Mater Dei Catholic once again tops Metro Conference football rankings in search of third consecutive state title
With back-to-back state championships under their cleats, it will be interesting to see what the Mater Dei Catholic football team has planned for an encore this season.
The Crusaders kick off the new season Friday with a non-league spectacular at Cathedral Catholic High School, annually a measuring stick in the San Diego Section. The defending Metro-Mesa League champions remain on the road for an Aug. 26 elite match-up against the Carlsbad Lancers before playing their home opener Sept. 7 against the Lincoln Hornets.
Lincoln defeated Carlsbad to win last year’s Open Division championship before going on to capture the Division 1-AA state championship.
The Crusaders claimed last year’s Division 2-AA state title.
Following the opening three-game foray, Mater Dei Catholic head coach John Joyner will have a very good idea if his team has what it takes to challenge for another section title and beyond.
The Crusaders started last season 0-4 before finishing the season in dominating fashion with an 11-0 rush that included a thrilling 34-29 win over Mission Hills for the Division I championship and final 11-4 record.
Lincoln kicks off the 2023 season as the section’s top-ranked team, followed by No. 2 Carlsbad, No. 3 Granite Hills and No. 4 Mater Dei Catholic.
Rounding out the top 10 are No. 5 Madison, No. 6 Mission Hills, No. 7 Cathedral Catholic, No. 8 Helix, No. 9 El Camino, No. 10 Poway.
Eastlake is the only other Metro Conference team in the top 25 section rankings to start the season at No. 22. Defending Metro-South Bay League champion Montgomery enters the season at No. 44, followed by Otay Ranch at No. 52, defending Metro-Pacific League champion Chula Vista at No. 57, Bonita Vista at No. 62, Hilltop at No. 63, Mar Vista at No. 65, Sweetwater at No. 68, Olympian at No. 69, Castle Park at No. 71, San Ysidro at No. 78 and Southwest at No. 80.
A total of 85 teams were ranked by MaxPreps in its preseason poll.
Metro-Mesa League preview
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
The Crusaders lost 23 players to graduation but don’t really suffer a talent drain as most of the returners enjoyed back-up roles last season.
“I think a lot of the guys who played behind our starters last year were good players,” Joyner assessed.
The team’s shining stars this season include senior cornerback/receiver Isaiah Buxton (23 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions in 12 games), senior tailback/linebacker Anthony McMillian Jr. (1,270 yards, 12 rushing touchdowns), senior receiver Johnny Scott (280 receiving yards, two touchdowns in seven games), senior cornerback/tailback Jordan Jackson (164 yards in nine games).
McMillian enters the season among the state’s top-ranked running backs. He also registered six sacks on defense last season.
The 2023 group will be guided by new quarterback Kartell Purvis, a junior, who Joyner said he expects good things from. Purvis threw for 384 yards with four touchdowns in nine game appearances last season.
Senior defensive end/tight end Zach Dare stands 6-6 and should be a load to contain.
Eastlake Titans
Once the monsters of the Metro, the Titans drop to Division II this season. Team members say they’re not there to be stepped on but to show up. Eastlake should find the new division more to its liking after finishing near the bottom of the Division I rankings in recent years.
Key seniors include linebacker/tight end Caleb Addleman, linebacker/receiver Fabian Gerbella and offensive lineman Austin Michael.
Gerbella rushed for 389 yards and five touchdowns while passing for 268 yards and one touchdown last season. Addleman had five catches for 73 yards in seven games, a 14.6-yard per catch average.
The Titans kick off the season with a non-league game at Apple Valley before hosting Capistrano Valley Aug. 25), Del Norte (Sept. 1) and Granite Hills (Sept. 9) in succession. Two road games follow: Sept. 14 at Villa Park and Sept. 22 at Hammond Central. Yes, the latter is in Indiana.
And yes, despite the move in divisions, the schedule is still challenging.
League play occupies the final three games of the season.
Eastlake finished 3-8 last season with a winning 2-1 league record. The Titans, who kicked off the 2022 season with six consecutive losses, won three of their final four regular season games and fell begrudgingly, 13-6, to St. Augustine in the opening round of the Division I playoffs.
