The Eastlake High School football team recorded an emotional 46-31 victory at El Camino High School last Friday, though the outcome of the game might cost both teams down the line.
Officials called the non-league contest with 1:57 remaining when an altercation broke out on the field between the teams after Eastlake recovered an onside kick attempt by the Wildcats.
As players were milling on the field, an El Camino player ran onto the field and knocked a Titan to the ground from behind. Video captured the unsavory incident in full detail.
Pushing and shoving ensued while other players attempted to play the role of peacemaker.
Action was swift in coming from San Diego Section officials.
“The incident that happened at the end of the game is being looked at and dealt with by CIF and the officials association,” Eastlake head coach John McFadden explained. “I am proud of my team and the way they handled a very tough situation.”
San Diego Section Commissioner Jerry Schniepp indicated multiple players and staff from both schools face suspensions following the incident. Suspensions could range from one to three games, though the names of the individuals involved and length of suspensions were not made public.
The game was a rematch of last year’s Division I section championship game, which El Camino won 20-10.
The Wildcats scored the only points of the first quarter on a field goal before Eastlake stormed into the lead with 25 second-quarter points.
The Titans led 25-13 at halftime and continued to expand their lead to 39-23 entering the final quarter.
Eastlake, which improved to 5-1 with its fifth consecutive win, employed a grind-it-out ground game that totaled 305 rushing yards. Parker Merrifield rushed 17 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns while Roman Coe carried the ball 10 times for 102 yards and scored one touchdown.
The Titans scored four rushing touchdowns in the game while quarterback Richard Colmenero III tacked on 109 passing yards.
Adrian Hinojosa rushed twice for nine yards in the game with one touchdown.
El Camino (1-4) pulled off a pair of big plays to stay in the game. Quarterback Brock Manber scored on a 66-yard run while connecting with teammate Alexander Fetko on a 44-yard scoring pass.
The Titans took control of the game with successive interception returns for touchdowns by Maximus Susi (23 yards) and Quinton Johnson (47 yards).
Eastlake led 46-23 prior to El Camino’s final touchdown in the game and the ensuing onside kick attempt.
Josh McCurty led the Titans’ defensive effort with a monstrous 24 tackles, including 16 solo stops.
“It was a very tough, physical game,” McFadden said. “They have some real talent. Parker Merrifield, Roman Coe, Joshua McCurty and the offensive line controlled the game.”
Kevin Bateman had three catches for 46 yards. Overall, the visitors racked up 414 yards in total offense. Seven players contributed to the scoring column — Merrifield with two touchdowns, Coe, Johnson, Susi and Hinojosa with one touchdown each, Darius De Los Reyes with one two-point conversion and D.J. Del Fuerro with eight kicking points.
The Titans have a bye this week before kicking off Metro-Mesa League play Oct. 5 at Mater Dei Catholic.
In other non-league games last Friday:
Otay Ranch 37, Valhalla 0
Noah Isley (eight carries, 37 yards) scored two touchdowns and quarterback Puka Stewart (11-of-17, 232 yards) passed for two scores to lift the host Mustangs (3-3) past the winless Norsemen (0-5).
Adrian Delacruz (two catches, 60 yards) and Dylan Baca (two catches, 45 yards) each caught touchdown passes. Marwan Phillips led Otay Ranch with 132 all-purpose yards, including a 79-yard kick return for a touchdown.
Nine Mustangs got a chance to carry the ball while six different receivers caught passes as the hosts piled up 258 passing yards and 111 rushing yards. Phillips had three catches for 60 yards in the game while Rayne Llaneta caught two passes for 55 yards.
The Mustangs recorded two sacks, one forced fumble, seven pass deflections and five tackles for a loss on the defensive side of the football. Vita Hafoka, Dylan Zolezzi and Jacob Sandoval led the hosts with six tackles each. Zolezzi and Xzavier Abasolo each had two tackles for a loss. Owen Oswald also caused one fumble.
Otay Ranch led 14-0 after the first quarter and 30-0 at halftime.
Mar Vista 27, Santana 13
Jacob Galeana rushed 11 times for 124 yards and scored three touchdowns while making an interception on defense to lead the Mariners (4-2) to a key Division IV victory at Santana (4-2). Hasan Spruill led Mar Vista on the ground with 185 yards on 15 carries while scoring once on a 90-yard run. The Mariners rolled up 389 rushing yards in the win.
Mar Vista recorded six sacks, six tackles for a loss and one interception overall on defense. Spruill contributed 11 tackles while Damon Thomas logged 10 stops. Demetrius Smith had two sacks and three tackles for a loss. Pablo Malave had two sacks while Thomas and Zackery Duhala each had one sack.
