The San Diego Section football playoffs are set to kick off Friday with six Metro Conference teams in tow, a bit lower than in previous seasons.
The six qualifiers include Mater Dei Catholic (eighth seed) in Division I, Eastlake (11th seed) in Division II, Chula Vista (second seed) in Division IV, Bonita Vista (sixth seed) in Division IV, Olympian (seventh seed) in Division IV and Sweetwater (second seed) in Division V.
The four Open Division qualifiers include No. 1 Lincoln (10-0), No. 2 Carlsbad (10-0), No. 3 Granite Hills (10-0) and No. 4 Helix Charter (9-1). Lincoln will host Helix on Friday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. while Carlsbad will host Granite Hills the previous night (Thursday, Nov. 9) at 7 p.m.
The Open Division championship game is slated Saturday, Nov. 18, at Snapdragon Stadium.
Chula Vista is the only South County team that has a bye in the opening round. All five other local teams kick off single-elimination play this Friday.
Locals only
Metro-Mesa League champion Mater Dei Catholic will represent the region in the 12-team Division I playoff field. The Crusaders (6-3) enter the postseason riding a six-game winning streak.
As coach John Joyner’s team has faced all season, his team will face a challenge, not only in its first game but in a potential second game. Mater Dei Catholic will host ninth-seeded Madison (4-6) in Friday’s opening round (7 p.m. kickoff). The winner will promptly face top-seeded Torrey Pines (7-3) in the quarterfinals on Nov. 10.
The Crusaders tuned up for the playoffs with a 42-14 win at Otay Ranch on Oct. 26 while Madison (4-6) wrapped up City Western League play with a 33-0 rout of University City (1-9) last Friday.
Junior Kartell Purvis passed for 178 yards and three touchdowns to lead Mater Dei Catholic past Otay Ranch (2-8) in the team’s regular season finale, which proved to be the final game of the season for the host Mustangs.
Senior Anthony McMillian Jr. (75 yards on 11 carries) scored two touchdowns while sophomore Larell Parker (four catches, 85 yards) and seniors Josiah Jefferson (two catches, 60 yards) and Zack Dare (one catch, five yards) each caught scoring passes.
Senior Shawn Pomatto passed for 138 yards and two touchdowns for Otay Ranch, which finished 0-3 in league play.
Madison finished 1-3 in league with losses to Lincoln (30-0), Cathedral Catholic (41-14) and St. Augustine (34-14).
Mater Dei Catholic (3-0 in league) paired up against Lincoln (54-19 loss), Cathedral Catholic (55-14 loss) and St. Augustine (23-14 win) in common games.
The Warhawks racked up 370 total yards in last Friday’s shutout win over the Centurions, including 144 by junior Ryley Parenteau (30 rushing, 114 passing) and 132 by junior Zagar Aiken (30 rushing, 26 passing, 76 receiving).
Battle for the Boot
Eastlake (2-1 in Mesa League, 4-6 overall) defeated Bonita Vista (1-2 in Mesa League, 6-3 overall) by a score of 30-17 last Friday at Southwestern College to claim the schools’ rivalry trophy. The score was close, 16-10, through three quarters.
Juniors Kingston Schaaf (seven carries, 76 yards, two touchdowns) and William Schmitz (16 carries, 135 yards, one touchdown) combined for 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a deadly one-two punch to buttress visiting Eastlake while sophomore quarterback Tyler Balko passed for 101 yards and one touchdown to sophomore Rasharee “Rocket” Demery Jr. (three catches, 72 yards).
Schmitz broke away for a 51-yard touchdown run to ignite scoring in the game. The Titans led, 16-0, before the Barons could get on the scoreboard.
Senior Marco Gonzalez rounded out scoring for the winners with three successful extra-point conversions and a 42-yard field goal. Senior Black Schweer keyed the Titan defense with 13 tackles while seniors Luke Schwenke and Austin Michael both had 11 tackles.
Senior Caden Ada-Tannehill took the spotlight behind center for Bonita Vista, passing for 65 yards and one touchdown while rushing 18 times for 76 yards and one touchdown. Senior Julian Rarmiez (two catches, 21 yards) caught a TD pass while senior Julian Cota had a 44-yard reception for the highlight reel.
The Titans out-gained the host Barons 337-217 in total yards: 236-152 in the rushing department.
Eastlake received the No. 11 seed in the Division II playoffs and will play at sixth-seeded Central Union (8-2) on Friday while Bonita Vista earned the No. 6 seed in the Division IV playoffs and will host 11th-seeded Coronado (3-7) on Friday.
Pigskin previews
Newly crowned Metro-South Bay League champion Olympian (6-4) will host 10th-seeded Escondido Charter (4-6) in a Division IV first-round game on Friday after finishing up regular season play with a 22-13 win at Montgomery on the strength of two touchdowns by senior Ceejay Clavier (five carries, 14 yards) and another rushing score by senior Coby Dunn (16 carries, 86 yards).
