawford at SYHS.
Cougar country
Giantoni Canale will be coaching both the boys and girls football teams at San Ysidro High School this season. Both gender units have set a goal to be competitive in their respective leagues.
The Lady Cougars won the Metro-Pacific League girls flag football championship last season and are looking to repeat while the boys 11-man squad is looking to bounce back from a 1-9 season in 2023.
“The overall outlook of the season is we expect to be competitive,” Canale said of the Cougars’ upcoming pigskin campaign. “I was hired very late in the off-season, so getting the kids rolling in a short amount of time was important. I kept some coaches from the previous staff and brought over a lot of new coaches, and the kids, especially seniors, have bought into our philosophy. We expect to be competitive, and the goal is to compete for a league championship in Year One. Our special teams will be very strong, as we have one of the top kickers in the county and will have a great returner.”
Senior linebacker Jaiden Dominguez will be a four-year starter to help lead the defense while quarterback Dario Garcia returns to lead the offense after starting all games last season. Receiver Jonathan Brown will have an immediate impact on the offense after bringing over high-level playing experience from Mt. Carmel High School.
Dominguez (99 tackles, 7.5 sacks) earned all-league honors along with senior defensive end Ivan Quintero (54 tackles, four sacks) last year.
Garcia passed for 907 yards with three TDs and 11 picks but rushed for 785 yards and six TDs.
Other top returners include senior receivers/free safeties Max Espinoza and Doninic Duarte, senior receiver/corner back Jacob Duarte, junior offensive/defensive lineman Nylan Osuna, senior kicker/punter Jorge Quiroz, senior receiver/safety Gabriel Roque and junior offensive/defensive lineman Nicolas Plascencia.
Impact newcomers include senior defensive back/receiver Brown (transfer from Mt. Carmel), sophomore quarterback Josh Wade (transfer from Olympian), sophomore running back/defensive lineman King Johnson and junior linebacker Santiago Valenzuela.
The Cougars play their opening three games on the road: Aug. 23 at Maranatha Christian, Aug. 29 at Clairemont and Sept. 6 at Valhalla.
Metro-South Bay League
Olympian Eagles return as Metro-South Bay League champs
The Olympian Eagles won a dogfight for last year’s Metro-South Bay League title against a contingent that included the Montgomery Aztecs, Hilltop Lancers and Sweetwater Red Devils.
The Eagles will battle the Bonita Vista Barons this season with Sweetwater making the move to the Metro-Mesa League. The race for this year’s league pennant should be equally challenging.
Both Olympian and Bonita Vista finished with 7-5 records last season.
“We lost lots of seniors but had a great offseason,” OHS coach Bradley Carter said. “The goal is to win the league championship and make a deep run in the playoffs.”
The offense will be led by junior quarterback Jayden Fuentes, an all-league selection who passed for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023.
Other top returners include senior offensive lineman Aidan Cena and senior defensive/offensive lineman Aiden Flores, also both all-league picks last season.
Impact newcomers include senior running back/linebacker Tyler Esqueda-Johnson (transfer from Helix), junior receiver Jorgani Estrada, junior defensive back/kicker Dylan Loe (D-Lo), sophomore defensive lineman/tight end JoJo (Josiah) Rivera, junior offensive/defensive lineman Xavier Torres (transfer from Valhalla) and junior running back/linebacker Jonah Zamora.
“We’re looking forward to having a more effective running game in 2024,” Carter said. “The defense will be well coached by Bing Dawson.”
Olympian tackles Westview in a road matchup to kick off the new season before hosting Grossmont (Division III runner-up in 2023) in Week 2.
Green machine
The Hilltop Lancers finished at the bottom of last year’s Metro-South Bay League standings, out of the playoff with a 3-7 overall record.
Braced by all-league returners Juan Matuz (senior receiver/linebacker), Zachary Iglesias (junior offensive lineman/nose guard) and Damian Moreno (junior linebacker), the Lancers may get a better shot at winning a league banner.