The Titans will be looking to bring the momentum generated last year into the new season.
Otay Ranch Mustangs
The Mustangs qualified for the Division II playoffs last season despite fielding a 3-6 regular season record. The team drops to Division III this season with the enhanced hope of another playoff appearance.
Otay Ranch kicks off the season Friday at Mt. Carmel, then enjoys a spread of four consecutive home games (Point Loma on Aug. 25, Mira Mesa on Sept. 1, Central Union on Sept. 8 and San Diego on Sept. 15) in a bid to get off to a strong start.
Non-league games follow against Olympian on Sept. 22 (Battle of the O’s rivalry game) and Sweetwater on Oct. 16, both on the road.
Head coach Brad Burton lists four returning starts on offense and two returning starters on defense. A lot of new faces will obviously contribute.
The Mustangs’ offense will be led by the 2022 Offensive MVP Issac Lopez, a senior slot player, and scoring leader Tolani Osinfolarin, a senior running back.
Newcomer Shawn Pomatto, a senior quarterback, and returning junior receiver Johnnie Welborne will pace the Otay Ranch passing attack while returning senior linemen Jared Nicolas and David Mendoza will clear the way for the ground game, according to Burton.
The defense returns senior linebackers Josh Daffron and Ricky Aguilar. It will be bolstered by safeties Kenyon Burnett (senior) and Prince John Dumaran (junior) as well as junior linebacker Joey Brinkman.
Pomatto played at Eastlake last season, generating 206 yards in five games with two touchdowns.
Bonita Vista Barons
The Barons’ schedule remains challenging, especially their league schedule. The team graduated 24 players but return nine starters, including college prospects Kelly Brown, a 6-2, 285-pound senior offensive/defensive lineman, and Jayden Peterson, a 5-9, 170-pound receiver/defensive back.
Other returners include senior linebacker/running back Caden Ada-Tannehill, senior linebacker Landon Wales, senior linebacker Nate Sandoval, senior defensive lineman Diego Bustamante, senior linemen Sebastian Flores and Aiden Provencio and senior receiver/defensive back Austin Snook. Senior receiver/defensive back Sergio Moreno rounds out the group of returners.
Flores (6-1, 270) and Provencio (6-1, 265) both possess good size along with Bustamante (6-0, 200).
Ada-Tannehill rushed for 395 yards and scored two touchdowns last season.
Top newcomers include sophomore lineman Nikolas Edwards, junior defensive back Diego Lopez, junior running back/defensive back Kenny Jordan, junior kicker Richie Roja, junior defensive back/receiver Dakarrai Roberson and junior running back Able Meza.
Lopez stands 6-0 and weighs 245 pounds. Roberson is a transfer from Morse.
“Our strengths will be our running backs and our linebackers,” BVHS head coach Tyler Arciaga said. “We have multiple returning starters in both roles with other players pushing for playing time. Our receivers and defensive backs have some experience and, as do our lines, but we are looking for some newcomers to step up and challenge some positions for immediate backups.
“We have three quarterbacks vying for the starting job. Senior Antonio DiStefano was the immediate backup and star A-game for us last year, but he is still not 100 percent recovered from shoulder surgery, Transfer Isayah Luna (a junior, from Olympian) and David Wendeln-Lankard (senior newcomer) are battling out for the starting spot, which probably will not get determined until after our scrimmage.”
Metro-South Bay League preview
Montgomery Aztecs
Montgomery appears loaded to repeat but the Aztecs do have a somewhat challenging schedule to work through that includes Mater Dei Catholic n non-league play.
The Aztecs, who finished 8-3 a year ago with a berth in the Division IV quarterfinals, kick off 2023 play Friday at Coronado.
Players to watch include senior tight end, outside linebacker, defensive end Mike Mohr, senior receiver cornerback Aerek Brown, junior two-way player Raul Moreno, senior quarterback/middle linebacker Diego Villanueva, defensive tackle Mario Gonzalez and senior free safety/receiver Dalaias Garcia.
Villanueva passed for 668 yards and four touchdowns last season while Mohr had 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Brown had 11 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.
Arath Leyva ranked second on the team with 72 tackles and led the team with 13 sacks.