The Mariners overcame an early 10-0 deficit by out-scoring the hosts 27-3 over the final three quarters. Mar Vista took a 20-13 lead into the final quarter after scoring one touchdown in the second quarter and tacked on 13 points in the third quarter.
Colton Snipes kicked two field goals for Santana, which entered the game ranked third among Division IV teams — one spot higher than the Mariners.
Southwest 34, Clairemont 6
Daniel Belton rushed for 117 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the Raiders (3-2) to the road victory. Aaron Hildago passed for 171 yards, throwing a touchdown strike to Jose Chavez (two catches, 103 yards).
Chavez led Southwest with 163 all-purpose yards (57 rushing, 103 receiving, 3 on punt returns). The Raiders amassed 377 yards in total offense, including 206 rushing and 171 passing.
Defensively, the Raiders recorded a sack by Sebastian Hoyo, an interception by Josh McAtee and two fumble recoveries by Joel Salazar.
For the season, Belton has rushed for 513 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Southwest hosts Mar Vista in the teams’ annual Battle for the Bell rivalry game on Oct. 5.
Crawford 27, Castle Park 21 (OT)
The visiting Trojans (2-4) saw a 21-7 halftime lead disappear in the overtime loss to the Colts (3-2). Crawford rallied with 14 points late in the game, then scored the only touchdown in the overtime tie-breaker.
Diego Martinez paced Castle Park with 275 passing yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once in the game to finish with an overall 125.5 quarterback rating in the game. Christian Bustos had five catches for 115 yards, including two touchdown receptions, while Erik Hernandez caught six passes for 60 yards, including one touchdown.
The Trojans added 137 rushing yards. Tyrone Lake led his team on the ground with 15 carries for 72 yards. Bustos finished the game with 150 all-purpose yards, including 35 yards on an interception return.
Defensively, Castle Park recorded three sacks — one each by Quinn Sheffield, Isaiah Morineau and Robert Soldenski — and two picks (one each by Bustos and Joel Torres).
The Trojans out-gained the hosts 412-172 in total yards. Crawford quarterback Kevin Luong completed seven of 14 passing attempts for 49 yards with two interceptions for an 18.8 quarterback rating The Colts tallied 123 rushing yards, with touchdowns by Marlow Jenkins and Luong (17 carries, 45 yards).
Miguel Estrella had the big night with 201 all-purpose yards, including 138 yards on kick returns, including a 95-yarder for a score. Angel Lopez also scored on a 60-yard interception return.
The game marked Castle Park’s second game since returning to field action following two forfeit losses following the inability to field enough players to safely compete in a game. The loss was thus disappointing in not being able to compile back-to-back wins.
Touchdowns by Jenkins and Lopez tied the game, 22-21, to set up the overtime possession. Luong scored on a one-yard sneak to put his team on the scoreboard. Martinez advanced the ball to the one-yard line on a pass completion during the Trojans’ possession.
However, Crawford came away with the win when the ensuing snap from center was fumbled.
Morse 49, Chula Vista 14
The Spartans (2-4) absorbed their fourth consecutive loss in bowing to the Tigers (3-2). Morse took an early 16-0 lead before Chula Vista rallied with a pair of touchdowns to make it a two-point game at halftime at 16-14. However, the Tigers did all the scoring in the second half by amassing 33 points.
The Spartans’ offense was minimal in the game with 92 total yards, including 50 passing yards and 42 rushing yards. Joe Pacheco (three carries, 13 yards) and Carlos Serratos (seven carries, negative 12 yards) each scored touchdowns for the visitors. Jerry Hernandez led Chula Vista with 15 carries for 30 yards.
Defensively, Morse recorded four sacks, one interception (which was returned for a touchdown) and one fumble recovery.
Cathedral Catholic 36, Olympian 6
The Eagles fell to 1-5 on the season following the non-league loss to the host Dons (4-1). Cathedral Catholic scored 19 points in the first quarter and led 33-0 at halftime.
Shawn Poma collected 142 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the Dons while Kalehn Newson totaled 133 yards and scored Olympian’s lone touchdown on a 40-yard run. Newson racked up 113 yards in the first half of the game.
Oceanside 56, Mater Dei Catholic 0
The Crusaders (2-4) were shut out for the second time this season while allowing the most points in a game this season.
The Pirates (2-3) broke the game open in the opening stages when Trejan Apodaca scored on successive interception returns of 33 and 28 yards. Oceanside quarterback Kyrin Beachem passed for 166 yards and scored on a touchdown run in the first half.
Great eight: Francis Parker Lancers first team to post 6-0 mark in SD Section
There are eight undefeated 11-man football teams in the San Diego Section through six weeks of girdiron action. They include La Costa Canyon (5-0) and Torrey Pines (5-0) among Division I schools, Granite Hills (5-0) and Lincoln (5-0) in Division II, Christian (5-0) and Central Union (5-0) in Division III, Kearny (5-0) in Division IV and Francis Parker (6-0) in Division V.
