Weeks five and six mark the halfway point of the current high school football season. Teams either reached the midpoint of regular season play last weekend or will do so this weekend.
Time has certainly gone by fast since training camps opened at the end of July.
So exactly, where does that place Metro Conference teams?
That’s a rather interesting question. Records and rankings do not necessarily tell the whole story.
At 1-3, the two-time defending state champion Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders are the conference’s top-ranked team, fitting into the No. 12 slot among the section’s Division I teams (13th overall among all divisions).
As in previous years for the Crusaders, an exceedingly strong schedule has led to a skewed win-loss record. Mater Dei Catholic started last season 0-4 before winning out the rest of the way with an 11-4 record en route to claiming the 2-AA state title.
There was no panic in the Crusaders’ camp, though this year the defending Metro-Mesa League champions are playing with a less-stacked deck.
Mater Dei Catholic reeled in its first win of the season, 30-13, at Point Loma last Friday. The host Pointers entered the non-league match-up ranked third among Division II teams with a 2-2 record.
Junior Kartell Purvis passed to senior Josiah Jefferson for the game’s opening score and senior John Scott later returned a kick-off 94 yards to solidify the visitors’ lead.
The Crusaders stack up against seventh-ranked St. Augustine (3-2) this Friday at home (6:30 p.m. start). After a bye week, they host the Montgomery Aztecs on Oct. 6, then face off Metro-Mesa play Oct. 12 at Bonita Vista in a special Thursday night match-up.
Being in Division I, Mater Dei Catholic is guaranteed a playoff berth. The top four teams qualify for the Open Division playoffs and the next 12 will contend for the Division I championship. The Crusaders are in the middle of the latter group at present.
But that could change with another prodigious winning streak.
Going down the rankings, the Eastlake Titans occupy the No. 8 spot in the Division II rankings (24th overall) while sporting a 0-5 record. The Titans’ schedule the past several seasons has been nothing short of brutal. Eastlake came up short, 45-0, in last Friday’s non-league game at Villa Park (4-0).
Again, records might be deceiving, though the Titans, owners of other lopsided 25-0, 28-9 and 35-7 setbacks this season, need to nail down a win soon to remain in playoff contention. Only the top 12 seeded teams in Division II qualify for the playoffs.
Eastlake is making the trek to Hammond Central in Indiana in a bid to break into the win column. The Wolves are 4-1 and coming off a 28-12 loss to Royal Center Pioneer in their last game after opening the season with a four-game winning streak.
How the teams match up is unknown, but the Titans will soon find out.
Horse power
Otay Ranch picked up its first victory of the season in timely manner last Friday by topping the visiting San Diego Cavers, 49-28, to improve to 1-4. Senior Kenyon Burnett paced the Mustangs with four touchdowns and 187 total yards (172 rush, 15 receiving). He scored three rushing touchdowns and also hauled in a 15-yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Tyler Geasland.
Burnett scored on a 63-yard romp and a pair of three-yard runs. Geasland completed five of seven passing attempts for 45 yards in the victory while also scoring one rushing touchdown.
Otay Ranch amassed 353 total offensive yards — of that, 308 rushing yards. Senior Oluwatolani Osinfolarin notched 11 carries for 77 yards and two touchdowns while senior Isaac Lopez had six carries for 51 yards.
The Mustang defense collected four sacks and three interceptions. Junior Diego Martinez led the team with two sacks (his eighth and ninth of the season) while junior Mason Sevilla logged four tackles and 1.5 sacks. Seniors Jamir Coleman and Josh Daffron along with junior Jason Haug each recorded one pick.
“We have a young team without a lot of varsity experience,” Mustang head coach Brad Burton noted. “We have been improving each of the last three weeks.”
Otay Ranch is sitting in the middle of the Division III field at No. 9 while the defending Metro-South Bay League champion Montgomery Aztecs are sitting on the bubble at No. 14.
Otay Ranch heads to neighborhood rival Olympian (2-3) this Friday for the schools’ annual Battle of the O’s rivalry game.
The host Eagles are coming off a 27-8 loss at Chula Vista in a rare afternoon game (4 p.m. start) last Friday.
Star power
Chula Vista and the Bonita Vista Barons are both sitting fairly pretty, at least for the moment, with 4-1 records at the midpoint of regular season play.