“We are very excited to be hosting Escondido Charter on Friday night,” Olympian coach Brad Carter said. “They are a well-coached team that will have already started preparing for the game.
“Offensively, we have to put together a complete game both passing and rushing the ball. We need to take what the defense gives us and control the ball.
“Defensively we have to prevent the big plays. The last two weeks we have given up multiple 40-plus yard TDs, which is not up to our standard on that side of the ball.
“On special teams, we have to get much better in our coverage units. We are very excited to be playing. Soar Eagles.”
With the loss, the host Aztecs finished 1-2 in league, in third place in the league standings.
Montgomery out-gained Olympian 270-269 in total yards. Sophomore quarterback Andie Deanda passed for 193 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Juniors Zantez Thomas (two catches, 80 yards) and Jayden Cannon (three catches, 67 yards) each had touchdown receptions.
Deanda collected 253 total yards by adding 60 rushing yards. Senior Aerek Brown had one interception for 16 yards.
Defensively, the Eagles recorded two sacks — one by junior Aiden Flores and a half-sack shared each by seniors Tristan Anderson and Matthew Latimer. Junior Josue Vargas had one interception for 20 yards while senior Andre Valenciano also had one pick.
Red hots
Sweetwater (4-6, 2-1 in Metro-South Bay League) will host seventh-seeded Southwest El Centro (2-8) n a Division V quarterfinal on Friday.
“It’s a brand new season for everyone,” said SuHi head coach Ervin Hernandez, whose team scored a clutch comeback 28-26 win at Hilltop last Friday. “Our kids are excited and it’s something we have prepped and planned for since the beginning of the season. Even though we did not accomplish all our goals, everyone is bought into what we are trying to achieve this November.”
Junior quarterback Zaryan Crews completed his only pass of the game when it counted — a 35-yards strike to brother Xzavier Crews with one second to play to account for the game-winning touchdown.
The visiting Red Devils rushed for 491 yards, including 186 by senior Izell Wright (20 carries), senior Carlos Delgago (12 carries), 121 yards by Zaryan Crews (17 carries) and 61 yards by Xzavier Crews (13 carries).
By contrast, Hilltop gained only 32 rushing yards (19 on three carries by senior Jose Cabrera) while passing for 110 yards (94 by senior Nick Moore with one touchdown). Cabrera scored one rushing touchdown while junior Juan Matuz (three carries, eight yards) also had one rushing score. Senior Rio Nava had a 59-yard touchdown catch while senior Isaac Meza had two catches for 39 yards.
Sweetwater out-gained Hilltop 526-142 in total yards in pulling out the last-second victory.
Star power
Two-time defending Metro-Pacific League champion Chula Vista (8-2, 4-0 in league) will host either Olympian or Escondido Charter in the quarterfinals.
“We are excited to get a bye week to get healthy and prep for the winner,” said CVHS head coach Howard Bannister III, whose team ended regular season play with a 34-0 win over visiting San Ysidro as junior La’Darrione Perkins (four carries, 98 yards) scored two touchdowns. “The boys have worked hard this year and deserve credit. However, we must stay focused. Everyone is 0-0 in the playoffs. We must continue with our intensity and preparation for whomever we play.”
Senior Paul Alvarez had six carries for 116 yards and one touchdown while junior Izaac Baca passed for 151 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for one score. Baca scored on a 25-yard scramble while Alvarez’s longest rush in the game measured 46 yards.
Perkins scored one of his touchdowns on a 51-yard run.
Senior Jacob Davidson had three catches for 89 yards, including a 43-yard reception, and one touchdown.
The Spartans recorded two sacks (one each by Alvarez and sophomore Justin Yniesta) and one interception by senior Jordan Garmon and two fumble recoveries.
Chula Vista out-gained San Yisdro 419-171. Senior Omar Vargas led the Cougars with 79 total yards — 66 rushing yards and 13 receiving yards.
Extra points
Hilltop (3-7), Otay Ranch (2-8), Montgomery (4-6) and Castle Park (5-5) all failed to make the playoff cut following losses to end regular season play. Mar Vista (3-7), Southwest (5-5) and San Ysidro (1-9) also did not make the playoffs.
METRO CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Metro-Mesa League
League/Overall
Mater Dei Catholic 3-0, 6-3
Eastlake 2-1, 4-6
Bonita Vista 1-2, 6-3
Otay Ranch 0-3, 2-8
Metro-South Bay League
League/Overall
Olympian 3-0, 6-4
Sweetwater 2-1, 4-6
Montgomery 2-1, 4-6
Hilltop 0-3, 3-7
Metro-Pacific League
League/Overall
Chula Vista 8-2, 4-0
Castle Park 3-1, 5-5
Mar Vista 2-2, 3-7
Southwest 1-3, 5-5
San Ysidro 0-4, 1-9
SAN DIEGO SECTION PLAYOFFS
Open Division
Semifinals
Thursday, Nov. 9
(3) Granite Hills (10-0) at (2) Carlsbad (10-0), 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10
(4) Helix Charter (9-1) at (1) Lincoln (10-0), 6 p.m.
