There is nothing more powerful than the human spirit and the will to win is especially strong this year on the Bonita Vista High School football team.
The Barons kicked off what looks to be a season of genuine promise last Friday by defeating the Vista Panthers, 12-0, in a non-league game at Southwestern College. Transfer Greg Bell scored the team’s first touchdown of the season on a four-yard run in the second quarter and Chris Boguille tacked on field goals of 25 and 30 yards to round out the scoring.
But Bonita Vista’s players were playing for something more than just a win. They were playing for the memory of former teammate Christian Gilstrap, who was killed over the summer in a single-car traffic accident.
A 2015 BVHS graduate, Gilstrap played both running back and linebacker during his two years on the varsity team. The fatal accident occurred July 13. His family was understandably grief-stricken, and so were members of his second family: the BVHS football team.
As part of the healing process, the Barons have dedicated the 2015 season to Gilstrap’s memory. Based on the outcome of last Friday’s season opener, there should be many more victories to celebrate before the season is over.
“As you can imagine, the kids’ emotions are all over the place,” explained BVHS head coach Chris Thompson following the accident. “Christian was a well-liked kid who was just getting ready to start his journey into adulthood. He will be missed.”
As for last Friday’s game, Thompson called it “a very physical contest.”
“I was extremely proud of the way we responded,” the BVHS coach said. “We have championship expectations for this season, so it was definitely nice to get started on the right foot.”
Bell rushed for 124 yards on 22 carries. He also caught three passes for 25 yards. His longest run from scrimmage went for 28 yards. His longest pass reception went for 14 yards.
BV quarterback Anthony Posada completed 13 of 20 passing attempts for 131 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception.
Keenan Ellis led Baron receivers with four catches for 62 yards while Ethan Williams caught four passes for 24 yards. Jake Rozar had one catch for 16 yards.
Ellis made a dramatic tiptoe sideline grab for 24 yards on third-and-14 to help seal the win.
Bonita Vista racked up 308 offensive yards, including 177 rushing yards. Boguille rushed eight times for 54 yards, including one 26-yard bolt from scrimmage.
Boguille and teammate Atoa Fox tied for the team lead with five tackles apiece on defense. Moli Faalogo had one sack while Diego Torres had one fumble recovery.
With two field goals, 54 rushing yards and five tackles, Boguille may have turned in the best overall individual performance on the night from the victors.
The Barons next play at Imperial in another non-league game on Friday, Sept. 4.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Week 1 Scoreboard
Friday, Aug. 28
Hilltop 8, Castle Park 6
Bonita Vista 12, Vista 0
Otay Ranch 14, Valhalla 7
Mater Dei Catholic 29, Valley Center 23
Mar Vista 21, San Diego 7
La Serna 14, Eastlake 13
Mt. Carmel 14, Olympian 13
Santana 54, Southwest 0
Kearny 55, San Ysidro 10
Mt. Miguel 44, Chula Vista 24
Crean Lutheran 66, Lutheran 14
Chula Vista Calvary Christian Academy 36, Julian 30
Cardenas Federal Prep (Tijuana) 22, Montgomery 0
Saturday, Aug. 29
Santa Fe Christian 39, Sweetwater 0
Week 2 Schedule
Foothills Christian at Ocean View Christian Academy, 3:30 p.m.
Patrick Henry at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
Olympian at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
El Capitan at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
El Cajon Valley at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
South Delta (British Colombia, Canada) at Southwest, 7 p.m.
Warner Springs vs. Chula Vista Calvary Christian Academy at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Mar Vista at Clairemont, 7 p.m.
Lutheran vs. Temecula Prep at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
Otay Ranch at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
Chula Vista at San Marcos, 7 p.m.
Bonita Vista at Imperial, 7 p.m.
San Ysidro at Southwest El Centro, 7 p.m.
Eastlake at El Toro, 7 p.m.
SAN DIEGO SECTION RANKINGS
(SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll)
1. Mission Hills Grizzlies (1-0)
2. St. Augustine Saints (1-0)
3. Helix Highlanders (0-1)
4. Madison Warhawks (1-0)
5. Oceanside Pirates (1-0)
6. Torrey Pines Falcons (1-0)
7. Cathedral Catholic Dons (0-1)
8. Rancho Bernardo Broncos (1-0)
9. Christian Patriots (1-0)
10. Eastlake Titans (0-1)
Others: El Camino Wildcats (1-0), Bonita Vista (1-0), San Marcos (0-1), Carlsbad (0-1), Granite Hills (1-0), Hoover (1-0), Grossmont (1-0), Poway (1-0), Mt. Carmel (1-0), La Costa Canyon (0-0), Bishop’s (1-0)
PREP FOOTBALL LEADERS
(Based on reported statistics)
Passing
•Chris Jones (Mater Dei Catholic) 17-of-24, 231 yards, 2 TD
•Christian Dufresne (Lutheran) 14-of-23, 149 yards
•Anthony Posada (Bonita Vista) 13-of-20, 131 yards
Rushing
•Khalil Spruill (Mar Vista) 22 carries, 203 yards, 2 TD
•Traylon Reed (Eastlake) 21 carries, 159 yards, 1 TD
•Adrian Corona (Chula Vista) 151 yards, 2 TD
•Greg Bell (Bonita Vista) 22 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD
•Garry Cannon (Olympian) 12 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD
•C.J. Verdell (Mater Dei Catholic) 12 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD
•Noah Lacsina (Olympian) 9 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
•C.J. Verdell (Mater Dei Catholic) 6 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
•Eli Shelton (Mater Dei Catholic) 1 catch, 69 yards
•Keenan Ellis (Bonita Vista) 4 catches, 62 yards
