The Otay Ranch Mustangs took a big step toward securing the rights to this year’s Metro-Mesa League championship by defeating Bonita Vista, 61-21, in a game played last Friday at Southwestern College.
Gus Espiritu scored four touchdowns to lead the Mustangs, who improved to 3-0 in league play, 6-3 overall.
The Barons fell to 0-3 in league play, 0-9 on the season.
Otay Ranch has clinched no worse than a tie for this year’s league title and, following a bye week, will play at Mater Dei Catholic on Nov. 3 for sole possession of the league championship.
The Mustangs previously recorded a tri-championship with Eastlake and Chula Vista during the 2016 season.
“I was very happy with how my kids played, especially in the second half, against Bonita Vista,” ORHS head coach Lance Christensen said. “The offense was very successful in running the ball and controlling the clock. We are now working very hard to prepare for Mater Dei with the goal of achieving victory and winning the school’s first outright Mesa League championship.”
Braced by a four-game winning streak, Otay Ranch appears to be gaining momentum for the upcoming San Diego Section Division II playoffs.
There were some early butterflies on Bonita Vista’s homecoming night, however, as Ray Terrones scored on a five-yard run to give the Barons, a big underdog in the game, a 7-0 lead. The hosts then recovered their second consecutive onside kick to threaten again.
But Otay Ranch got into gear following an interception by Josh Lira. Espiritu scored his first touchdown of the night on a 60-yard breakaway run to tie the score 7-7.
Franklin Forbes hit Terrones on a 37-yard touchdown pass to put the Barons on top 14-7. But the Mustangs came back on a 32-yard TD pass from Puka Stewart to Darrian Williams.
Both teams were tied 14-14 after the first quarter but the Mustangs went on a 41-7 scoring rampage over the next two quarters to roll to the victory.
Paranada scored on an 11-yard run to put the visitors in the lead for good at 21-14 to open scoring in the second quarter.
Michael Touchette then recovered a Bonita Vista fumble to set up a three-yard rushing touchdown by Espiritu as Otay Ranch went ahead 28-14.
The Barons pulled to within 28-21 on a six-yard passing touchdown three minutes before halftime. But a long run by Stewart set up a six-yard scoring run by Espiritu to hand the Mustangs a 34-21 halftime lead.
The second half was all Otay Ranch on the scoreboard.
Williams scored on a six-yard interception return to push the Mustangs in front 42-21. He finished the game with two touchdowns.
Espiritu scored on a six-yard run to boost the Otay Ranch lead to 48-21. Paranada then scored on a 25-yard run to rocket the Mustang lead to 55-21.
Lounel Diaz recovered a fumble by Bonita Vista to set up a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Kelvin Bradley for the final score.
Final score: 61-21.
The game featured a total of 12 touchdowns between the teams — nine by Otay Ranch.
The two touchdowns give Paranada 10 rushing scores on the season.
The four touchdowns give Espiritu nine rushing scores on the season.
Stewart has now thrown 10 touchdown passes this season.
Mater Dei Catholic fell to 1-1 in league play, 4-4 on the season, following last Friday’s 49-7 loss at Eastlake.
Otay Ranch has racked up 148 points in its last four trips to the gridiron.
METRO-MESA LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
2016: Mater Dei Catholic (4-0)
2015: Bonita Vista (4-0)
2014: Eastlake (4-0)
2013: Eastlake (4-0)
2012: Olympian (4-0)
2011: Olympian (4-0)
2010: Eastlake (4-0)
2009: Eastlake (5-0)
2008: Eastlake (5-0)
2007: Eastlake (5-0)
2006: Otay Ranch (4-1), Eastlake (4-1), Chula Vista (4-1)
2005: Bonita Vista (5-0)
2004: Bonita Vista (4-0-1), Eastlake (4-0-1)