Division I
First round, all games 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
(9) Madison at (8) Mater Dei Catholic
(12) Mira Mesa at (5) St. Augustine
(11) Ramona at (6) Cathedral Catholic
(10) Poway at (7) San Marcos
Byes: (1) Torrey Pines, (2) Mission Hills, (3) El Camino, (4) La Costa Canyon
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 10, all games 7 p.m.
Madison-Mater Dei Catholic winner at (1) Torrey Pines
St. Augustine-Mira Mesa winner at (4) La Costa Canyon
Cathedral Catholic-Ramona winner at (3) El Camino
Poway-San Marcos winner at (2) Mission Hills
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 17, all games 7 p.m.
Teams TBA at higher seed
Championship game
Friday, Nov. 24
Teams TBA, 7 p.m. at Southwestern College
Division II
First round, all games 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
(9) Steele Canyon at (8) Oceanside
(12) San Pasqual at (5) Point Loma
(11) Eastlake at (6) Central Union
(10) Brawley at (7) Bishop’s
Byes: (1) Del Norte, (2) Rancho Bernardo, (3) La Jolla, (4) Scripps Ranch
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 10, all games 7 p.m.
Steele Canyon-Oceanside winner at (1) Del Norte
Point Loma-San Pasqual winner at (4) Scripps Ranch
Eastlake-Central Union winner at (3) La Jolla
Brawley-Bishop’s winner at (2) Rancho Bernardo
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 17, all games 7 p.m.
Teams TBA at higher seed
Championship game
Saturday, Nov. 25
Teams TBA, 7 p.m. at Southwestern College
Division III
First round, all games 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
(9) El Capitan at (8) Patrick Henry
(12) San Diego at (5) Santa Fe Christian
(11) Morse at (6) La Jolla Country Day
(10) Valley Center at (7) Imperial
Byes: (1) Mission Bay, (2) Fallbrook, (3) West Hills, (4) Grossmont
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 10, all games 7 p.m.
El Capitan-Patrick Henry winner at (1) Mission Bay
Santa Fe Christian-San Diego winner at (4) Grossmont
Morse-La Jolla Country Day winner at (3) West Hills
Imperial-Valley Center winner at (2) Rancho Bernardo
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 17, all games 7 p.m.
Teams TBA at higher seed
Championship game
Saturday, Nov. 25
Teams TBA, 2 p.m. at Southwestern College
Division IV
First round, all games 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
(9) Escondido at (8) Calexico
(12) Orange Glen at (5) Crawford
(11) Coronado at (6) Bonita Vista
(10) Escondido Charter at (7) Olympian
Byes: (1) Mt. Miguel, (2) Chula Vista, (3) Westview, (4) Santana
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 10, all games 7 p.m.
Calexico-Escondido winner at (1) Mt. Miguel
Crawford-Orange Glen winner at (4) Santana
Bonita Vista-Coronado winner at (3) Westview
Olympian-Escondido Charter winner at (2) Chula Vista
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 17, all games 7 p.m.
Teams TBA at higher seed
Championship game
Friday, Nov. 24
Teams TBA, 2 p.m. at Southwestern College
Division V
Quarterfinals, all games 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
(8) Valhalla at (1) Vincent Memorial Catholic
(5) Monte Vista at (4) Hoover
(6) Kearny at (3) El Cajon Valley
(7) Southwest El Centro at (2) Sweetwater
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 10, all games 7 p.m.
Vincent Memorial Catholic-Valhalla winner vs. Monte Vista-Hoover winner
El Cajon Valley-Kearny winner vs. Sweetwater-Southwest El Centro winner
Championship game
Friday, Nov. 17
Teams TBA, 7:30 p.m. at Escondido High School
Division V-AA
Quarterfinals, all games 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
(5) Maranatha Christian at (4) Rock Academy
(6) Calipatria at (3) Tri-City Christian
Byes: (1) Holtville, (2) Army-Navy Academy
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 10, all games 7 p.m.
Rock Acadey-Maranatha Christian winner at (1) Holtville
Calipatria-Tri-City Christian winner at (2) Army-Navy Academy
Championship game
Saturday, Nov. 18
Teams TBA, 1 p.m. at Escondido High School
Division VI (Eight-person)
Quarterfinals
Thursday, Nov. 2
(6) San Diego Jewish Academy at (3) Calvin Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
(5) San Psqual Academy at (4) Coastal Academy, 7 p.m.
Byes: (1) Foothills Christian, (2) St. Joseph Academy
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 10, all games 7 p.m.
San Pasqual Academy-Coastal Academy winner at (1) Foothills Christian
calvin Christian- SD Jewish Academy winner at (2) St. Joseph Academy
Championship game
Friday, Nov. 17
Teams TBA, 4:30 p.m. at Escondido High School
