Ocean View Christian Academy is playing a 10-game independent schedule this year. If the name sounds new to South Bay football fans, it is — Midway Baptist changed its name in accordance with its sponsoring church. The school’s nickname remains the Patriots.
OVCA athletic director Matt Horton said the school’s move to independent status for 2010 came about with a proposed realignment of the league that was subsequently postponed.
“We are in a transition year in 2010 for football, as we originally planned for a Southern League realignment to take effect this year,” Horton said. “However, now we are waiting for an entire Division V realignment to take effect in 2011.”
Horton said that in order for Southern League teams not to have to jumble their schedules to accommodate OVCA as a late entry this season, the school elected to play as an independent.
“We are still a Southern Conference member school and will rejoin a league for football next year,” Horton said.
Under new coach Ron Lowenthal, the 2010 Patriots look to be competitive regardless of which league they might be playing in. The team is braced by senior running back/linebaker Zach Balich, senior wide receiver/cornerback Jesse Johnson, senior offensive lineman/linebacker Matt Ollier, sophomore fullback/linebacker Josh Smith, sophomore quarterback/safety Andres Perez and senior offensive/defensive lineman Alan Tjalas.
Impact newcomers include junior Joseph Alexander and sophomore Josh Ollier.
The Patriots finished 4-6 in 2009, with a late charge at making the division playoffs. The team placed fifth out of eight teams in the league standings.
“We have a good core of players returning who can lead the offense and defense,” Horton said. “Our goals for the season are to improve every player’s skill level in order for them to perform at the highest level.”
The Patriots will host six games, beginning with the season opener on Sept. 3 against St. Joseph and continuing with match-ups against Classical Academy (eight-man) on Sept. 18, Pacific Lutheran (eight-man) on Oct. 1, Julian on Oct. 15, San Diego Jewish Academy on Oct. 21 and Borrego Springs on Nov. 5.
Despite not playing a complete Southern League schedule in 2010, OVCA still has five former league rivals on its slate. The Patriots also will test San Pasqual Academy and Calvary Christian Academy in away contests.
Ocean View Christian Academy
2010 Varsity Football Schedule
September
3: St. Joseph at OVCA, 7 p.m.
11: OVCA vs. Lutheran at Grossmont College, 2 p.m.
18: Classical Academy at OCVA, 2 p.m.
24: OVCA at Liberty Christian (Huntington Beach), 7 p.m.
October
1: Pacific Lutheran at OCVA, 3:30 p.m.
8: Bye
15: Julian at OVCA, 7 p.m.
21: San Diego Jewish Academy at OVCA, 3:30 p.m.
29: OVCA vs. San Pasqual Academy at Old Ramona High School, 7 p.m.
November
5: Borrego Springs at OVCA, 7 p.m.
12: OVCA vs. Calvary Christian Academy