“We have plenty of ability and depth at the skilled positions,” HHS head coach Bryan Wagner said. “Changing the defense to a 3-3-5 should take advantage of our team speed and improve us on that side of the ball. The offense will be strengthened by a good group of offensive linemen and perimeter skill.
“We expect to be competitive and hope to challenge for the league title. Our goal is to dominate on each play.”
Matuz (6-0, 180) earned second team all-league honors. as a receiver/rusher.
Other top returners include senior offensive lineman Cesar Guzman (5-11, 260), senior offensive/defensive lineman Josh Ruiz (6-1, 240), junior offensive/defensive lineman Michael Maddy (6-1, 230), senior receiver/free safety Mason Vaquero (5-10, 170), sophomore receiver/safety Bryson Grant (6-0, 170), senior receiver/corner back John Ruiz (5-10, 160) and senior running back/linebacker Andy Bautista (5-9, 180).
Iglesias is 5-10, 270 while Moreno is 5-11, 190.
Newcomers expected to make an impact include junior receiver/corner back Julian Moran (6-0, 170), junior offensive lineman Eric Nealson (6-0, 220), sophomore running back/corner back Lujuan Johnson (5-9, 150, senior quarterback Kneko Vasquez (5-10, 170) and junior running back/linebacker Leo Mendoza (5-10, 180).
Hilltop kicks off the new season Aug. 23 at Coronado and hosts Temescal Canyon on Aug. 30.
Aztec warriors
The Montgomery Aztecs play three of their opening four games on the road. They will be looking to turn around a 2023 season that saw them finish 1-2 in league, 4-6 overall and out of playoffs.
Head coach Freddy Dunkle termed 2024 a rebuilding season, though he still expects his team to be competitive and physical, and challenge for a league title and an opportunity to compete for a CIF championship.
Top returners include junior quarterback Andie Deanda, senior defensive back/receivers Royal Iapala and Raul Moreno, senior running back/linebacker senior running back/linebacker Marcus Trujillo, and linemen Luiz Mejia (senior) and Samuel Espinoza (junior).
Top newcomers include running backs Vili Trollinger (junior)and Amio Fox (senior).
Deanda passed for 1,301 yards and 14 touchdowns last season while rushing for 467 yards and five TDs. Moreno logged 50 tackles and six interceptions on defense.
The Aztecs kick off the season Aug. 23 by hosting the San Diego Cavers before heading off to Escondido Charter (Aug. 30), Patrick Henry (Sept. 6) and Hoover (Sept. 13).
Metro Conference Football Alignment
Metro-Mesa League
- Chula Vista Spartans
- Eastlake Titans
- Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
- Otay Ranch Mustangs
- Sweetwater Red Devils
Metro-South Bay League
- Bonita Vista Barons
- Hilltop Lancers
- Montgomery Aztecs
- Olympian Eagles
Metro-Pacific League
- Castle Park Trojans
- Mar Vista Mariners
- San Ysidro Cougars
- Southwest Raiders
Victory Christian Academy returns to 11-person ranks
Victory Christian Academy is fielding its first 11-person football team in eight years.
“We’re really excited about the upcoming season,” Knights coach Earl Benson said. “We will be very competitive in every game this season. More than half the team has experience at the varsity level. Our expectations are to battle for a playoff berth and to get better each game.”
Victory Christian has competed at the eight-person level since then, winning the San Diego Section Division VI championship in 2022 with a perfect 11-0 record after finishing first in the Ocean League standings.
The Knights finished 3-6 overall last year, 1-4 in Ocean League play.
Top returners include junior tight end/defensive end Ben Cordova (6-3, 240), junior inside linebacker/fullback Alejandro Rodriguez (5-9, 177), senior lineman/receiver Noah Phillips (5-11, 200), senior lineman Nicholas Bulatao (5-6, 191), junior receiver/defensive end Isaiah Owens (6-1, 170), junior quarterback Austin Dill (6-3, 180) and junior Micah Gerdes (6-3, 185).
Cordova and Rodriguez both earned first team all-league honors while Phillips and Bulatao were both second team all-league picks.