Hilltop Lancers
The Lancers finished 5-6 last year but could have squeezed out a couple more victories with better execution.
Top returners include senior offensive lineman/linebacker Gio Chavez, senior receiver/free safety Isaac Meza, senior quarterback Isaac Nones, senior offensive lineman Jose Garcia, senior linebacker Adrian Mendez, senior receiver/defensive back Nick Moore, senior offensive lineman/outside linebacker Nicolas Blea and junior Mason Vaquero.
Chavez and Meza were both second team all-league picks last season. Mendez led the team with 75 tackles while Chavez had 31 tackles and two sacks.
Meza had 17 catches for 280 yards and one touchdown while Nones passed for 184 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for an additional 100 yards in nine games.
Impact newcomers include junior running back Andy Bautista, junior receiver/free safety Juan Matuz, sophomore offensive lineman Michael Maddy and junior defensive back John Ruiz.
“We will be competitive this year,” head coach Bryan Wagner said. “We will have a lot of speed on offense and will look to spread the ball around to get it to our athletes in space. The defense should be solid. We have some pretty good athletes, so we should be O.K. on both offense and defense. Our running game will complement our ability to throw the ball.”
Olympian Eagles
The Eagles landed with a 4-6 record this season and will be looking for even more success under new head coach Brad Carter.
“We will be a senior-led team with a big 2024 class,” Carter said. “We have lots of experience all over the field. We will be starting a sophomore quarterback, but all other positions have experienced starters. We are excited to play a schedule we feel is favorable and looking forward to competing for a league title at the end of the season. We are also looking forward to a successful run in the Division IV playoffs.”
Impact returners include all-league performers Ceejay Clavier (linebacker), Matthew Latimer (defensive/offensive lineman), Jacob Marcial (receiver/defensive back) and Ethan Roberts (defensive back), all seniors.
Clavier ranked second on the team last season with 73 tackles while Roberts ranked third with 53 stops. Roberts also had two interceptions. Marcial racked up 487 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2022.
The team’s impact newcomers include sophomore running back Sean Zabayle, sophomore quarterback Jayden Fuentes, junior defensive lineman Aiden Flores and junior receiver/defensive back Arnoldo Mora Jr.
Sweetwater Red Devils
The Red Devils finished 3-7 last season without a playoff berth and will be looking to correct that this season.
Top returners include senior running back/linebacker Carlos Delgado, senior running back/defensive lineman Izell Wright RB/DL, senior receiver/defensive back Xzavier Crews and junior quarterback/running back/linebacker Zaryan Crews.
Delgado, Wright and Xzavier Crews are all two-time all-league selections.
Xzavier Crews rushed for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 2022 while Zaryan Crews rushed for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Delgado rushed for 233 yards and scored three touchdowns while Wright rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Delgado led the team with 72 tackles while Wright ranked third with 59 stops. Wright led the team with six sacks while Delgado had five. Xzavier Crews had three interceptions.
Impact newcomers include senior quarterback/linebacker Kenny Fulgham and junior offensive/defensive lineman Victor Nunez De La Cruz.
“We are looking to bounce back from a 3-7 season,” head coach Ervin Hernandez said. “We had a solid offseason in the weight room and the kids have bought into our theme this season of accountability, believe, and compete. Our goals are always to win practice and give perfect effort each day. We are expecting to compete in the Metro South Bay League.”
Metro-Pacific League preview
Chula Vista Spartans
The Spartans became league champions again after a long spell by defeating Castle Park, 34-0, for last year’s Metro-Pacific title. The newly crowned league champions ventured two rounds into the Division IV playoffs.
CV head coach Howard Bannister III said the offseason has been “great” as his team competed in 7-on-7 events. The Spartans advanced to the championship semifinals of the 15th annual Southwestern Passing Tournament, losing only the powerhouse Mater Dei Catholic in the two-day event.
“Defensively we’re going to be solid,” Bannister said.
Key returners include junior quarterback Izaac Baca and junior receiver Elijah Gillespie. Baca passed for 954 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while Gillespie collected 411 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Also returning are four-year starter Nathan Houck, a senior strong safety, defensive end and outside linebacker, senior nose guard, defensive tackle Santiago Macias (6-6, 332), defensive player of the year Franky Olmedo, a senior defensive end/offensive lineman, and senior two-way player Paul Alvarez.
