The Boot Trophy stays with the Eastlake Titans following last Friday’s 33-7 Mesa League victory against the visiting Bonita Vista Barons.
It marks the fifth consecutive year the Titans have retained possession of the schools’ neighborhood rivalry trophy.
The last time Bonita Vista won the oversize bronzed boot was in 2016 after winning it the previous year as well.
Eastlake had reeled off ninth consecutive wins in the series prior to that.
The teams battled to a 10-10 tie in 2004; the Barons won 10-6 in 2005.
The rivalry series dates to the 1990s.
Eastlake has won 14 of the last 18 games in the series.
The 2021 season is ticking down for both teams. Eastlake appears prepping for the upcoming San Diego Section playoffs and needs a win in Friday’s regular season finale against Otay Ranch to solidify a home game in the opening round of the Division I playoffs.
The Titans sit No. 12 in this week’s division power rankings. But a loss to Otay Ranch could send them tumbling down the rankings and into a first-round road matchup.
Bonita Vista needs a win in Friday’s final league contest against visiting Hilltop to have any chance to qualify for the Division III playoffs.
Otay Ranch (2-1 in league, 3-4 overall) desperately needs to top Eastlake on Friday to earn enough prestige points to gain admission to the Division II playoffs.
Teams need to play nine games to earn enough power rankings points to qualify for postseason play. Teams that play less than nine games in this fall campaign affected with a spate of no-contests resulting from COVID-19 protocols, will have to receive strong recommendations from their league representatives when making a presentation to the section’s football advisory board.
A win and the Mustangs could be in; a loss and it gets complicated after that.
Otay Ranch head coach Lance Christensen conceded Friday’s game at Eastlake is a “very important game for us.”
“This is not only a league rivalry game but also important for both teams as we try to build momentum going into the playoffs in our respective divisions,” he said. “Eastlake is a talented and well coached team, so we know the game will be a battle and we are excited for the challenge.”
Otay Ranch is currently No. 6 in the Division II power rankings.
The Titans seem to be sitting in better company regardless of the outcome of Friday’s high-profile contest.
“It was a great win, getting back on track with (sophomore quarterback) Johnny Limon and the offensive unit.” Eastlake head coach Jose Mendoza said in regard to last Friday’s victory. “We look at our next game as equally important. It will always be a battle versus a good team and coaching staff in Otay Ranch.”
“Eastlake is a good football team and rated top 10 in the county for a reason,” Bonita Vista head coach Tyler Arciaga said. “They are talented and well coached. Our kids played hard and and continue to improve. We made some good plays that we can build on and look to finish strong against Hilltop this upcoming Friday.”
Limon, seemingly fully recovered from an early season injury, completed 21 of 28 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns and one interception to lead the EHS scoring parade in front of a festive homecoming crowd.
Senior Jordan Blondin caught eight passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns while senior Jaydin Jackson (four catches, 75 yards), senior Jordan Swan (three catches, 27 yards) and senior Isaiah Hinojosa (two catches, 21 yards) also caught scoring passes.
Bonita Vista out-rushed Eastlake 82-75 but the Titans out-distanced the Barons 264-109 in the passing department.
Junior Dante Scott (five catches, 97 yards) scored the Barons’ lone touchdown in the game.
The Titan defense registered five sacks — two by senior Marcos Gonzales — two interceptions (one each by senior Dasean Burdette and junior Tyler Bourke) and one fumble recovery (by junior Maxwell Cablayan).
Final conflict
Both Bonita Vista and Hilltop’s lone league win this season came against Olympian, which closed down its varsity program for the final two weeks of the season because of health protocols. Bonita Vista defeated the Eagles, 31-6, on Oct. 8 while Hilltop defeated Olympian, 24-7, on Oct. 15.
Both the Barons and Lancers are not looking past one another to the playoffs because a loss by either team would likely take away that option.
“We are treating this game like it’s a playoff game for us,” Hilltop coach Bryan Wagner said. “It is somewhat of a rivalry game, and possibly the last one of the season, so there will be a whole lot of motivation.
“We are not the same team from the beginning of the season. We have gotten better on both sides of the ball. Overall, I am very pleased with the way we been playing defense and we have been getting better every game.
“We are still building the program and we are concentrating on solidifying the offensive line.”