Dill passed for 538 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Cordova had three touchdown catches and three sacks on defense.
Rodriguez rushed for 269 yards (tops on the team) while Owens had 164 receiving yards. Rodriguez led the team defensively with 51 tackles.
The team’s impact newcomer is junior receiver/defensive back Jayden Gray.
The Knights will get instant re-immersion into 11-person football when they host Castle Park on Aug. 23 in the teams’ season opener. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Victory Christian Academy.
The Knights will play a freelance schedule in 2024, though several opponents are from local section leagues. VCA will host Mountain Empire on Sept. 27 and play at Hilltop on Oct. 4.
2024 High School Football Schedules
Metro-Mesa League
Chula Vista Spartans
August
23: Chula Vista at La Jolla Country Day, 7 p.m.
30: Bonita Vista at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
September
6: Chula Vista at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
13: Hilltop at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
20: Chula Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
27: Christian at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.
October
4: Chula Vista at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.
11: Mater Dei Catholic at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
25: Sweetwater at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Chula Vista at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
Eastlake Titans
August
23: Bonita Vista at Eastlake (Battle for the Boot), 7 p.m.
30: Eastlake at Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo), 7 p.m.
September
6: Eastlake at Del Norte, 7 p.m.
13: Eastlake at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.
19: Point Loma at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
27: Eastlake at Brock (Texas), 7:30 p.m.
October
4: Eastlake at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
18: Eastlake at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
25: Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Chula Vista at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
August
23: Cathedral Catholic at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
30: Granite Hills at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
September
6: Mater Dei Catholic at San Marcos, 7 p.m.
20: Mater Dei Catholic at Mira Mesa, 7 p.m.
27: Mater Dei Catholic vs. St. Augustine at Mesa College, 7 p.m.
October
4: Eastlake at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
11: Mater Dei Catholic at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
18: Otay Ranch at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
25: Grossmont at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Mater Dei Catholic at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
Otay Ranch Mustangs
August
22: Mt. Carmel at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
30: Otay Ranch at Point Loma, 7 p.m.
September
6: San Diego at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
13: Otay Ranch at Central Union (El Centro), 7 p.m.
20: Otay Ranch at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
27: Olympian at Otay Ranch (Battle of the O’s), 6:30 p.m.
October
4: Chula Vista at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.
11: Sweetwater at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.
18: Otay Ranch at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
25: Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
Sweetwater Red Devils
August
23: Sweetwater at Morse, 7 p.m.
29: Santana at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
September
6: Sweetwater at Clairemont, 6:30 p.m.
13: Bonita Vista at Sweetwater. 6:30 p.m.
20: Southwest at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
27: Sweetwater at Palo Verde, 7 p.m.
October
11: Sweetwater at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.
18: Eastlake at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
25: Sweetwater at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Mater Dei Catholic at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
Metro-South Bay League
Bonita Vista Barons
August
23: Bonita Vista at Eastlake (Battle for the Boot), 7 p.m.
30: Bonita Vista at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
September
6: University City at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
13: Bonita Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
20: Vincent Memorial at Bonita Vista, 6 p.m.
27: Bonita Vista at Crawford, 7 p.m.
October
10: Mar Vista vs. Bonita Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
18: Montgomery at Bonita Vista,7 p.m.
25: Hilltop at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Bonita Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
Hilltop Lancers
August
23: Hilltop at Coronado, 7 p.m.
30: Temescal Canyon at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
September
6: Hilltop at Santana, 7 p.m.
13: Hilltop at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
27: Castle Park at Hilltop,6:30 p.m.
October
4: Victory Christian Academy at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
11: Southwest at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
18: Hilltop at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
25: Hilltop at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Montgomery at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
Montgomery Aztecs
August
23: San Diego at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
30: Montgomery at Escondido Charter, 7 p.m.
September
6: Montgomery at Patrick Henry, 7 p.m.
13: Montgomery at Hoover, 6:30 p.m.