Olmedo paced the team with 75 tackles in 11 games last season and 6.5 sacks. Alvarez rushed for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.
Chula Vista hosts La Jolla Country Day in their season opener on Friday before making a short road trip to Mt. Miguel on Aug. 25. The Spartans travel to Hilltop for the annual Kiwanis Bowl on Aug. 31 and play at Sweetwater on Sept. 22 in the Legacy of Pride game, the county’s longest continuous rivalry game.
Chula Vista kicks off league play Sept. 29 at Mar Vista. The big rematch comes Oct. 19 at Castle Park.
“I prefer to say that we’re reloading rather than rebuilding,” Bannister said.
Castle Park, Mar Vista, San Ysidro and Southwest are all vying for Division V playoff berths this year. Thus, each game against the other will be of primary importance.
CASTLE PARK TROJANS
Castle Park coach Paco Silva, whose team features 16 returning players, said the Trojans “expect to play for the league championship.”
“We had a great summer workout, the best since pre-COVID,” Silva said. “If we stay healthy, we expect a good run for the league title. The kids are becoming a team, playing with confidence, and enthusiasm.”
That counts for much.
The Trojans kick off their season Aug. 17 with a non-league game at Bonita Vista’s new on-campus stadium.
Top returners include junior quarterback Dillan Villarreal, senior guard/middle linebacker Bryan Antunez, senior center Adrian Gomez, senior fullback/middle linebacker Sebastian Lozano, senior guard Giovanni Mosley, senior receiver/cornerback Nicholas Lopez 12, senior tight end/middle linebacker Francisco Saucedo, senior strong safety Rueben Carranza, senior slot back/outside linebacker Adrian Samanigeo, senior free safety Diego Sandoval, sophomore Aiden Orosco, juniors Caleb Quintero, Chris Hayes and Andre Vallle and seniors Angel Padilla and Jeremy Murua.
Villarreal, Lozano and Lopez were all-league selections last season.
Villarreal passed for 855 yards with seven touchdowns (against 15 interceptions) while rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Lozano ranked third on the team with 51 tackles while Lopez notched 39 tackles and a team-leading four interceptions.
Ladell Hampton rushed for 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022.
Impact newcomers include senior quarterback/tight end/free safety Josiah Buggs, junior Anthony Vidiro and senior Rawa Mohammed.
Southwest Raiders
After a 4-6 season, the Southwest Raiders are looking to improve, according to head coach Domonic Cruz.
“We had a very young team last season and we return a strong core group of juniors and seniors,” Cruz said. “We lost a veteran QB and have a newcomer running the offense. Our hope is to compete every game and we will have to wait and see where we are at the end of October.”
Top returners include junior running back/linebacker Nery Gomez, junior offensive/defensive lineman Matthew Martinez, junior defensive back/receiver Jaylen Garcia and senior athletes Issak Tapia and Andrew Moreno.
Impact newcomers include senior quarterback/defensive back Justice Pigee and senior offensive/defensive lineman Pavel Sheshtakov.
The Raiders kick off the new season Friday, Aug. 18, with a non-league game at Tri-City Christian.
San Ysidro Cougars
San Ysidro finished 3-7 last season and did not make the playoffs after finishing 5-6 with a two-deep run into the Division V playoffs in 2021.
The Cougars will be challenged this season.
“We lost our two most productive players to transfer (sophomore receiver A.J. Logan and senior quarterback/receiver Johnny Castro), but the team seems to be rallying around the underdog mentality,” head coach Keith Aguon said. “We will be very young on offense with sophomores starting at quarterback and running back. However, on defense we will be experienced with six senior starters returning. We expect to compete in every game this season with the goal being to win league.”
Top returners include juniors Ozmark Jaime (center), Jaiden Dominguez (MLB/RB), Adrien Figueroa (OT), Max Espinoza (WR/OLB) and Preston Tygart (TE) and seniors xx
Jose Atfield (NT), Omar Vargas (WR/DB) and Edwin Saldivar (CB/WR).
