The Montgomery Aztecs picked up a key victory in their quest to qualify for this year’s San Diego Section Division III playoffs after topping Division II foe Hilltop, 34-7, last Friday in a non-league match-up. The Aztecs, who improved to 4-2 on the season, scored 27 of their 34 points in the middle two quarters.
Montgomery led 20-7 at halftime.
Manny Quiambao and Diego Rodriguez each scored two rushing touchdowns to lead the Aztecs while Steven Shafer scored once through the air.
Montgomery’s passing game was minimal with just 20 yards, but its running game was potent as four ball-carriers combined for 390 yards on 35 carries. Rodriguez led the bunch with 22 carries for 297 yards to bull past the 1,000-yard mark with four games remaining in regular season play. He scored on runs of 25 and 41 yards.
Quarterback Jordan Lippman rushed eight times for 60 yards and threw a nine-yard scoring pass to Shafer (who also had seven tackles on defense).
The Aztecs had four sacks in the game, including two by Ramon Parra and one each by Daniel Padilla and Joel Castro. Michael David also recovered a fumble while Armando Serna kicked four extra points.
For the season, Rodriguez has rushed for 1,211 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns, including 13 rushing TDs.
Hilltop (3-3) scored on a 30-yard pass from Omar Hernandez to Mark McGuire.
Montgomery coach Julio Alcala was obviously pleased by his team’s effort.
“After playing who, in my opinion is the No. 1 team in San Diego County in Eastlake, and scoring some points on them, my kids realized they can play with anybody,” the Aztec sideline boss said. “The practice the whole week after Eastlake was upbeat. It gave us a lot of confidence.
“After seeing the schedule at the beginning of the season, I was a bit worried, but I was pleasantly pleased by our effort. Hilltop played us hard. They didn’t give up. Our running game was just on that night and I think that carried us past them.”
In the loss to Eastlake on Oct. 8, Rodriguez and Lippman both scored two rushing touchdowns.
The Titans led 42-7 at halftime.
In games this Friday, Hilltop hosts Olympian, now riding a four-game winning streak, while Montgomery plays at San Ysidro (1-5).
Perfect ending
Zack Balich scored on a pair of one-yard runs, Jesse Johnson caught a 60-yard scoring pass from Andres Perez and Josh Smith bowled in from 15 yards to lead the Ocean View Christian Academy Patriots to a 29-3 non-league victory against the Julian Eagles last Friday. Ocean View improves to 6-0 on the season.
The Patriots are one of just two teams in the Division V enrollment level to remain unbeaten in 2010. The Bishop’s Knights topped Santa Fe Christian, 31-10, also to improve to 6-0.
Prep Football Scoreboard
Friday, Oct. 15
Mesa League
•Eastlake 40, Otay Ranch 27
•Bonita Vista 41, Mater Dei 7
Southern League
Calvary Christian Academy 35, San Pasqual Academy 8
Non-League
Mar Vista 34, Castle Park 6
Montgomery 34, Hilltop 7
Olympian 52, San Ysidro 8
Sweetwater 41, Southwest 0
Ocean View Christian Academy 29, Julian 3
Friday, Oct. 22
Mesa League
Bonita Vista at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
Eastlake at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.
Southern League
CV Calvary Christian vs. Calvin Christian at Olympian High School, 7 p.m.
Non-League
Olympian at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
Mar Vista at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
Montgomery at San Ysidro, 7 p.m.
Southwest at St. Joseph Academy, 7 p.m.