20: El Capitan at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
27: Canyon Hills at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
October
11: San Ysidro at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
18: Montgomery at Bonita Vista, 7 p.m.
25: Olympian at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
November 1
1: Montgomery at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
Olympian Eagles
August
23: Olympian at Westview, 7 p.m.
30: Grossmont at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
September
6: Olympian at Trivium Prep (Goodyear, Ariz.), 7 p.m.
13: Santana at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
20: Chula Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
27: Olympian at Otay Ranch (Battle of the O’s), 6:30 p.m.
October
11: Olympian at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
18: Hilltop at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
25: Olympian at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Bonita Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
Metro-Pacific League
Castle Park Trojans
August
23: Castle Park at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
30: Castle Park vs. Calexico at Otay Ranch, TBA
September
5: Castle Park at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
13: Rock Academy vs. Castle Park at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
20: Castle Park at Scripps Ranch, 7 p.m.
27: Castle Park at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
October
11: Castle Park at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
18: Castle Park at Southwest. 6:30 p.m.
25: San Ysidro vs. Castle Park at Hilltop (homecoming), 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Castle Park vs. Mar Vista at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
Mar Vista Mariners
August
23: O’Farrell Charter vs. Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 7 p.m.
30: Valhalla vs. Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
September
6: Crawford vs. Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
13: Mar Vista at Rancho Buena Vista, 7 p.m.
20: Mar Vista at San Diego at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
27: Coronado vs. Mar Vista at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
October
10: Mar Vista vs. Bonita Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
18: Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
25: Mar Vista at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Castle Park vs. Mar Vista at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
San Ysidro Cougars
23: San Ysidro at Maranatha Christian, 7 p.m.
30: San Ysidro at Clairemont, 7 p.m.
October
6: San Ysidro at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
13: O’Farrell Charter at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
20: Hoover at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
26: Rock Academy at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
October
11: San Ysidro at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
18: Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
25: Castle Park vs. San Ysidro at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Southwest at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
Southwest Raiders
August
23: Southwest at Hoover, 7 p.m.
30: Southwest at Mountain Empire, 7 p.m.
September
6: Tri-City Christian at Southwest, 7 p.m.
13: Valhalla at Southwest, 7 p.m.
20: Southwest at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
27: Southwest at Kearny, 7 p.m.
October
11: Southwest at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
18: Castle Park at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
25: Mar Vista at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
November
1: Southwest at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
Freelance
Victory Christian Academy Knights
August
23: Castle Park at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
30: Victory Christian Academy at O’Farrell Charter, 4:15 p.m.
September
7: Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School (Temecula) at Victory Christian Academy, 5 p.m.
13: Maranatha Christian at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
20: Victory Christian Academy at Coastal Academy, 6 p.m.
27: Mountain Empire at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
October
4: Victory Christian Academy at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
11: Calipatria at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
18: Victory Christian Academy at Army-Navy Academy, 7 p.m.
Eight-Person
Manzanita League
Ocean View Christian Academy
September
13: Ocean View Christian Academy at Warner, 3:30 p.m.
20: Julian at Ocean View Christian Academy, 3:30 p.m.
27: Horizon Prep at Ocean View Christian Academy, 3:30 p.m.
October
4: San Pasqual Academy at Ocean View Christian Academy, 3:30 p.m.
11: Ocean View Christian Academy at West Shotes (Salton City), 7 p.m.
18: TBA at Ocean View Christian Academy
25: Warner at Ocean View Christian Academy, 6 p.m.
November
1: Ocean View Christian Academy at Borrego Springs, 7 p.m.
SAN DIEGO GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL SHOWCASE
AUG. 17 AT SAN YSIDRO HIGH SCHOOL:
Bonita Vista 19, Brawley 6
Grossmont 31, Olympian 6
Imperial 19, San Ysidro 7
Mira Mesa 26, Central Union 0
Kearny 12, Southwest El Centro 0
Notable: Mia Ramirez (BV) 264 passing yards, three touchdowns; Jamiya Valenciano (BV) 135 yards, two receiving touchdowns
