It’s been a while since the Chula Vista High School football team was favored to win a game. But the 2016 Spartans are 2-0 following Friday’s commanding 55-0 non-league victory against the visiting Hoover Cardinals.
“The effort was great … We respected our opponent,” CHVS head coach Daryl Butterfield said after the game that ended with a running clock.
Hoover entered Friday’s game on the heels of a 51-0 non-league loss to visiting Monte Vista last week. The Cardinals (0-2) have now allowed 106 points in their first two games this season.
The Spartans led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter and 40-0 at halftime.
It’s been a while since a Chula Vista team has led by that margin at halftime.
Four players scored touchdowns in Friday’s win: Daniel McPherren, Cameron O’Neal, Sergio Figueroa, Marc Bello and Darrion Hamilton.
McPherren, Figueroa and O’Neal each scored two TDs.
McPherren scored on 37-yard touchdown pass from CV quarterback Paul Escobar to ignite the scoring by the host team on the host’s first offensive play of the game.
O’Neal caught a 10-yard scoring pass to up the score to 14-0 and Figueroa scored on a 26-yard run to make the score 21-0. Bello set up the Spartans’ third score on a fumble recovery.
O’Neal started the scoring in the second half on a 15-yard aerial grab to hike the count to 28-0. Figueroa scored on a 13-yard run to increase the CV lead to 34 after a missed point-after-touchdown conversion.
Still in the second quarter, Bello returned a fumble 64 yards down the sideline to up the score to 40-0 following another missed PAT. A running clock was instituted with 4:48 to play in the first half and was utilized all during the second half, which cut down the duration of the game significantly.
But not enough to allow the Spartans to score two more touchdowns.
McPherren scored on a 28-yard run in the third quarter and Hamilton scored on a 45-yard run in the fourth quarter. A successful two-point conversion to Ublado Nolasco produced the final 55-point margin of victory.
Escobar, who threw three touchdowns in last week’s 35-30 non-league win over visiting Mt. Miguel amassed three more touchdowns against the Cardinals to give him six touchdowns to open the season.
Figueroa and McPherren each have scored four TDs this season.
Chula Vista is an improved team but will face more challenges in the next four weeks that feature three consecutive games on the road (Morse, Castle Park and El Capitan) before returning home to host former Metro-Mesa League foe Eastlake on Sept. 30.
Eastlake defeated visiting El Toro from Lake Forest, 41-21, to pick up its first win of the season on Friday.
“The next four games will tell what this team is all about,” Butterfield said.
Barons seek improvement heading into home opener
The Bonita Vista High School football team, off to a disappointing 0-2 start, will host the Madison Warhawks this Friday at 7 p.m. at Southwestern College. The Barons are coming off a 50-33 non-league loss at San Marcos. “We need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot,” BVHS head coach Chris Thompson underscored. “This week doesn’t get any easier as we take on a very explosive Madison Warhawks team.”
Anthony Posada passed for 272 yards and three touchdowns while Josh Godfrey rushed 18 times for 92 yards to pace the Baron offense. But stopping the nights on defense was a problem as San Marcos scored three rushing and three passing touchdowns to win the high-scoring game.
Bonita Vista has been out-scored 83-47 in two games. Keenan Ellis leads the Barons with 352 yards in all-purpose yards — 185 receiving and 167 on kick returns.
Dean Klaseer’s eligibility appeal was heard by State CIF officials last week. They have 15 days to respond, so the Barons are still waiting to hear the result, according to Thompson.
Mariners down Trojans, 37-14, to kick off season with s 2-0 start
The Mar Vista Mariners used a big 21-point third quarter outburst on the scoreboard to build on a 16-0 halftime lead in turning back the visiting Castle Park Trojans, 37-14, Friday night. With the win, the Mariners improved to 2-0 to start the season.
Mar Vista rolled up 364 rushing yards and 435 total yards in recording the non-league victory. Khalil Spruill (14 carries, 231 yards) and Noah Berry each scored two touchdowns, Alejandro Hinojosa returned an intercepted pass 19 yards for a touchdown and Jake Borst kicked a 17-yard field goal to lift the Imperial Beach team into the win column.
“Castle Park was a big win for us as it was our home opener and also a divisional opponent,” MVHS head coach Tyler Arciaga explained. “Our defense played well and we just (need) to learn to play a complete game on offense. It was nice to get (center Gabriel) Preciado and Spruill back and we hope to keep them healthy throughout the year.”