Jaime, Dominguez and Atfield all earned second team all-league status last season.
The team’s impact newcomers include sophomores Dario Garcia (QB), Nathan Lintag (RB) and Nylan Osuna (OL) and juniors Gabriel Roque (WR) and Ivan Quintero (DE).
San Ysidro kicks off the 2023 season with a non-league game at Kearny on Friday, Aug. 18.
Mar Vista preview to be added.
Prep Football Alignment
Metro Conference
Metro-Mesa League: Bonita Vista, Eastlake, Mater Dei Catholic, Otay Ranch
Metro-South Bay League: Hilltop, Montgomery, Olympian, Sweetwater
Metro-Pacific League: Castle Park, Chula Vista, Mar Vista, San Ysidro, Southwest
8-Man
Ocean League: Calvin Christian, Coastal Academy, Foothills Christian, an Diego Jewish Academy, St. Joseph, Victory Christian Academy
2023 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES
Metro-Mesa League
Bonita Vista Barons
August
17: Castle Park at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
25: Bonita Vista at Kalani (Hawaii), 5 p.m.
September
1: Sweetwater at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
8: Bonita Vista at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
15: Mar Vista at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
22: Bonita Vista at Vincent Memorial, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: Bonita Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
12: Mater Dei Catholic at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
20: Bonita Vista at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.
27: Eastlake at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
Eastlake Titans
August
18: Eastlake at Apple Valley, 7 p.m.
25: Capistrano Valley at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
September
1: Del Norte at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
8: Granite Hills at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
14: Eastlake at Villa Park, 7 p.m.
22: Eastlake at Hammond Central (Indiana), 7 p.m.
October
5: Hilltop at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
13: Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
20: Eastlake at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
27: Eastlake at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
August
18: Mater Dei Catholic at Cathedral Catholic, 7 p.m.
25: Mater Dei Catholic at Carlsbad, 7 p.m.
September
8: Lincoln at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
15: Mater Dei Catholic at Point Loma, 7 p.m.
22: St. Augustine at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
October
6: Montgomery at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
12: Mater Dei Catholic at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
20: Eastlake at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
26: Mater Dei Catholic at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
Otay Ranch Mustangs
August
17: Otay Ranch at Mt. Carmel, 7 p.m.
25: Point Loma at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
September
1: Mira Mesa at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
8: Central Union at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
15: San Diego at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
22: Otay Ranch at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: Otay Ranch at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
12: Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
20: Bonita Vista at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.
26: Mater Dei Catholic at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
Metro-South Bay League
Hilltop Lancers
August
18: Hilltop at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
24: Hilltop at Temescal Canyon, 7 p.m.
September
8: Bonita Vista at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
15: Hilltop at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
22: Castle Park at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
October
5: Hilltop at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
12: Olympian at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
20: Hilltop at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
27: Sweetwater at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
Montgomery Aztecs
August
18: Montgomery at Coronado, 7 p.m.
25: Escondido Charter at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
September
8: El Cajon Valley at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
22: Montgomery at Canyon Hills, 7 p.m.
October
6: Montgomery at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
12: Montgomery at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
20: Hilltop at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
27: Olympian at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
Olympian Eagles
August
17: Westview at Olympian, 7 p.m.
25: Olympian at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
September
1: Trivium Prep (Goodyear, Ariz.) at Olympian, 7 p.m.
7: Olympian at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
15: Olympian at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
22: Otay Ranch at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: Bonita Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
13: Olympian at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
20: Sweetwater at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
27: Olympian at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
Sweetwater Red Devils
August
18: Mt. Miguel at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
25: Sweetwater at Santana, 7 p.m.
September
1: Sweetwater at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
7: Sweetwater at Mission Bay, 7 p.m.
15: Monte Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
22: Chula Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: Otay Ranch at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
12: Montgomery at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
20: Sweetwater at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.
27: Sweetwater at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
Metro-Pacific League
Castle Park Trojans
August
17: Castle Park at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
25: Castle Park at Calexico, 7 p.m.
September
1: TBA at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
8: Castle Park at Rock Academy, 6:30 p.m.
14: Crawford at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
22: Castle Park at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: San Ysidro at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
13: Castle Park at Mar Vista, 6:30 p.m.