Is four wins enough to make the playoffs? Both the Spartans and Barons obviously want more.
“We are pleased to be sitting at 4-1 so far,” CV head coach Howard Bannister III said. “We are not happy that we had such a poor showing against Mt. Miguel, but we are young, and our focus is to simply improve every week so that we can compete at our highest level in the playoffs.
“Offensively, we have been as advertised: balanced. Izaac Baca and Elijah Gillespie have driven our passing game while Paul Alvarez and La’Darrione Perkins have anchored the run game. Both of those aspects benefit from the enormous presence of Santiago Macias on the line.
“Defensively, we have improved every week. Franky Olmedo is looking like the League Defensive MVP once again, and the tone he is setting is trickling down to our seven underclassmen on defense (including three sophomores in the secondary).
“Our first-year offensive coordinator Dre Phillips has done an excellent job.”
Paul Alvarez got the host Spartans going with 125 rushing yards and the first touchdown of the game. Photos by Phillip Brents
Chula Vista enters Friday’s vaunted Legacy of Pride game at Sweetwater (1-4) ranked third among Division IV teams behind No. 1 Mt. Miguel (4-1) and No. 2 Santana (4-1).
The Spartans and Eagles appeared to play giveaway to one another through the first half of last Friday’s daytime event. But once shadows started to creep onto the field, the teams picked up the scoring.
Chula Vista led, 7-0, at halftime on a three-yard run by Alvarez (25 carries, 125 yards) with 3:54 left in the half that was set up by a 36-yard completion from Baca to Gillespie. The hosts doubled the lead to 14-0 to start the second half on a 38-yard scoring pass from Baca to Gillespie (four catches, 96 yards).
Olympian scored on an 81-yard pass play from sophomore signal-caller Jayden Fuentes to senior A.J. Cadriel (four catches, 98 yards) to make the score 13-8 but the hosts scored the final 14 points of the contest on a one-yard run from Perkins, a two-point safety by Olmedo and a four-yard run by Baca.
Chula Vista out-gained the Eagles 361-128 in total yards. The Spartans allowed just 46 rushing yards.
“However, all eyes are on Sweetwater and retaining that Legacy of Pride Trophy,” Bannister pointed out.
The Red Devils are coming off their first win of the season after defeating the visiting Monte Vista Monarchs, 39-0, last Friday.
The Red Devils scored five rushing touchdowns — three by senior Izell Wright (17 carries, 171 yards) and two by senior Xzavier Crews (five carries, 165 yards).
Junior Jacob Gonsalves had two interceptions on defense. Junior Giovanni Aceves contributed nine kicking points on three PAT conversions and two field goals.
Sweetwater enters this week No. 2 in the Division V rankings behind El Cajon Valley (4-1).
Home sweet home
Despite getting their own on-campus stadium, Bonita Vista received permission to use nearby Southwestern College for two games this season: homecoming (last Friday) and the annual Battle for the Boot rivalry game against Eastlake (Oct. 27). The Barons entertained their homecoming crowd with a 44-0 non-league victory against the Mar Vista Mariners (1-3). The win was the third consecutive for Bonita Vista, which has outscored opponents 96-21 during that stretch and 136-61 on the season.
The Barons have steadily climbed up the Division IV rankings to No. 6 this week.
“It was a great team win and a great way to showcase our players on a large stage,” BVHS head coach Tyler Arciaga said. “It will probably our largest crowd we will have all year and it was the South Bay Game of the Week for KUSI’s Prep Pigskin Report.
“Big kudos to our offensive line for helping pave the way for our running back and not giving up any sacks. Our defense did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage and containing their skill players. It was an electric atmosphere at Southwestern College with our student body, cheerleaders, band and halftime performers. I really liked how our team was able to handle the distractions that come along with Homecoming Week and focus on the game.
The Barons, who improved to 3-0 on their home field this season, did not waste time in getting their fans to air out their lungs by leading 13-0 after the opening quarter and 34-0 at halftime.
Senior Caden Ada-Tannehill rushed for 107 yards on 12 carries and scored three touchdowns. Overall, the hosts scored six touchdowns in the game, including five rushing scores. Seniors Antonio DiStefano and Xavier Bravence both entered the end zone via the ground game while junior Isayah Luna was perfect of three passing attempts for 28 yards with a seven-yard scoring strike to senior Julian Cota.
