Last Friday’s annual Battle for the Boot rivalry game did not feature the oversized trophy or post-game handshakes but the contest did not lack excitement level, especially on the part of the host Eastlake Titans, who claimed a 55-3 non-league victory against the rebuilding Bonita Vista Barons.
Quarterback Cole McFarlane scored on an 11-yard run following a fumble recovery by teammate Wil Smith in the early moments of the game. There would be much more scoring to follow.
The Titans scored on a 90-yard kickoff return by Isaac Bueno and tacked on a 42-yard punt return for a touchdown by Jordan Swan to boost the energy level. On defense, Eastlake amassed four fumble recoveries, logged one sack and one interception and notched five quarterback hurries.
McFarlane, who took his share of snaps last season as a junior, rotated in the signal-caller position with freshman Johnny Limon in last Friday’s season opener for both teams. Limon had to impress new head coach Jose Mendoza with a pair of scoring passes to junior receiver Jordan Blondin.
Junior Estabond Moss scored on an eight-run run in the final minute of the first half and added a 34-yard scoring run two minutes into the second half. Robert Jimenez fell on a loose ball in the endzone on the final play of the game to complete the scoring.
The Titans led, 28-3, after the first quarter and 41-3 at halftime.
Julian Acosta accounted for the Barons’ lone points in the game on a 25-yard field goal.
Mendoza said he was especially pleased by his team’s showing on special teams. Eastlake could just have a “special” team by the end of the season in defense of its Metro-Mesa League championship.
The Titans open defense of their league title this Friday at Olympian. The Eagles, braced by six rushing touchdowns and inspired play by its offensive line, are coming off a 57-14 non-league win over the visiting Chula Vista Spartans last Friday.
Senior Tai Manalo scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass and three-yard run in the first quarter while adding a 90-yard kick-off return to propel Olympian in its season opener.
Meanwhile, Bonita Vista will be looking to bounce back this Friday in its Metro-South Bay League opener against fellow league newcomer Montgomery (last season’s Metro-Pacific League champion) at Hilltop High School.
Kick-off is 6:30 p.m.
“We had a lot of mistakes in our game which caused us a bunch of points,” first-year Bonita Vista head coach (and Barons alumnus) Tyler Arciaga said. “We turned the ball over three times inside our own 30-yard line and gave up two special teams touchdowns. The kids played hard and didn’t give up.
“My hope is that our players and coaches can use this as a learning experience and take those lessons into Montgomery. We have a clean slate going into league play this week, so I wanted to make that a point of emphasis to the team that we learn from our mistakes this game, then put it behind us and not look back.”
Mater Dei Catholic 39, Montgomery 0
Senior quarterback Trevor Appelman had three touchdown passes in last Friday’s game at Montgomery to lead the Crusaders to a 2-0 start.
Mater Dei Catholic wasted little time in taking control of the s contest as senior Darren Barkins returned the opening kickoff 85 yards. Barkins later caught a 26-yard scoring pass from Appelman, who also connected on scoring passes with sophomore Surahz Buncom (55 yards) and senior David Jazo (19 yards).
Mater Dei Catholic is scheduled to host Otay Ranch on Thursday in the Metro-Mesa League opener for both teams. Kick-off is 6:30 p.m.
Montgomery kicks off Metro-South Bay League play Friday against Bonita Vista at Hilltop High School. Kick-off is 6:30 p.m.
The Barons (0-1) are coming off a 55-3 non-league loss at Eastlake last Friday.
The Aztecs (1-1) collected 167 yards in total offense against the Crusaders, including 101 passing yards. Junior Ansel Flanagan completed 10 of 20 passing attempts for 74 yards with one interception.
Montgomery rushed 28 times for 66 yards, averaging 2.4 yards per rush against the Crusaders Senior Jaheem Williams led the hosts with 10 rushes for 60 yards and also had a 20-yard punt return. Senior Isiah King had two catches for 41 yards, including a 32-yard gain.
Mater Dei Catholic was not perfect. The Aztecs registered three sacks (one each by seniors Ben Larsen, Zach Pearson and Daniel Sandoval), five tackles for a loss and one fumble recovery (by Christian Venegas).
Otay Ranch 39, Hilltop 0
The Otay Ranch Mustangs got off on the right hoof, so to speak, after defeating host Hilltop, 39-0, last Friday in the non-league season opener for both teams. The Mustangs ran over Hilltop (0-1) with 452 total offensive yards, including 310 rushing yards.
Sophomore quarterback Brian Rudden completed nine of 12 passing attempts for 145 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for a 155.4 quarterback efficiency rating.
Senior running back Ethan Knight had 76 rushing yards with one rushing TD and 43 yards receiving with one receiving score. Senior running back Carl Addy notched 83 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown while senior receiver Joseph Firebaugh had four receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior running back D.J. Meno totaled 42 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving.
Aenior linebacker Aidan Arguilla had four tackles, eight assists and four quarterback hurries on defense.
Otay Ranch recorded four sacks, two picks and two fumble recoveries in the victory.
“I was very happy with how our kids played but was even happier that we were finally allowed to play,” Mustang head coach Lance Christensen said.
