Defense is a beautiful word around the Mater Dei Catholic High School football program.
Senior team captain Joey Hiner spells it with the number on his jersey — 77. Senior defensive end Luke Teskey spells it “9” while junior linebacker Tre Edwards spells it “3.”
Hiner, Teskey and Edwards, along with their crusading teammates, will play in Friday’s state Division 2-AA championship game because they play defense so well.
Mater Dei Catholic defeated the Helix Charter Highlanders, 24-21, in spell-binding fashion last Friday to capture the teams’ Southern California regional playoff and get the opportunity to play one more week under the lights.
Mater Dei Catholic head coach John Joyner admitted it took a supreme effort from his Mesa League championship team to hand the reigning Grossmont Hills League champions the narrow loss.
“We needed everyone on our team to contribute to get this win,” Joyner said. “Everyone on defense had to contribute.”
The Highlanders won this year’s San Diego Section Division I championship in dramatic fashion as senior Christian Washington scored from a yard out with 1:13 remaining in regulation play to cap a 28-21 come-from-behind victory over the Lincoln Hornets.
Mater Dei Catholic defeated Ramona, 37-10, to win the section’s Division III championship, thus cementing the teams’ dream matchup in the regional playoff game.
The teams were originally scheduled to meet in the third week of regular season play but the game had to be canceled because of COVID protocols within the Mater Dei Catholic program.
When the Scotties and Crusaders finally did get to meet on the field this season, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
The game produced its own dramatic ending.
With Helix (9-4) driving for what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of play, Mater Dei Catholic sophomore Isaiah Bruxton broke up a fourth-and-nine pass from Highlander sophomore quarterback Ryland Jessee to preserve the host Crusader victory.
As a result of the crucial defensive stop, Mater Dei Catholic (12-0) will meet Modesto Central Catholic (13-1) in Friday’s state championship game at Saddleback College. Kick-off is 4 p.m.
Central Catholic out-lasted Fresno Bullard (9-5) by a score of 44-41 in last Friday’s Northern California regional playoff.
“When you get to this level, when you have two teams that are closely ranked, it will be a close game, that’s what the math says,” Helix head coach Robbie Owens said. “We were a little one dimensional with Christian on that last drive. We just couldn’t get that first down.
“They had a couple big plays and that was the difference. We are a young group. I’m proud of how we developed over the season.”
The Crusaders appear to be continuing to develop even in the playoffs. Joyner must hope his team peaks in Friday’s state final.
Game on
Helix scored first in last Friday’s encounter when Crusader junior receiver Cruz Estrada fumbled a pass reception while moving up field. Senior Xavier Van recovered the ball at the Mater Dei Catholic 47-yard line.
The Highlanders’ first possession ended with an 18-yard touchdown run by Washington with 6:29 to play in the first quarter.
7-0 Scotties.
Mater Dei Catholic benefitted from a muffed punt on Helix’s part, recovered by junior D.J. Overstreet, to set its first scoring drive in motion.
A pass interference call set up a five-yard scoring pass from junior Dominic Nankil to junior Chris Snyder to tie the score 7-7 with 58 seconds left in the opening quarter.
The teams combined for 24 points in the second quarter — 14 by Helix and 10 by Mater Dei Catholic.
The Crusaders took a 14-7 lead on a meandering 66-yard breakaway touchdown run by sophomore Anthony McMillian early on in the quarter while Washington tied the score, 14-14, on a five-yard run.
Mater Dei Catholic went ahead, 17-14, on a 25-yard field goal by sophomore Ricky Osuna. But there was time still left on the scoreboard for one last big play in the period as Washington took a swing pass from Jessee and bolted 68 yards down the sideline to put the East County visitors ahead once more at 21-17.
A punt to the one-yard line by Helix senior Noah Horvath kept the South County hosts from doing any further damage as the first half came to an end.
Surprisingly, there would be only one touchdown scored in the second half. It came on one play — an 80-yard catch-and-carry down the middle of the field by junior Jerry McClure.
The Highlanders got the ball back on a punt with 4:31 left in the game, starting in great field position at the Crusader 45-yard line. Facing fourth-down and one, Washington broke through to set up a first down at the 22-yard line. Helix advanced the ball to the 20-yard line with exactly one minute to play.
An incomplete pass brought up third-down and eight yards to go with 55 seconds left. The Scotties moved the ball four yards closer to the goal line to bring up fourth-and-four.
Helix attempted to goad Mater Dei Catholic into an offside infraction. Instead, the Scotties were dinged for a motion call to move the ball five yards farther from the goal line.
With the extra yardage tacked on, the Highlanders opted for a pass play to the home sideline, deep in Crusader territory, where the Mater Dei Catholic defense rested its case.
Nankil said he was not surprised his team came out victorious.
“It feels great, especially because we practiced really well this week,” said Nankil, who passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns. “I thought we played well overall. Our defense played really hard — it was our best game of the season.”
Nothing less could have resulted in a Helix victory.