Battle for the Boot
Rivalry Series
2004: Bonita Vista 10, Eastlake 10
2005: Bonita Vista 10, Eastlake 6
2006: Eastlake 34, Bonita Vista 10
2007: Eastlake 27, Bonita Vista 16
2008: Eastlake 42, Bonita Vista 12
2009: Eastlake 28, Bonita Vista 0
2010: Eastlake 35, Bonita Vista 13
2011: Eastlake 49, Bonita Vista 23
2012: Eastlake 46, Bonita Vista 6
2013: Eastlake 27, Bonita Vista 0
2014: Eastlake 45, Bonita Vista 20
2015: Bonita Vista 28, Eastlake 23
2016: Bonita Vista 20, Eastlake 12
2017: Eastlake 55, Bonita Vista 0
2018: Eastlake 49, Bonita Vista 7
2019: Eastlake 20, Bonita Vista 0
2020: Eastlake 55, Bonita Vista 3
2021: Eastlake 33, Bonita Vista 7
Mater Dei Catholic tops Hilltop, 45-3, claims Metro-Mesa League title despite shortened season
Despite having its final regular season game cancelled when Olympian High School elected to forgo its final two games because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the team, the Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders have been declared 2021 Metro-Mesa League champions.
The Crusaders defeated visiting Hilltop, 45-3, last Friday to improve to 4-0 in league play, 8-0 overall.
Mater Dei Catholic has logged wins against all the Mesa League teams except Olympian, which it was scheduled to play Friday. The Eagles ended their season 0-3 in league play, 0-7 overall, at the bottom of the Division III power rankings.
The canceled game doesn’t seem to have affected the Crusaders’ otherwise exemplary standing in the section power rankings, holding down the No. 3 position entering this week. Mater Dei Catholic is one of just four remaining undefeated teams in the section.
The Crusaders will likely receive a bye in the opening round of the upcoming divisional playoffs.
“We are very excited about being league champs,” Mater Dei Catholic head coach John Joyner said. “It was our first goal we set in the offseason and the boys played fantastic football throughout a very difficult and balanced league.”
Joyner called the team’s win over Hilltop a “great team effort.”
Junior defensive back D.J. Overstreet had two interceptions, including one for a 70-yard touchdown. Junior quarterback Dom Nankil completed four touchdowns and senior defensive lineman Frank Zhou had two sacks.
The hosts led 38-3 at halftime.
The section playoffs kick off Nov. 5, though the top four teams in Division I through Division V will receive first-round byes. Teams with first-round byes will advance to the quarterfinal round on Nov. 12 along with the four first-round winners.
The semifinals are scheduled Nov. 19 and championship weekend is slated Nov. 26-27 at Escondido High School.
Hilltop (1-3 in league, 2-7 overall) received its points in the game on a 40-yard field goal by Sal Vidrios.
The Lancers will complete their regular season schedule with a game Friday against Bonita Vista (1-3, 3-5) at Southwestern College. Kick-off is 6:30 p.m.
Twelve teams will advance to the Division III playoffs.
Bonita Vista enters Friday’s game No. 13 in the divisional power rankings while Hilltop is No. 14. It’s conceivable that either team can move up to claim the division’s final playoff berth win a win in Friday’s regular season finale.
Mt. Carmel (8-1) currently sits No. 1 in the Division III power rankings, followed by No. 2 Santa Fe Christian (9-0). Ramona (6-3) is No. 4, followed by No. 5 West Hills (9-0), No. 6 Santana (6-2), No. 7 Brawley (7-2) and No. 8 El Capitan (8-1).
Other teams vying for playoff berths in the division include No. 9 Imperial (5-4), No. 10 Orange Glen (5-3), No. 11 Canyon Hills (1-7) and No. 12 Westview (2-7).
PERFECT ON THE PITCH
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
Non-League
Mater Dei Catholic 53, Brawley 21
Mater Dei Catholic 53, Westview 6
Mater Dei Catholic 56, La Jolla 0
Mater Dei Catholic 35, St. Augustine 0
Mesa League
Mater Dei Catholic 46, Bonita Vista 0
Mater Dei Catholic 41, Otay Ranch 7
Mater Dei Catholic 28, Eastlake 14
Mater Dei Catholic 45, Hilltop 3
Mater Dei Catholic Team Leaders
(Through six games)
Passing: Dominic Nankil 1,679 yards, 18 touchdowns, 1 interception
Rushing: Nico Mosley 633 yards, four touchdowns; Anthony McMillian 387 yards, six touchdowns
Receiving: Jerry McClure 544 yards, four touchdowns; Cruz Estrada 317 yards, three touchdowns; Rolling George 317 yards, two touchdowns
Scoring (TD): Anthony McMillian 6; Nico Mosley 5; Jerry McClure 4; Chris Snyder 4; Rollin George 4; Surahz Buncom 3; Cruz Estrada 3; Jaylen Hall 3
Tackles: Tre Edwards 47 (39 solo, 10 for a loss); Jason Harden 29 (20 solo, eight for a loss)
Sacks: Jason Harden 6; Tre Edwards 3; Josh Robinson 3
Metro-South Bay League: Spartans face must-win scenario against visiting Aztecs
The South Bay League football season comes to an end Friday with all three games carrying meaning.