Spruill racked up 239 all-purpose yards after catching an eight-yard pass from quarterback Mike Wilson (seven completions in 10 passing attempts for 71 yards with one interception).
Niko Figeuroa and Matt Estrada led the Mariners defensively with nine tackles each while Hinojosa, Jared York and Latu Tuavao each made eight stops.
Mar Vista recorded six sacks, including three by Figueroa, two by Tuavao and one by Hinojosa. Marcus Ramirez also made one interception to give the host team two picks in the game.
Hinojoa’s interception return in the first quarter set the tone for the hosts, who tacked on a field goal and a four-yard scoring run by Berry just before halftime. The IB squad played stingy defense in the second half, out-gaining the visitors 241-20 in total yards while allowing only one first down.
Spruill scored on runs of 26 and 31 yards. Cesar Macias tacked on three PAT conversions in the game for Mar Vista.
The Mariners now embark on a road trip to the Pacific Northwest where they will face Federal Way Decatur in their next game on Friday, Sept. 9.
“We are currently in Seattle and we are preaching to the kids that this is a business trip,” Arciaga noted in a post-script. “Our main goal is to play well and get a win against Decatur. The kids have been pretty focused so far and we have some neat activities planned: Seattle Mariner baseball game, Century-Link field tour, watch the NFL Seahawks practice at their facility, Pikes Market/Space Needle and Washington Husky football game. Trips like this can help bring the team together and give them memories they will never forget.”
Castle Park, which fell to 0-2 on the season, bounced back from its season opening 38-6 non-league loss at Hilltop by collecting 282 in total yards. Anthony Rodriguez passed for 171 yard with one touchdown and two interceptions while Eleazar Cruz passed for 76 yards and one additional score.
The Trojans amassed 247 yards through the air and 35 rushing yards. Airrien Smith caught five passes for 77 yards and one touchdown while Charles Tolbert had six catches for 54 yards and one TD.
Anthony Navarro led Castle Park with 129 all-purpose yards — 96 receiving yards and 33 kick-return yards.
Troy Richmond and Cruz topped the Trojans defensively with eight tackles each while Tyshon Peters had one interception.
Castle Park hosts Santana this Friday in a non-league encounter.
In other games on Friday:
Mater Dei Catholic 41, El Capitan 14
Kyle Moses scored three touchdowns in the game — one each on offense, defense and special teams — to ignite the visiting Crusaders to the runaway non-league victory. Moses opened the game with a nine-yard TD catch from quarterback Chris Jones, then scored on a 57-yard interception return before capping the night with an 83-yard kick-off return. Teammate C.J. Verdell, meanwhile, racked up 190 total yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. On defense, the visitors racked up five sacks, three picks and one blocked punt.
The Crusaders improved to 2-0 on the season.
“We again were very proud of the way our defense held up to a physical El Capitan team,” MDCHS head coach John Joyner explained. “They were a much bigger team but we felt like we played more physical. Kyle Moses led the way with a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams and Jovan Bayless again led the defense and was all over the field.”
Eastlake 41, El Toro (Lake Forest) 21
The Titans handed new head coach Dean Tropp his first varsity win in comeback fashion. Trailing 7-0, Eastlake;s Micah Pietila-Wiggs scored on an 85-yard punt return to tie the game and the Titans went on to build an insurmountable lead. Quarterbsck Aldrerdo Garcia passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 102 yards and scored two touchfdowns. Evan Farrage had three catches for 88 yards and one touchdown. Jaylin Jackson also caught one scoring pass while Josh Montoya scored one rushing touchdown as Eastlake improved to 1-1 on the season.
Pietila-Wiggs led the hosts with 150 all-purpose yards: 10 receiving, 55 on kick-off returns and 85 on punt returns. Micah Mendillo paced the Titans with 16 tackles while Declan Fernandez made 14 stops. Jae Vitin had one interception while Donyal Thompson had one fumble recovery.
“We played much better than the week before,” Tropp noted. “We still need to keep working on limiting our mistakes and penalties. We strive to get better every day, little by little. We need to play much better the next three weeks as we have a tough schedule ahead of us.”
The Titans host perennial section power house Helix this Friday.