“We went into the locker room at halftime and a couple of us had our heads down,” Nankil said. “But we had to step it up in the second half.”
The Highlanders pitched a second-half shutout in overcoming a 21-14 halftime deficit against Lincoln in the Division I championship game. The Scotties were the victim of a second-half shutout pitched by the Mater Dei Catholic defense.
Helix attempted 46 rushing plays — 40 by Washington for 205 yards. Washington finished the game with 273 total offensive yards. He scored all three of the Scotties’ touchdowns.
“We just fell short a little bit,” Washington said. “A couple guys went down at the end, we had a bunch of new people in. Otherwise, it was a great season.”
Jessee completed six of 16 passing attempts for 115 yards — the bulk of it to Washington on one play — with one touchdown and one interception.
Horvath, who was successful on all three extra-point conversions, averaged 38 yards on four punts. He deposited the ball inside the 20-yard line three times besides averaging 54.3 yards on four kickoffs.
For the Crusaders, McClure was credited with six catches for 124 yards while Estrada made three catches for 79 yards.
San Diego Section Commissioner Joe Heinz was at last Friday’s game. He said it was fairly rare that local section champions meet in the state playoffs.
“It’s not every year that it happens at all,” he said. “We were excited to have the playoffs, all the matchups. We’re excited to have all these teams (six divisional section champions) in the regionals. Hopefully, we’ll be able to have a state champion.”
Of the six San Diego Section teams that competed in last weekend’s regional playoffs, three advanced.
Besides Mater Dei Catholic pushing through to the Division 2-AA championship game, Division II section champion Scripps Ranch (13-1) will meet Santa Clara Wilcox (10-4) in the Division 2-A championship game (Saturday at noon at Saddleback College) while Open Division champion Cathedral Catholic (11-2) will tackle Folsom (11-3) in the Division 1-AA championship game (Friday at 8 p.m. at Saddleback College).
Cathedral Catholic senior Lucky Sutton rushed for 431 yards in the Dons’ 71-62 win over Orange Lutheran (10-5) and scored seven touchdowns — six rushing and one receiving.
Joyner said Central Catholic should present a challenging opponent. “Bullard and Central Catholic are both storied programs,” Joyner assessed before the Crusaders’ state championship opponent was known.
Central Catholic rushed for 441 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns in the win over Bullard. Senior Aiden Taylor rushed for 281 yards and scored four touchdowns while senior Julian Lopez gained 118 yards and scored twice.
On defense, Central Catholic recorded five sacks, two interceptions and blocked one field goal.
Mater Dei Catholic players feel confident they have the proverbial right stuff.
“It feels normal to us, though we know it’s not just another game,” Nankil said. “We expect to win.”
Southern California Regional Football Playoff
DIVISION 1-AA
Cathedral Catholic 71, Orange Lutheran 62
DIVISION 2-AA
Mater Dei Catholic 24, Helix 21
DIVISION 2-A
Scripps Ranch 45, Valencia 38
DIVISION 3-A
Lake Balboa Birmingham 42, Patrick Henry 35
DIVISION 6-AA
Quartz Hill 26, Palo Verde Valley 20
Panthers on the prowl: Youth football program pairs 24 graduates with CIF championship rings
The Eastlake Panther Youth Football and Cheer Association would like to congratulate 24 former players who won San Diego Section championships in their respective divisions the weekend of Nov. 26-27.
Mater Dei Catholic High School features 16 former Panthers on its Division III championship roster: Jerry McClure, Chris Snyder Jr., Tre Edwards, Anthony Lopez, Daniel Lopez, Kenyon Lepisi, Cruz Estrada, Jason Harden, Dominic Nankil, Brandon Rinehart, Nate Campbell, Sam Brown, Jose Santos Jr., Darnell Jennings, Jeremiah Cook and Taye Howell.
Helix Charter High School featured six former Panthers on its Division I championship roster: Adrian Parker, Quincy Herron, Isaiah Gonzalez, Joshua Carroll, Puka Noa and Kairo Kahananui.
Cathedral Catholic High School’s Open Division champions featured former Panthers Sean Kagen and Marcus Ratcliffe.
What an accomplishment.
The Eastlake Panther coaching staff developed 22 of the 24 young men into the stellar athletes they are today: Clark Moses, Larry Edwards, Derwin Williams, Max Schwenke, Ike Owens, Bob Hughes, Eric Parker, Elias Noa, Ron Cortell, Ernie Buchanan (R.I.P.), Rod Shelton, Derek Barksdale, Todd Glanz, Myles Wright and Kelii Kahananui.
Metro Conference to help fill South lineup for Saturday’s Alex Spanos All-Star Classic
Saturday’s 31st annual Alex Spanos All-Star Classic will take place at Escondido High School. Kick-off is 4 p.m.
The event is known as one of the longest-running high school football all-star events in the state and has been a crown jewel in San Diego County since sponsorship with the Chargers began decades ago.
