Stunned by a wave of graduation and playing one of the most challenging schedules in the San Diego Section, the Bonita Vista High School football team entered last Friday’s non-league game against Castle Park at Southwestern College with an 0-5 record.
The Barons will not go winless this season after defeating the Trojans 54-8.
“It took us a while,” BVHS head coach Chris Thompson offered. “We’ve played a big schedule. We went toe-to-toe with Helix (ranked fifth among section teams) last week. We made some progress after the Helix game (a 21-6 non-league loss).
“We’re starting to get an identity with our running game. We’re starting to get that thunder and lightning.”
Bonita Vista (1-5) used its defense to grab its opening two touchdowns en route to building a 20-0 first quarter lead. Dean Klaser intercepted a pass to set up a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Anthony Posada to Jake Rozar.
On Castle Park’s next series Ignacio Alvarez returned an intercepted pass for a pick six touchdown.
An interception by Jordan Ingco led to the Barons’ third TD of the opening quarter when Klaser scored on a one-yard carry.
Robert Cota scored on a 13-yard run in the second quarter to hike the lead to 27-0. Rozar bolted 60 yards to the end zone on a pass from Posada to make the score 33-0. Rozar scored his third touchdown of the game on a 45-yard pass from Posada as the score rolled over to 40-0.
The second half was played with a running clock.
Eddie Picaso returned the second-half kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown as the score climbed to 47-0.
The winless Trojans kept plugging away and finally scored with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eleazar Cruz to Isaac Zavala.
Nick Esquivias rounded out the scoring for the hosts when he ran in from five yards out in the fourth quarter.
Female place-kicker Brooklyn Hawkins successfully converted six extra-point attempts for the Barons.
Posada has thrown 12 touchdown passes in six games while Rozar has four TD catches.
Castle Park, which dropped to 0-6 on the season, remains the Metro-Pacific League champion until dethroned. Trojan head coach Hans Graham said his team will be working hard to fend off league title contenders Southwest (2-4), San Ysidro (2-5) and Montgomery (1-6).
“We got a lot better (tonight),” Graham explained. “Our guys played hard; they didn’t give up. We’re young. We’re hoping things come around by league. Our kids are getting more confident.
“We’ve got our work cut out to win three games. There is a lot of parity in our league. I think Southwest is the team to beat.”
Castle Park will host Southwest in its homecoming game on Oct. 21. Bonita Vista hosts its homecoming game this Friday when the Barons play Mesa League ruval Olympian (1-0 in league, 4-3 overall).
Metro Conference Standings
Metro-Mesa League
Mater Dei Catholic 1-0, 5-1
Olympian Eagles 1-0, 4-3
Bonita Vista 0-0, 1-5
Eastlake 0-1, 2-5
Otay Ranch 0-1, 2-5
Metro-South Bay League
Hilltop Lancers 0-0, 4-2
Mar Vista Mariners 0-0, 4-2
Chula Vista Spartans 0-0, 4-3
Sweetwater Red Devils 0-0, 1-5
Metro-Pacific League
Southwest Raiders 0-0, 2-4
San Ysidro Cougars 0-0, 2-5
Montgomery Aztecs 0-0, 1-6
Castle Park Trojans 0-0, 0-6
Metro Conference/
South County Playoff Tracker
Division I
Eastlake 2-5
Division II
Mater Dei Catholic 5-1
Olympian 4-3
Otay Ranch 2-5
Bonita Vista 1-5
Division III
Hilltop 4-2
Chula Vista 4-3
Sweetwater 1-5
Division IV
Mar Vista 4-2
Castle Park 0-6
Division V
Southwest 2-4
Lutheran 1-4
Montgomery 1-6
San Ysidro 2-5
Eight-Man
Chula Vista Calvary Christian Academy 2-5
Ocean View Christian Academy 0-4