“Otay was a very solid team and I’m sure they’ll do good in their league,” new Hilltop head coach Bryan Wagner said.
The Lancers, after suffering a massive wave of graduation, have yet to score an offensive touchdown in either scrimmage or regular season play this season but will be looking to score more success in Friday’s Chula Vista Kiwanis Bowl matchup against the west side rival Chula Vista Spartans.
Kick-off is 6:30 p.m. at CVHS for the Metro-South Bay League opener for both teams.
The Spartans (0-2) are coming off a 57-14 non-league loss at Olympian last Friday.
“As for this week, we need to fix some things and make sure that we’re doing our assignments,” Wagner said. “With another week of practice, we will get better on both sides of the ball and be able to execute. We are looking forward to this week.”
Chula Vista kicked off its season March 19 with a 36-7 loss to longtime rival Sweetwater. The Spartans have now been out-scored 93-21 in two games.
The Spartans gained 162 yards in total offense against Olympian. The low point again was on the ground with just 12 rushing yards.
Senior quarterback Omar Perez completed 11 of 27 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns while throwing three interceptions.
Senior Nick Organ had three catches for 65 yards, including one touchdown, while senior Karlos Jimenez had four catches for 42 yards and one touchdown.
San Diego Section Rankings
Top 25 Teams
(Through March 29)
1. Cathedral Catholic (3-0)
2. Carlsbad (2-0)
3. Lincoln (2-0)
4. Mission Hills (2-0)
5. St. Augustine (2-1)
6. El Camino (1-1)
7. Mater Dei Catholic (2-0)
8. Torrey Pines (1-2)
9. La Jolla (2-0)
10. Helix (1-2)
11. Oceanside (0-2)
12. San Marcos (2-1)
13. Steele Canyon (1-2)
14. Bishop’s (2-0)
15. Scripps Ranch (0-1)
16. Eastlake (1-0)
17. Granite Hills (3-0)
18. Madison (1-1)
19. Serra (0-1)
20. Rancho Bernardo (2-0)
21. La Costa Canyon (1-2)
22. Vista (1-1)
23. Poway (2-0)
24. Otay Ranch (1-0)
25. Santa Fe Christian (3-0)
Division I Teams
1. Cathedral Catholic (3-0)
2. Carlsbad (2-0)
3. Lincoln (2-0)
4. Mission Hills (2-0)
5. St. Augustine (2-1)
6. El Camino (1-1)
7. Torrey Pines (1-2)
8. Helix (1-2)
9. Oceanside (0-2)
10. San Marcos (2-1)
11. Steele Canyon (1-2)
12. Eastlake (1-0)
13. Granite Hills (3-0)
14. Madison (1-1)
15. La Costa Canyon (1-2)
16. Grossmont (1-1)
Division II Teams
1. La Jolla (2-0)
2. Bishop’s (2-0)
3. Scripps Ranch (0-1)
4. Rancho Bernardo (2-0)
5. Vista (1-1)
6. Poway (2-0)
7. Otay Ranch (1-0)
8. Central Union (2-0)
9. Morse (0-1)
10. Valley Center (2-0)
11. San Diego (1-0)
12. Christian (1-1)
13. Olympian (1-0)
14. Point Loma (0-1)
15. San Pasqual (1-1)
16. Mira Mesa (0-2)
Division III Teams
1. Mater Dei Catholic (2-0)
2. Serra (0-1)
3. Santa Fe Christian (3-0)
4. Ramona (2-0)
5. Brawley (3-0)
6. Santana (2-0)
7. Monte Vista (2-0)
8. Escondido (1-1)
9. Westview (1-1)
10. Imperial (1-1)
11. Mt. Carmel (0-2)
12. Orange Glen (2-1)
13. Bonita Vista (0-1)
14. El Capitan (0-3)
15. Hilltop (0-1)
16. West Hills (0-2)
17. Kearny (0-1)
Division IV Teams
1. Montgomery (1-1)
2. Patrick Henry (1-1)
3. Mount Miguel (2-0)
4. Coronado (1-1)
5. Del Norte (0-2)
6. Sweetwater (2-0)
7. Francis Parker (1-2)
8. La Jolla Country Day (1-1)
9. Castle Park (1-1)
10. Valhalla (0-3)
11. Vincent Memorial (2-1)
12. Rancho Buena Vista (0-2)
13. University City (0-2)
14. Chula Vista (0-2)
15. Classical Academy (0-2)
16. Mar Vista (0-0)
17. Southwest El Centro (0-3)
Division V Teams
1. Tri-City Christian (1-1)
2. Holtville (1-2)
3. Mission Bay (0-0)
4. Crawford (2-0)
5. El Cajon Valley (0-2)
6. Calexico (1-1)
7. Clairemont (0-0)
8. Fallbrook (0-2)
9. Palo Verde Valley (0-1)
10. Foothills Christian (0-0)
11. Maranatha Christian (2-0)
12. San Ysidro (0-2)
13. Southwest (0-0)
14. Hoover (0-1)
15. Mountain Empire (0-3)
16. Calipatria (0-0)
17. Army-Navy Academy (1-0)
18. Escondido Charter (0-2)
19. O’Farrell Charter (0-0)