The Sweetwater Red Devils will be out to secure sole possession of the league title with a win at Castle Park while Chula Vista will host Montgomery in a game that seems vital to the Spartans’ playoff chances.
Ditto for San Ysidro at Mar Vista
Sweetwater and Mar Vista did not play last Friday because of COVID-19 protocols. The no-contest left the Red Devils (4-3 overall) with a 3-0 league record while Mar Vista (4-4 overall) is 1-2 in league.
Depending on the way the ball bounces on Friday, Sweetwater could be 4-0 or 3-1 in league while Chula Vista and Montgomery could be 4-1 or 3-2 in league.
It’s unclear who would win the league championship if Sweetwater finishes with one loss as do either Chula Vista or Montgomery.
But the Red Devils can take care of business with a win on Friday regardless of what the outcome of the Montgomery-Chula Vista game is.
Sweetwater, Montgomery, Chula Vista and Mar Vista are all vying for Division IV playoff berths.
Sweetwater is No. 5 in the current division power rankings while Montgomery is No. 8, Chula Vista is No. 12 and Mar Vista is No. 13.
Twelve of the 17 teams in the division qualify for postseason play.
San Ysidro is No. 10 in the Division V power rankings.
““We still have a chance to win league if we beat Castle Park on Friday,” Sweetwater coach Ervin Hernandez said.
The Red Devils power run attack is generating 278.9 yards per game with 24 rushing touchdowns (10 by senior Javier Sanchez).
Castle Park has been outscored 336-88 this season.
Montgomery enhanced its playoff possibilities with last Fridays’ 14-7 win at San Ysidro.
Senior Juan Estrada rushed for 94 yards and scored both touchdowns — one in each half — for the Aztecs.
Estrada also had seven tackles on defense
Montgomery out-gained San Ysidro 352-214 in total yards, including 180-151 rushing yards.
Senior Matthew Jaime (nine carries, 81 yards) scored the lone touchdown for the Cougars to bite into a 14-0 deficit. Jaime broke off one run for 70 yards.
Junior Gideon Baraka had one sack for the Aztecs, who also received a fumble recovery from junior Arath Leyva.
Senior Johan Gutierrez recovered one fumble for San Ysidro while senior Santiago Luna recorded two sacks. Senior Frankie Estrada also had a sack for the Cougars.
Seniors Sal Samano and Mckai Jackson paced the Cougars with 12 and 11 tackles, respectively. Jackson logged 10 unassisted stops.
San Ysidro coach Keith Aguon is looking at Friday’s game against Mar Vista as one with a playoff atmosphere attached to it.
“We definitely feel like this game will be a playoff type win or go home,” Aguon said. “I honestly haven’t looked at all the scenarios, but the focus is to get a win. We played them well last spring in a 35-6 win, but we know they (Mar Vista) have a new staff and they will be ready.
Against Montgomery I thought defensively we competed our butts off, but the same could be said for Montgomery‘s defense. In the end it came down to execution and Montgomery did a little better job than us.”
PREP FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Mesa League
League/Overall
Mater Dei Catholic 4-0, 8-0
Eastlake 3-1, 6-3
Otay Ranch 2-1, 3-4
Bonita Vista 1-3, 3-5
Hilltop 1-3, 2-7
Olympian 0-3, 0-7
Friday, Oct. 22
Eastlake 33, Bonita Vista 7
Mater Dei Catholic 45, Hilltop 3
Friday, Oct. 29
Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.
Hilltop vs. Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m. at Southwestern College
South Bay League
League/Overall
Sweetwater 3-0, 4-3
Montgomery 3-1, 5-3
Chula Vista 3-1, 4-3
Mar Vista 1-2, 4-4
San Ysidro 1-3, 4-4
Castle Park 0-4, 0-8
Friday, Oct. 22
Montgomery 14, San Ysidro 7
Friday, Oct. 29
Montgomery at Chula Vista, 6:30 p.m.
San Ysidro at Mar Vista, 6:30 p.m.
Sweetwater at Castle Park, 6:30 p.m.
