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Mater Dei Catholic’s season-opening six game losing streak now appears well behind the Crusaders, who can wrap up this year’s Metro-Mesa League championship with a win Friday at Otay Ranch High School.
At 3-6 overall, Mater Dei Catholic carries a 3-0 league record into the game. Otay Ranch is 1-1 in league, 4-4 overall. Eastlake is 2-1 in league, 8-1 overall, after being dispatched, 42-7, last Friday by the host Crusaders to fall from the ranks of the undefeated.
Just three teams remain undefeated in the San Diego Section: No. 1 Carlsbad (8-0), No. 5 Santa Fe Christian (9-0) and No. 21 Patrick Henry (8-0).
Mater Dei Catholic head coach Rashard Cook called last Friday’s verdict “ a good win for our program.”
“I’m proud of the way our players competed,” he said. “Eastlake came into the game undefeated at 8-0, so we knew we were facing a good football team. Give them credit for continuing to battle, but what impressed me most was how our guys stayed composed, executed and continued to make plays.
“One of the biggest keys was getting off to a fast start. Sophomore Jacob Anderson stepped in at quarterback and did an outstanding job. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, including a 43-yard touchdown to Khalonie Jordan and a 20-yard touchdown to Diego Mendoza. I was really proud of his preparation, confidence and ability to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Offensively, we finished with 459 total yards, matching our season high. Jayden Blondin did a great job creating opportunities with his legs, rushing for 101 yards on eight carries and a touchdown. Bryce Howard-Collins also had a strong performance, adding 86 rushing yards and a touchdown. Those guys helped establish our running game and put pressure on Eastlake’s defense.
“I was equally pleased with our defensive effort. Holding an undefeated team to seven points says a lot about how our guys prepared and executed. We’ve been emphasizing discipline, communication and getting off the field, and we’re starting to see that work pay off.
“We’ve now won three straight games, scoring 142 points while allowing just 21 during that stretch. That’s encouraging, but what matters more to me is the growth we’re seeing across the entire team.
“Adrian Wilson’s fumble recovery for a touchdown was a big play for us, but what impressed me most was the way our defense competed throughout the game. Our players were disciplined, played with confidence and continued to execute.
“We’ve challenged our defense all season, and it’s encouraging to see the work they’re putting in translate to Friday nights.
“I’ve said all season that we put together a difficult schedule for a reason. We wanted to challenge our players, expose areas where we needed to improve, and prepare ourselves for league play and the postseason. We never lost sight of our goals, even when the results weren’t going our way.
“I’m proud of our players and coaching staff for continuing to believe in the process and each other. We’re playing better football, but we’re nowhere near satisfied. Our goals remain the same: compete for a league championship, a CIF championship, and ultimately a state.”
At this rate, it could happen.
Junior R.J. Yamasaki scored Eastlake’s lone touchdown while senior Nico Alba (42 yards) and sophomore Ryan Nicolaus (15 yards) each had one interception.
The game was close at halftime, 14-7, before the hosts ended the game with a 28-0 run.
Otay Ranch 32, Olympian 20
Sophomore Jeremiah Jordan and senior Jaidon Castillo each scored two rushing touchdowns while senior Carlos Lopez caught a scoring pass to lead the Mustangs (1-1 in league, 4-4 overall).
For Olympian (0-2 in league, 2-6 overall), Isaiah Mena passed for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Gio Ware had two catches for 89 yards while senior Noah Elingson had seven catches for 78 yards. Junior Gael Gonzalez helped anchor the Eagles with one catch for 39 yards and 20 tackles on defense.
Hilltop 23, Sweetwater 3
Junior Tre Nichols III led the Lancers (1-0 in league, 5-3 overall) to their third consecutive win with three rushing touchdowns while also reeling in 50 receiving yards for 88 all-purpose yards. Sophomore Lane Bailey passed for 82 yards and added 14 rushing yards for 96 total yards in offense while junior Max Vaquero rushed for 78 yards. Seniors Zion Almazon and Abraham Matuz keyed the Hilltop with 12 tackles each. Almazon and junior Dante Hernandez each recorded one sack. Senior Lujuan Johnson had one interception for 52 yards.
Senior Noah Calingay accumulated 100 yards in offense (39 rushing, 61 passing) for Sweetwater (0-1 in league, 1-7 overall).
Bonita Vista 12, Chula Vista 7
Junior Ta’Vion Moore rushed for 75 yards and one touchdown and senior Cole Margetts caught a 49-yard scoring pass to pace the Barons, who won despite generating just 131 yards in total offense. Senior Anthony Lorenz passed for 114 yards while junior Isaiah Jimenez led the defense with 10 tackles. Sophomore Lukas Yaomoto had one sack.
Bonita Vista (1-0 in league, 4-4 overall) led 12-0 on a pair of touchdowns and missed two-point conversions before the visiting Spartans who totaled 156 yards in offense on the night (101 rushing, 55 passing) finally got on the scoreboard very late in the game on a touchdown by sophomore Asher Richardson (10 carries, 59 yards)
The Spartans (0-1 in league, 2-6 overall) attempted an onside kick and recovered on the second try following a penalty. But the Chula Vista possession did not last long as junior Imiliano Ituarte logged his second interception of the game to cap the BV victory. Sophomore Lukas Yaomoto had one sack for the Barons on defense.
Senior Gabriel Ruiz had six catches for 51 yards. Junior Isaiah Orta had 77 total yards on 55 passing yards and 22 rushing yards on three carries. Senior Elijah Richardson added 18 yards on seven carries while leading the team defensively with 10 tackles.
The CV defense kept the Barons at bay with 10 sacks, including four by Elijah Richardson and two by junior Alfred Francis, who also blocked a field goal attempt.
SOUTHWEST 45, CASTLE PARK 8
Junior Isaac Munoz passes for 211 yards and five touchdowns to lead the visiting Raiders (1-0 in league, 5-3 overall) in their Metro-Pacific League opener against the Trojans (0-1 in league, 3-5 overall). Senior Elojah Lewis had five catches for 77 yards and three touchdowns while senior Leo Holguin had six catches for 110 yards and one touchdown and junior Joseph Ellis caught a six-yard scoring pass.
Senior Samuel Goznalez rushed for 101 yards and one TD. Sophomore Lucas Casas had eight kicking points on one field goal and five PAT conversions.
Senior Evan Lopez (11 carries, 99 yards) scored the long touchdown for Castle Park. Lopez finished with 176 total yards by tacking on 77 passing yards. Senior Jesus Gonzalez had two catches for 60 yards.
MAR VISTA 12, SAN YSIDRO 0
The host Mariners (1-0 in league, 5-3 overall) broke a scoreless halftime deadlock with two third-quarter touchdowns to de-claw the Cougars (0-1 in league (2-6 overall). Sophomore Michael Mercado passed for 117 yards and one touchdown while junior Cecil Thomas accumulated 135 total yards on 88 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards (one touchdown). Thomas also had an interception on defense as did junior Cade Corchado.
Mar Vista registered six sacks — five by junior Oscar Arias and one by senior Noah Hudkins.