20: Chula Vista at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
27: Castle Park at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
Chula Vista Spartans
August
18: La Jolla Country Day at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.
25: Chula Vista at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
31: Chula Vista at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.
September
7: Canyon Hills at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.
15: Olympian at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
22: Chula Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
29: Chula Vista at Mar Vista, 6:30 p.m.
October
13: Southwest at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
19: Chula Vista at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
27: San Ysidro at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
Mar Vista Mariners
August
18: Mar Vista at O’Farrell Charter, 6:30 p.m.
25: Mar Vista at Valhalla, 6:30 p.m.
September
1: Mar Vista at Crawford, 6:30 p.m.
15: Mar Vista at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.
22: Mar Vista at Coronado, 6:30 p.m.
29: Chula Vista at Mar Vista, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: Mar Vista at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
13: Castle Park at Mar Vista, 6:30 p.m.
20: San Ysidro at Mar Vista, 6:30 p.m.
27: Westview at Mar Vista, 6:30 p.m.
San Ysidro Cougars
August
18: San Ysidro at Kearny, 8 p.m.
24: San Ysidro at Hoover, 7 p.m.
31: Valhalla at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
September
8: Monte Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
15: Hilltop at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
22: San Ysidro at Rock Academy, 6:30 p.m.
29: Southwest at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: San Ysidro at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
20: San Ysidro at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
27: San Ysidro at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
Southwest Raiders
August
18: Southwest at Tri-City Christian, 7 p.m.
25: Mountain Empire at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
September
1: Kearny at Southwest, 7 p.m.
8: Clairemont at Southwest, 6 p.m.
15: Southwest at Calipatria, 7 p.m.
22: Southwest at O’Farrell Charterm 4:30 p.m.
29: Southwest at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
October
6: Mar Vista at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
13: Southwest at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
27: Castle Park at Southwest, 6:30 p.m.
Metro Conference
2023 Football Alignment
Metro-Mesa League
Bonita Vista Barons
Eastlake Titans
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
Otay Ranch Mustangs
Metro-South Bay League
Hilltop Lancers
Montgomery Aztecs
Olympian Eagles
Sweetwater Red Devils
Metro-Pacific League
Castle Park Trojans
Chula Vista Spartans
Mar Vista Mariners
San Ysidro Cougars
Southwest Raiders
OCEAN LEAGUE (8-MAN)
Victory Christian Academy
August
18: Leadership Military Academy at Victory Christian Academy, 6 p.m.
26: Victory Christian at Flintridge Prep (La Canada), 4 p.m.
September
1: Victory Christian at Hesperia Christian, 7 p.m.
14: Victory Christian at Foothills Christian, 6 p.m.
29: St. Joseph Academy at Victory Christian, 7 p.m.
October
6: New Designs Watts at Victory Christian, 7 p.m.
13: San Diego Jewish Academy at Victory Christian, 2 p.m.
20: Victory Christian at Calvin Christian, 7 p.m.
27: Coastal Academy at Victory Christian, 7 p.m.
Grossmont Hills League
Granite Hills Eagles
19: Mission Hills at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.
September
1: Granite Hills vs. St. Augustine (neutral site), 7 p.m.
8: Granite Hills at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
14: Granite Hills at Central Union, 7 p.m.
22: Madison at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.
29: Granite Hills at Santana, 7 p.m.
October
6: West Hills at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.
13: Granite Hills at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
20: Helix at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.
26: Granite Hills at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
Grossmont Foothillers
August
18: San Diego at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
25: Olympian at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
September
1: Palo Verde Valley at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
8: Mt. Miguel at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
22: Grossmont at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
29: Grossmont at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
October
6: Grossmont at Helix, 7 p.m.
13: West Hills at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
20: Grossmont at Santana, 7 p.m.
26: Granite Hills at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
Helix Highlanders
August
25: Helix at St. Francis, 7 p.m.
September
2: Helix vs. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.), 4 p.m. (neutral site)
8: Helix at Madison, 7 p.m.
15: Helix at Cathedral Catholic, 7 p.m.
28: Helix at West Hills, 7 p.m.
October
6: Grossmont at Helix, 7 p.m.