DiStefano did connect on a 52-yard pass play to senior Julian Ramirez during the game.
The Barons won with 253 total offensive yards (173 rushing, 80 passing).
Senior Diego Bustamante led the BV defense with three sacks.
Kicker Richie Rojas collected eight points on five PAT conversions and a 44-yard field goal.
Bonita Vista travels to Calexico to take on Vincent Memorial Catholic (3-2) this Friday, then enjoys a bye week until kicking off Metro-Mesa play Oct. 5 at Olympian. The Eagles are ranked 11th in Division IV, making the upcoming encounter key for both teams.
“We have a big game this week against Vincent Memorial,” Arciaga said. “We play out in the desert and I am hoping that the players are able to put a fairly long road trip and the heat in the rearview mirror and focus on playing the game. They have a tough QB who is difficult to contain, so we have our hands full.”
Green and black
Hilltop snapped a three-game losing streak with a 43-0 non-league win at San Ysidro last Friday. The Lancers led 41-0 at halftime while adding a second-half safety on defense.
Senior Isaac Nones returned to the quarterback duty with a huge game that included 337 total offensive yards – 249 passing yards with two touchdowns and 88 rushing yards.
The offense was spread around with senior Jose Cabrera rushing 13 times for 70 yards and four touchdowns, senior Isaac Meza with seven catches for 129 yards and one touchdown, junior Juan Matuz with three catches for 115 yards and one touchdown and five kicking points from sophomore Manny Pablos.
Gilbert Preciado and Damian Moreno each had one sack while Zachary Iglesia and Omar Ojeda shared one sack. Sophomore Julian (Ju Ju) Mora and senior Hector Osuna each snagged one interception.
Hilltop head coach Bryan Wagner called it a “great team win.”
“The offense was highly efficient with 191 yards rushing and 249 passing,” he said. “The defense held San Ysidro’s offense to under a total of 50 yards rushing and passing, and two interceptions. Special teams also contributed with two turnovers on kickoffs and a safety.”
The Lancers host Castle Park (2-3) this Friday, then tackle Eastlake in a road match-up on Oct. 5.
Hilltop is ranked 12th among Division IV teams while Castle Park is ranked eighth among Division V teams.
San Ysidro (1-4) is ranked 13th in Division V.
Extra points
Southwest (ranked 11th among Division V teams) is 3-2 following a 21-14 overtime win at Calipatria while Montgomery is 2-3 following a 60-8 non-league win against Mexico’s Prepa Federal Lazaro.
Southwest senior Justice Pigee passed for one score and ran for another while junior Jaylen Garcia scored one rushing touchdown. Junior Deshawn Robinson caught one scoring pass and had three interceptions on defense.
Junior Zantez Thomas (rushing and receiving) had two TD for the Aztecs. Sophomore Andie Deanda passed for 160 yards and two touchdowns while senior Diego Villanueva passed for 79 yards and two scores. Senior Jose Guadalupe had two rushing touchdowns.
