High school football teams kicked off official fall practices on July 31. College football teams got an earlier start prior to the start of the weekend.
All teams will be looking forward to the new season and a chance to make a name for themselves.
Mater Dei Catholic High School is coming off two consecutive state bowl game championships and, if everything falls into place again, could be vying for its third consecutive state CIF title.
The 2022-23 season was certainly one of the program’s most successful in school history despite getting off to an uncharacteristic 0-4 start while playing one of the San Diego Section’s toughest schedules.
When the final horn sounded, the Crusaders had chalked up Metro-Mesa League, Division I section, Southern California regional and state CIF 2-AA Division championships.
The challenge to returners on the team is to do it all again despite the loss to 23 players to graduation.
Mater Dei Catholic finished 11-4 last season (3-0 in league play) and carries an 11-game winning streak into its season opener at Cathedral Catholic on Aug. 18.
The Crusaders will play their opening two games on the road before hosting defending Open Division champion Lincoln in a high-profile non-league clash on Sept. 8
With only three league games, Mater Dei Catholic’s schedule is once again heavy on non-league opponents.
After opening against the Dons, the Crusaders play at Carlsbad, the section’s top-ranked team during the 2022 regular season (and Open Division runner-up), on Aug. 25. Another road game follows on Sept. 15 at Point Loma before hosting St. Augustine in another high-profile encounter on Sept. 22.
Mater Dei Catholic concludes October with four games against Metro Conference opponents: Oct. 6 against the visiting Montgomery Aztecs (defending Metro-South Bay League champions) in a seventh consecutive non-league game, followed by league match-ups Oct. 12 at Bonita Vista, home against Eastlake on Oct. 20 and Oct. 26 at Otay Ranch.
Eastlake finished 2-1 in league last season while Bonita Vista was 1-2 and Otay Ranch was 0-3. Eastlake finished 3-8 overall with a first-round appearance in the Division I playoffs while Bonita Vista and Otay Ranch both finished 3-7.
Otay Ranch advanced to the first round of the Division II playoffs while Bonita Vista did not qualify for postseason play.
This season could produce a noticeable turnaround in fortunes for the aforementioned three teams. Eastlake drops to the Division II tier while Otay Ranch drops to the Division III level and Bonita Vista drops to the Division IV level.
Mater Dei Catholic will once again carry the torch for the conference in the Division I tier.
Sparks could fly once again in the postseason, and not just for the Crusaders.
Bonita Vista hosts Chula Vista in a scrimmage Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m., before hosting Castle Park in a non-league game on Aug. 17 to officially kick off the new season.
College football fans can tune in to watch the fortunes of several Mater Dei Catholic alumni: receiver Surahz Buncom (Kansas), linebacker Tre Edwards (UCLA), receiver Jerry McClure (UCLA), quarterback Dominic Nankil (University of San Diego), receiver Chris Snyder (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), receiver Joshua Meredith (Washington State), cornerback Darren Barkins (University of Washington) and safety Brian Dukes (Cal Poly).
Pigskin pride
Montgomery, 8-3 a year ago with an appearance in the Division IV quarterfinals, kicks off its season with a non-league game at Coronado on Aug. 18 before hosting Escondido Charter in a non-league game on Aug. 25. Then it’s off to Mt. Miguel for an Aug. 31 game before hosting El Cajon Valley on Sept. 8. The Aztecs play at Canyon Hills on Sept. 22 before drawing their toughest assignment of the season at Mater Dei Catholic on Oct. 6.
League play kicks off Oct. 12 with a game at Sweetwater, followed by home games Oct. 20 against Hilltop and Oct. 27 against Olympian.
“We’ve got a half-half split of returners and new kids,” MOH coach Freddy Dunkle said. “We have a lot of sophomore and freshmen to sprinkle with the seniors we have.
“Our goal is always to win a league championship. That’s what we’re definitely playing for — to get it and then try for a CIF championship. We’ll see where the cards fall.”
Hilltop hosts Christian in a scrimmage this Friday, starting at 6 p.m., before kicking off its season at Valhalla on Aug. 18.
Olympian hosts Westview on Aug. 17 while Sweetwater hosts Mt. Miguel on Aug. 18.
Chula Vista defeated Castle Park to win last year’s Metro-Pacific League championship and the two teams look to be favorites once again in the five-team league. Potential spoilers include Mar Vista, San Ysidro and Southwest. Each team will play four league games, and every one of them will be important.
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 while Chula Vista hosts La Jolla Country Day on Aug. 18.
Games are once again being played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this season throughout the section.
Girls flag football makes its debut as a section sport this fall. First games are scheduled Aug. 12 with final regular season games scheduled Oct. 31 prior to playoff competition.
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.