12: Santana at Helix, 7 p.m.
20: Helix at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.
27: Steele Canyon at Helix, 7 p.m.
Santana Sultans
August
17: Canyon Hills at Santana, 7 p.m.
25: Sweetwatert at Santana, 6:30 p.m.
31: Santana at Coronado, 7 p.m.
September
7: Santana at Fallbrook, 7 p.m.
15: Santana at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
29: Granite Hills at Santana, 7 p.m.
October
6: Steele Canyon at Santana, 7 p.m.
12: Santana at Helix, 7 p.m.
20: Grossmont at Santana, 7 p.m.
27: Santana at West Hills, 7 p.m.
Steele Canyon Cougars
August
18: Steele Canyon at Heritage, 7 p.m.
25: Madison at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
September
1: Steele Canyon at San Marcos, 7:15 p.m.
8: Steele Canyon at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
14: Valhalla at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
29: Grossmont at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
October
6: Steele Canyon at Santana, 7 p.m.
13: Granite Hills at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
21: West Hills at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
27: Steele Canyon at Helix, 7 p.m.
West Hills Wolf Pack
August
18: Imperial at West Hills, 7 p.m.
25: West Hills at Coronado, 7 p.m.
31: West Hills at Vista, 7 p.m.
September
7: Patrick Henry at West Hills, 7 p.m.
22: El Capitan at West Hills, 7 p.m.
28: Helix at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
October
6: West Hills at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.
13: West Hills at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
21: West Hills at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
27: Santana at West Hills, 7 p.m.
Grossmont Valley League
El Cajon Valley Braves
August
18: El Cajon Valley at Crawford, 7 p.m.
25: Classical Academy at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.
September
1: El Cajon Valley at Vincent Memorial, 7 p.m.
8: El Cajon Valley at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
15: Clairemont at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.
29: Holtville at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.
October
6: El Cajon Valley at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
13: El Cajon Valley at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
20: Mt. Miguel at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.
26: El Capitan at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.
El Capitan Vaqueros
August
18: El Capitan at Valley Center, 7 p.m.
25: El Capitan at Canyon Hills, 7 p.m.
September
1: La Jolla at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
8: Steele Canyon at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
15: Santana at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
22: El Capitan at West Hills, 7 p.m.
29: Monte Vista at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
October
5: Valhalla at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
12: El Capitan at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
26: El Capitan at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.
Monte Vista Monarchs
August
18: Vincent Memorial, 6:30 p.m.
24: Kearny at Monte Vista, 6:30 p.m.
September
1: Corona at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
8: Monte Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
15: Monte Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
22: Grossmont at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
29: Monte Vista at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
October
6: El Cajon Valley at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
19: Valhalla at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
27: Monte Vista at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
Mt. Miguel Matadors
August
18: Mt. Miguel at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.
25: Chula Vista at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
31: Montgomery at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
September
8: Mt. Miguel at Grossmont, 7 p.m.
15: Bishop’s at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
22: Mt. Miguel at Rancho Buena Vista, 7 p.m.
29: Mt. Miguel at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
October
12: El Capitan at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
20: Mt. Miguel at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.
27: Monte Vista at Mt. Miguel, 7 p.m.
Valhalla Norsemen
August
18: Hilltop at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
25: Mar Vista at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
31: Valhalla at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.
September
7: Olympian at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
14: Valhalla at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
22: Valhalla at Christian, 7 p.m.
29: Mt. Miguel at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
October
5: Valhalla at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
13: El Cajon Valley at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
19: Valhalla at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
City Eastern League
Christian Patriots
August
17: Mission Bay at Christian, 7 p.m.
26: Christian vs. Bishop’s, 7 p.m. (neutral site)
September
2: Christian at Scripps Ranch, 7 p.m.
8: Christian at Santa Fe Christian, 3:30 p.m.
15: Christian at Awaken Christian (Las Vegas), 7 p.m.
22: Valhalla at Christian, 7 p.m.
29: Point Loma at Christian, 7 p.m.
October
6: Christian at Morse, 7 p.m.
20: Christian at Mira Mesa, 7 p.m.
28: La Jolla at Christian, 7 p.m.
