It’s mathematically impossible for the Sweetwater Red Devils to finish 10-0 this spring. But new head coach Ervin Hernandez would find a 5-0 finish perfectly acceptable.
The Red Devils improved their early season record to 2-0 following last Friday’s 22-6 non-league victory against the visiting El Cajon Valley Braves.
Senior quarterback Mario Villa rushed for 128 yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the Devils to their latest win. Jacob Martinez tacked on two extra-point conversions while Carlos Hopper recorded an endzone sack for a two-point safety to account for their scoring.
Sweetwater has outscored its opening two opponents 58-14 in advance of Friday’s Metro-Pacific League opener against the visiting Castle Park Trojans.
Kick-off is 6:30 p.m. at Gail Devers Stadium.
Hernandez said his team had to deal with getting over the nervousness of playing its first home game in two years. The Devils had to play all their home games at a neutral site last season after wear damage to the school’s playing field had to be repaired.
“From our first game, we had more mental errors because the kids were excited to play at home,” the SuHi coach said. “This was our first game in two years since they re-did the field. We didn’t have any home games last season. As the game went on, we played better.”
Villa has scored five touchdowns to lead the National City team while rushing for 293 yards. Hopper ranks second on the team with 249 rushing yards, followed by junior Javier Sanchez with 162 yards and one touchdown.
“I feel pressure knowing that I can’t slack off on any play because I know my teammates look to me as a leader,” said Villa, the player of the game. “If I play hard, they play hard.”
El Cajon Valley (0-2) avoided a shutout when senior Clarence Johnson caught a 67-yard desperation pass from senior Joe Malone on the game’s last play.
Senior Albert Vargas keyed the SuHi defensive effort with nine tackles while junior Fabian Venegas notched eight stops. The Devils amassed five sacks, including 2.5 by Hopper, the defensive player of the game. Sophomore Cesar Guerra (six tackles) and Sanchez (six tackles) both had one sack while senior Ryan Celiceo was credited with a half sack. Guerra also caused a fumble.
Sweetwater’s offensive game plan once again included ball possession. The hosts racked up 280 total offensive yards — 278 on the ground. Villa completed one of three attempts for two yards (to Vargas).
Hopper finished the game with 101 rushing yards on 14 carries while Sanchez had seven carries for 47 yards.
Villa scored his first touchdown on a two-yard sneak with 3:10 left in the opening quarter and added an eight-yard rushing TD with 3:18 left in the second quarter. He scored his third touchdown. Martinez tacked on successful extra-point conversions on both scores to boost the Devils to a 14-0 halftime lead.
The hosts added eight points in the fourth quarter after a scoreless third quarter. Malone was sacked in the end zone with 6:23 remaining in the game to hike the score to 16-0 in favor of the hosts. Villa scored on a five-yard run with 1:20 to play following the free kick on the safety, which Sweetwater advanced to the Braves 33-yard line.
The Braves (0-2) did have their opportunities to score, including a goal line stand by the hosts to turn the ball over on the four-yard line in the second quarter. A score by the visitors could have made it a tie game at that juncture.
“The guys (on defense) made so many plays to give our offense a chance,” ECV coach Nick Osborn said. “They really played their hearts out. We showed some flashes. We had some dropped balls. We started to click toward the end of the game. But you’ve got to give credit to Sweetwater. They’re a tough team. They made some plays.”
El Cajon Valley quarterback Joe Malone (4) connected with running back/receiver Clarence Johnson (1) for a dramatic last-second score. Photos by Phillip Brents
Malone finished the game 12 completed in 21 passing attempts for 141 yards with one touchdown. He added 12 rushing yards on five attempts to finish the game with a 93.6 quarterback efficiency rating.
El Cajon Valley totaled 197 yards in offense.
Johnson carried the ball 11 times for 45 yards and caught four passes for 78 yards, including a touchdown. He finished the game with 123 total yards.
Junior Jayden Barnett had one catch for 20 yards while sophomore Joshua McComb had two catches for 20 yards.
The visitors lost two fumbles — once each by Johnson and senior Wendall Walcott Jr. Johnson led the Braves with seven tackles while Walcott had five stops. Johnson also caused one fumble, as did Walcott. Malone had two recoveries on errant snaps.
El Cajon Valley returns to action Thursday at Monte Vista for a Grossmont Valley League contest. Kick-off is 7 p.m.
The defending league champion Monarchs improved to 2-0 after downing West Hills, 36-6, last Friday behind 345 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Senior Deron Whitley rushed for 118 yards with three touchdowns while senior Lamonta Jenkins carried for 106 yards and one touchdown.
The Wolf Pack scored on a pass from junior Braden Oberg to junior Dylan Snyder.
Trojans kick off Metro-Pacific League play with 54-16 win over Cougars
Will the Castle Park Trojans step forward as the 2020-21 Metro-Pacific League champions? Based on last Friday’s breakaway win at San Ysidro High School, the Trojans certainly should be considered among this year’s favorites.
Senior Erik Hernandez rushed for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns while senior fullback Ramon Cabal rushed for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns — one on offense and one on defense with a fumble recovery — to lead Castle Park.
The Metro-Pacific League has become a four-team playing circuit following the cancellation of the season by the Southwest Raiders because of a lack of a sustainable roster to compete in a safe manner.
Castle Park (1-1) joins Sweetwater (2-0), Mar Vista (0-0) and San Ysidro (0-2) as remaining league members.
Junior Mckai Jackson (six catches, 44 yards) and senior Brett Laing (eight carries, 81 yards) both scored touchdowns for San Ysidro last Friday.
Junior quarterback Chris Rodriguez led the Cougars with 161 yards (81 passing yards, 80 rushing yards).
Jackson led the Cougars with 13 tackles.
Castle Park recovered two fumbles and made two interceptions on defense.