Parker is the first team in the section to reach the six-win mark after defeating the visiting San Ysidro Cougars, 42-7, last Friday.
Parker senior Ryan Sanborn passed for 162 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 39 yards and one score to finish the game with a 151.3 quarterback rating.
Senior Jonathan Gordon (three catches, 95 yards) caught two touchdown passes while juniors Trevor Brokowski (two catches, 28 yards) and freshman Camden McCormick (two catches, 23 yards) each had one touchdown reception.
The Lancers led 21-0 after the first quarter and 35-7 at halftime. Parker rolled up 357 total yards in posting the win. Junior Sam Camposeco rushed 10 times for 92 yards and scored one touchdown to lead the ground assault for the hosts.
On the season, Sanborn has thrown for 934 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions to post a 136.0 QB rating.
San Ysidro (0-5) recorded 264 yards in total offense, including 252 rushing yards. Junior Josue Juarez led all ground-gainers in the game with 132 yards on 24 carries while sophomore Marco Velazquez (three carries, 140 yards score the lone touchdown for the Cougars. Senior Nestor Amaya, who was 0-for-2 passing, rushed seven times for 51 yards while senior signal-caller Marcus Bowman had nine carries for 47 yards to go with an additional 12 passing yards.
Prep Football Scoreboard
Friday, Sept. 21
Non-League
Bonita Vista 29, Hilltop 23
Eastlake 46, El Camino 31
Otay Ranch 37, Valhalla 0
Mar Vista 27, Santana 13
Southwest 34, Clairemont 6
Crawford 27, Castle Park 21 (OT)
Morse 49, Chula Vista 14
Cathedral Catholic 36, Olympian 6
Oceanside 56, Mater Dei Catholic 0
Francis Parker 42, San Ysidro 7
Friday, Sept. 28
Metro-Mesa League
Mater Dei Catholic vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
Otay Ranch at Olympian, 7 p.m.
Non-League
Hilltop at Mountain Empire, 6:30 p.m.
San Ysidro at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
Vincent Memorial at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
Monte Vista at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.
Southwest at Holtville, 7 p.m.
Eight-Man
Friday, Sept. 21
Victory Christian Academy 44, Ocean View Christian Academy 0
Friday, Sept. 28
Victory Christian Academy at Borrego Springs, 7 p.m.
Calvary Christian Academy at Foothills Christian (Junior Seau Field), 7 p.m.
MaxPrep/Top 10 Rankings
Division I: 1. La Costa Canyon (5-0), 2. Cathedral Catholic (4-1), 3. Torrey Pines (5-0), 4. Helix (2-3), 5. Eastlake (5-1), 6. St. Augustine (4-1), 7. Mission Hills (2-3), 8. Madison (4-1), 9. Carlsbad (3-2), 10. Steele Canyon (4-1). Others: 14. Otay Ranch (3-3)
Division II: 1. Vista (4-1), 2. Point Loma (3-2), 3. Granite Hills (5-0), 4. Ramona (3-2), 5. Lincoln (5-0), 6. Poway (4-2), 7. Valley Center (3-2), 8. Mira Mesa (4-1), 9. San Pasqual (3-2), 10. Bishop’s (2-3). Others: 11. Olympian (1-5), 12. Bonita Vista (2-4), 13. Mater Dei Catholic (2-4)
Division III: 1. Christian (5-0), 2. Monte Vista (4-1), 3, Central Union (5-0), 4. Brawley (4-1), 5. Santa Fe Christian (3-2), 6. Morse (3-2), 7. University City (4-1), 8. El Capitan (2-3), 9. Imperial (3-2), 10. West Hills (4-1). Others: Hilltop (1-5)
Division IV: 1. Kearny (5-0), 2. San Diego (2-2), 3. Mar Vista (4-2), 4. Del Norte (4-2), 5. Santana (4-2), 6. Serra (2-3), 7. Chula Vista (2-4), 8. Classical Academy (4-1), 9. Coronado (4-1), 10. Calexico (3-2). Others: 12. Sweetwater (1-4), 14. Montgomery (2-3)
Division V: 1. Francis Parker (6-0), 2. Vincent Memorial (4-1), 3. Holtville (4-1), 4. Tri-City Christian (4-1), 5. Palo Verde Valley (3-2), 6. Orange Glen (4-1), 7. Maranatha Christian (3-3), 8. Mountain Empire (3-2), 9. Southwest (3-2), 10. Castle Park (2-4) Others: 15. San Ysiro (0-6)
Eight-man records: Calvary Christian Academy (4-0), Victory Christian Academy (2-2), Ocean View Christian Academy (0-4)