Olympian 44, Sweetwater 0
Noah Lacsina scored on a six-yard run, Nico Mendoza passed 32 yards to Rashaun Brown, Ralphie Gomez kicked a 28-yard field goal, Trey Curry scored on a 17-yard run, Royce Casiano scored on back-to-back touchdown runs of two and nine yards, and David Tirey scored on a 14-yard run to lead the host Eagles to a 2-0 season start.
“Our overall player performance was much improved over the previous week. Poway is 2-0 and a physical team. We are looking forward to the challenge,” Olympian head coach Paul Van Nostrand said in regard to Friday’s non-league match-up against the host Titans.
Hilltop 24, La Jolla 21
Trailing 21-7 with 10:19 to play in the third quarter, the visiting Lancers rallied with 17 unanswered points to improve to 2-0 on the season. Hilltop started its comeback on a field goal by Max Ugarte. Domonic Esparza then scored a rushing touchdown to make the score 21-16 in La Jolla’s favor. Gus Ferreira then caught a touchdown pass to push the visitors ahead 22-21 on the scoreboard. Ferreira then added some insurance by scoring on the ensuing two-point conversion play. “So proud of the team,” HHS head coach Drew Westling tweeted after the game.
Prep football scoreboard
Friday, Sept. 2
Non-League
Chula Vista 55, Hoover 0
Mater Dei Catholic 41, El Capitan 14
Hilltop 24, La Jolla 21
Eastlake 41, El Toro (Lake Forest) 21
Mar Vista 37, Castle Park 14
San Marcos 50, Bonita Vista 33
El Cajon Valley 40, Montgomery 0
Serra 41, San Ysidro 0
Grossmont 35, Otay Ranch 21
Southwest 43, Xochicalco (Tijuana, Mexico) 7
Olympian 44, Sweetwater 0
Temecula Prep 20, Lutheran 0
Eight man
Chula Vista Calvary Christian Academy 46, Ocean View Christian Academy 14
Friday, Sept. 9
Non-League
Hoover at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
Helix at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Bonita Vista vs. Madison (Southwestern College), 7 p.m.
Rancho Bernardo at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
Santana at Castle Park, 7 p.m.
Chula Vista at Morse, 6:30 p.m.
Army-Navy at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
Crenshaw at San Ysidro, 7 p.m.
Crawford at Southwest, 7 p.m.
Olympian at Poway, 7 p.m.
Mar Vista at Decatur (Federal Way, Wash.), 7 p.m.
Lutheran at Sherman Indian (Riverside), 7 p.m.
San Diego Section Rankings
San Diego Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
1. St. Augustine Saints
2. Helix Highlanders
3. Cathedral Catholic Dons
4. Oceanside Pirates
5. Rancho Bernardo Broncos
6. Mission Hills Grizzlies
7. Madison Warhawks
8. Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
9. Poway Titans
10. San Marcos Knights
Others: Mt. Carmel Sundevils, Grossmont Foothillers, El Camino Wildcats, La Costa Canyon Mavericks, Carlsbad Lancers, Eastlake Titans, Olympian Eagles, Valhalla Norsemen, Santa Fe Christian Eagles
Metro Conference Standings
Metro-Mesa League
Mater Dei Catholic 0-0, 2-0
Olympian Eagles 0-0, 2-0
Eastlake 0-0, 1-1
Bonita Vista 0-0, 0-2
Otay Ranch 0-0, 0-2
Metro-South Bay League
Chula Vista Spartans 0-0, 2-0
Hilltop Lancers 0-0, 2-0
Mar Vista Mariners 0-0, 2-0
Sweetwater Red Devils 0-0, 0-2
Metro-Pacific League
Southwest Raiders 0-0, 1-1
Castle Park Trojans 0-0, 0-2
Montgomery Aztecs 0-0, 0-2
San Ysidro Cougars 0-0, 0-2
Metro Conference/
South County Playoff Tracker
Division I
Eastlake 1-1
Division II
Mater Dei Catholic 2-0
Olympian 2-0
Bonita Vista 0-2
Otay Ranch 0-2
Division III
Chula Vista 2-0
Hilltop 2-0
Sweetwater 0-2
Division IV
Mar Vista 2-0
Castle Park 0-2
Division V
Southwest 1-1
Lutheran 0-2
Montgomery 0-2
San Ysidro 0-2
Eight-Man
Chula Vista Calvary Christian Academy 1-1
Ocean View Christian Academy 0-2
