Last Friday’s Otay Ranch-Eastlake match-up, with 67 points scored between the two teams, proved to be one of the more exciting contests played this season in the Metro Conference. Friday’s Mesa League clash between host Otay Ranch and the Bonita Vista Barons looks to be just as exciting, and with the same degree of importance.
Kick-off is 7 p.m. at The Ranch.
Both teams are fighting for berths in the upcoming San Diego Section playoffs. Otay Ranch’s post-season chances seem more favorable in the Division I bracket, with the Mustangs currently sporting a 3-4 overall record. The Barons are 2-5 and hovering near the bottom of the Division II standings.
Every game from now on is essentially a must-win scenario for the Barons, who kicked off the season with one of the section’s more demanding schedules and had that compounded by a spate of injuries. BVHS started the season 0-5 before finally registering a win — 20-8 over Hilltop on Oct. 1 — and adding to that by defeating visiting Mater Dei Catholic, 41-7, in another non-league clash last Friday.
The Barons are riding a two-game winning streak, having outscored their last two opponents 61-15.
Felix Garcia rushed for 201 yards on 25 attempts and scored three touchdowns to key Bonita Vista in last Friday’s win. He scored on runs of five, 29 and 55 yards. Quarterback Ryan Miguel rushed seven times for 38 yards and also completed five of eight passing attempts for 64 yards, including an eight-yard scoring pass to Chris Moore.
Greg McGhee caught four passes for 37 yards and tacked on 17 rushing yards.
Nathan Drum kicked a pair of 33-yard field goals while successfully converting five extra-point kicks to finish the game with 11 points.
Bonita Vista led 21-0 at halftime and 24-7 after three quarters before piling up 17 fourth quarter points.
Alex Gutierrez completed the Barons’ scoring on a 62-yard interception return.
Meanwhile, Otay Ranch had a breakout game in its developing rivalry series against Eastlake by playing the second-ranked Titans to a 21-all standoff midway through the third quarter in an eventual 40-27 loss.
While the Barons find themselves in dire circumstances in search of an at-large playoff berth (the saving grace would be an automatic entry as the league champion), the Mustangs are seeking additional wins to improve their chance of hosting a first-round playoff game.
Key stat for the Barons: Garcia has scored five touchdowns in his last two games.
Key stat for the Mustangs: David Mondy has scored nine touchdowns this season.