Through five weeks of play, there are seven undefeated 11-man teams: Carlsbad, Lincoln and Helix are all 5-0 while Granite Hills, Brawley, Kearny and Army-Navy Academy are all 4-0
San Diego Section Football Rankings
MaxPreps through Sept. 19
Division I: 1. Carlsbad (5-0), 2. Lincoln (5-0), 3. Helix (5-0), 4. Granite Hills (4-0), 5. Mission Hills (3-1), 6. La Costa Canyon (4-10, 7. St. Augustine (3-2), 8. Cathedral Catholic (1-4), 9. Madison (2-2), 10. El Camino (3-1), 11. Torrey Pines (3-2), 12. Mater Dei Catholic (1-3), 13. Poway (3-2), 14. San Marcos (3-2), 15. Ramona (2-2), 16. Mira Mesa (2-3)
Division II: 1. Del Norte (4-1), 2. Rancho Bernardo (3-2), 3. Oceanside (3-2). 4. La Jolla (3-2), 5. Point Loma (2-3), 6. Scripps Ranch (2-2), 7. Central Union (3-2), 8. Eastlake (0-5), 9. Brawley (4-0), 10. Mt. Carmel (3-2), 11. Christian (3-2), 12. Steele Canyon (3-2), 13. Bishop’s (1-3), 14. San Pasqual (2-3), 15. University City (0-5), 16. Rancho Buena Vista (0-4)
Division III: 1. La Jolla Country Day (4-1), 2. Mission Bay (4-1), 3. Fallbrook (3-2), 4. El Capitan (3-2), 5. Patrick Henry (2-2), 6. West Hills (3-1), 7. Santa Fe Christian (1-4), 8. Imperial (4-1), 9. Otay Ranch (1-4), 10. Valley Center (1-4), 11. Morse (2-2), 12. Grossmont (2-2), 13. Palo Verde Valley (2-3), 14. Montgomery (2-3), 15. Vista (0-5), 16. San Diego (0-4)
Division IV: 1. Mt. Miguel (4-1), 2. Santana (4-1), 3. Chula Vista (4-1), 4. Crawford (3-1), 5. Westview (3-2), 6. Bonita Vista (4-1), 7. Escondido Charter (2-2), 8. Calexico (4-1), 9. Escondido (2-3), 10. Coronado (4-1), 11. Olympian (2-3), 12. Hilltop (2-3), 13. Classical Academy (2-3), 14. Canyon Hills (0-5), 15. Francis Parker (0-5), 16. Orange Glen (1-4)
Division V: 1. El Cajon Valley (4-1), 2. Sweetwater (1-4), 3. Vincent Memorial (3-2), 4. Valhalla (2-3), 5. Kearny (4-0), 6. Hoover (3-2), 7. Southwest El Centro (2-3), 8. Castle Park (2-2), 9. Clairemont (2-3), 10. Monte Vista (1-4), 11. Southwest (3-2), 12. Mar Vista (1-3), 13. San Ysidro (1-4)
Division V-AA: 1. Army-Navy Academy (4-0), 2. Holtville (3-2), 3. Rock Academy (1-2), 4. Maranatha Christian (1-3), 5. Calipatria (3-2), 6. Mountain Empire (0-5), 7. Tri-City Christian (2-2), 8. O’Farrell Charter (0-4).
HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK
Cross country: Eastlake High School sophomore Jaelyn Williams set a new record time — 16:58.88 — in winning the Girls Division I senior sweepstakes race at last Saturday’s 43rd ASICS Mt. Carmel Invitational at Balboa Park’s Morley Field. She won her race by a sizable margin of 90 seconds.
Top 15 girls volleyball rankings: 1. Cathedral Catholic (15-2), 2. Westview (14-3), 3. Bishop’s (17-3), 4. Torrey Pines (4-2), 5. Otay Ranch (20-2), 6. El Capitan (13-4), 7. Francis Parker (9-3), 8. Eastlake (12-3), 9. San Dieguito Academy (17-6), 10. San Marcos (16-5), 11. Poway (12-5), 12. Pacific Ridge (9-5), 13. Christian (12-5), 14. Our Lady of Peace (13-4), 15. Helix (11-5)
Top 15 girls field hockey rankings: 1. La Costa Canyon (10-0), 2. Cathedral Catholic (7-0), 3. Torrey Pines (4-2), 4. Poway (5-0), 5. La Jolla (6-1-1), 6. Canyon Hills (5-1-1), 7. Valley Center (12-0), 8. Clairemont (8-0), 9. Scripps Ranch (5-3-1), 10. Bishop’s (3-4). 11. Fallbrook (5-2). 12. Canyon Crest Academy (4-5), 13. La Jolla Country Day (5-3), 14. University City (4-1), 15. Mission Vista (4-3). Others: 23. Eastlake (4-4), 25. Otay Ranch (8-7-1)
Top 15 boys water polo rankings: 1. Cathedral Catholic (5-3), 2. Santana (4-1), 3. Bishop’s (5-4), 4. La Jolla (3-1), 5. Rancho Bernardo (8-2), 6. Mt. Carmel (8-2), 7. Poway (7-3), 8. Helix (5-3), 9. Carlsbad (8-3), 10. Torrey Pines (9-5), 11. Coronado (5-2), 12. Classical Academy (5-2), 13. Clairemont (5-2), 14. Point Loma (7-1), 15. Oceanside (6-2). Others: 22. Eastlake (5-4), 25. Castle Park (6-0)