The first all-star game took place in 1991 at Torrey Pines High School to put a cap on the 1990 season.
South County representation has been key since the current North-South format was adopted.
Metro Conference schools are contributing 14 players to this year’s 43-man South roster.
The Bonita Vista High School coaching staff is serving as the South team’s coaches this year, headed by Baron head coach Tyler Ariciaga.
South County players represented include receiver/defensive back Jaydin Jackson, linebacker Jayden Kendricks and defensive back Jayden Cortell from Eastlake High School; receiver/defensive back Jordan Mahan from Mar Vista High School; receiver/defensive back Jayhalin Sanders, defensive back Noah Concepcion, receiver/defensive back Jonathan Nava, defensive end Dominic Yancey and offensive lineman/defensive tackle Kito Fierro from Otay Ranch High School; quarterback Nathan Roble-Cistobal and receiver/defensive back Malosi Iuli from Bonita Vista High School; running back/linebacker/long-snapper Javier Sanchez from Sweetwater High School; and tight end/defensive end Zack Bernard from Hilltop High School.
East County players represented include receiver/defensive backs Savigon Yokley and Antwone Yokley, twin brothers, from El Capitan High School; receiver/defensive back Dylan Snyder and center Andrew Engstrom from West Hills High School; quarterback Trenton Giles, linebacker Ryan Odom, defensive back Christian Espino, linebacker Brennen Sanders and receiver Ryan Rodieck from Grossmont High School; linebacker Spencer Campillo, defensive back Nathan Gillis and kicker David Martinez from Steele Canyon High School; offensive/defensive lineman Tanner Vielguth and tight end/defensive lineman Zach Burton from Granite Hills High School; and center/defensive lineman Jackson Dolan from Santana High School.
Selections from City Conference schools include tight end/defensive lineman Gracen Halton, running back Isaiah Pressley, linebacker Jake Bolin and offensive lineman Luke Bolin from St. Augustine High School; running back/defensive back Elijah Lux, receiver/defensive back Omar Hammond and tight end/linebacker Makia Elliot from Patrick Henry; Mission Bay quarterback Clash Osborn; Coronado running back/linebacker Zane Delcore; Kearny offensive guard Cedric Wells; San Diego running back/linebacker Michael Savage; Madison tight end/defensive end Cole Hartman; University City offensive tackle Jose Sanchez; and Mira Mesa offensive guard Andy White.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
SDSU football team accepts bid to play in Frisco Bowl
Special to The Star-News
The San Diego State football team has accepted an invitation to play the University of Texas-San Antonio in the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 21. The game will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, and will be broadcast nationally by ESPN. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
The Aztecs (11-2) are in a bowl game for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons after withdrawing from consideration in the shortened 2020 season. SDSU is one of only eight schools to have at 10 or more victories since 2015, joining Alabama, Appalachian State, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
San Diego State’s 11 victories are tied for the most in its 99 seasons of football.
The Roadrunners, meanwhile, are 12-1 after capturing their first Conference USA title with a 49-41 win over Western Kentucky last Friday. UTSA’s 12 victories are a program record.
Both the Aztecs and Roadrunners are ranked 24th in different polls. SDSU is 24th in the final College Football Playoff rankings, while UTSA is No. 24 in the final regular-season AP Top 25 poll.
The Aztecs dropped a 46-13 decision to Utah State in Saturday’s Mountain West championship game at Health Dignity Sports Park in Carson.
SDSU was missing 20 players because of COVID protocols, including its top three tight ends. The talent drain came at an inopportune time for the MW regular season West Division champions.
The Aztecs entered Saturday’s conference championship game ranked 19th nationally.
Junior receiver Jesse Matthews, a Christian High School alumnus, had eight receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown in the loss.
The touchdown was his fifth in the past three games, seventh of the season and 10th of his career. Over the last three games, the former Patriot has 26 catches for 290 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior running back Greg Bell (Bonita Vista) had 11 carries for 50 yards to raise his rushing total to 999 yards for the season. He has 1,627 rushing yards for his career in just 19 games, which ranks 20th in program history.
Junior kicker/punter Matt Araiza (Rancho Bernardo) was two-for-three in field goal attempts while supplying the extra-point conversion on the Aztecs’ lone touchdown in the game.
San Diego State and UTSA will be playing for the first time. The Aztecs are 26-6 all-time against Conference USA members.
Extra points
SDSU ended regular season play with a 27-16 victory against Boise State Nov. 26 in Carson to wrap up the MW’s West Division championship. The Aztecs rallied from an early 16-3 deficit to post the comeback victory with four unanswered scoring drives.
Matthews (nine catches, 133 yards) caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jordon Brookshire (192 passing yards) to get the SDSU steam-roller going. Bell (15 carries, 42 net yards) scored on a two-yard run to put the Aztecs ahead, 20-16, in the third quarter. It was his team-leading eighth touchdown of the season.
Helix alum Michael Shawcroft registered six tackles to tie six teammates for the team lead.
