Spartans pick up first football win of 2026 season

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Everyone associated with the Chula Vista High School football team knew it was coming. It seemed only a matter of time.

The Spartans, after a 0-4 start, won their first game of the new 2026 season last Friday. It came in convincing fashion at that: 33-12 over the host Olympian Eagles.

“It was a great team win, and I’m really proud of our guys,” Chula Vista head coach Jimmy Clark III said. “We played our most complete game of the season for all four quarters.

“Defensively, we did a great job stopping the run, came away with two interceptions, and blocked a PAT. Offensively, we established the run early and were able to create multiple explosive plays through the passing game.

“I really believe the tough competition we faced early in the season prepared us for this moment. We knew we were going into a tough environment against a big, physical team on their homecoming, and our guys answered the challenge.”

Chula Vista (1-4) scored four rushing touchdowns and added one passing score to drop the host Eagles to 1-4 at the midpoint of the season.
The Richardson brothers did the damage on the ground with 170 yards on 32 carries. Sophomore Asher Richardson rushed 20 times for 79 yards and three touchdowns while senior Elijah Richardson had 12 carries for 91 yards and one touchdown. Elijah Richardson broke off one run for 36 yards.

Junior quarterback Isaiah Orta completed four of six passing attempts for 90 yards with a touchdown pass to senior Gabriel Ruiz (two catches, 47 yards). Senior Jaylen Clark rounded out the CV offense with two catches for 43 yards.

Clark excelled on defense with 12 tackles and one interception while sophomore Edi Iwatt logged 10 defensive stops. Sophomore Angel Gayton also recorded a pick.

Senior Walter Ignacio led Olympian with 252 total yards — 178 passing yards and 74 rushing yards. Senior Josiah Rivera led the Eagles defense with 14 tackles.

The Spartans will look to pick up their second consecutive win when they travel to Crawford (2-2) for a non-league contest this Friday.
The big moment of the season arrives Oct. 9 when the school will host its first varsity tackle football game in the new campus stadium.

“As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be more proud of the fight, grit and resilience this team has shown,” Coach Clark said. “We’ve continued to believe in each other and keep working, and now we’re excited and ready to make a big-time run in the second half of the season.”

Eastlake 44, Vista 0
IIn a rematch of the 2009 Division I championship game at Qualcomm Stadium (won by Eastlake 21-14 over Vista), the Titans left no doubt which was the better team again. The 26th-ranked Metro Conference leaders held the winless Panthers (0-5) to 119 total yards — 118 passing yards and one net rushing yard.

Senior Jovani Ceja led the EHS defense with nine tackles, including two for losses and one sack.

The Titans rang up eight tackles for losses and four sacks in the defensive gem. Senior David Branco had one sack as did senior Andrew Castro and sophomore Javian Ceja.

The hosts also logged three interceptions: one each by Jovani Ceja, Castro and senior Jeremiah White. Ceja returned his pick for a touchdown.

Quarterbacks Joe Waters (junior) and Sean Ryan Hughes (senior) combined to complete five of 10 passing attempts for 91 yards with one touchdown for each signal-caller.

Branco (30 yards) and senior Eidrin Estrelon (32 yards) each had one catch for a TD reception.

Otherwise, Branco was his usual self with 10 carries for 228 yards and two trips into the end zone on homecoming. He broke off one run for 80 yards. He now has scored 15 touchdowns this season (13 on the ground, two through the air) to go with 974 rushing yards (1,038 total yards).

He logged 268 total offensive yards against Vista with three touchdowns.

The Titans controlled the game with 315 rushing yards. Junior R.J. Yamasaki added four carries for 41 yards and one TD.

Eastlake, which racked up 406 total yards against its latest victim, gets a better test this Friday when the Madison Warhawks (3-1) visit. Madison shut out Sweetwater, 30-0, in its last game.

PREP SCOREBOARD
Friday, Sept. 18
Eastlake 44, Vista 0
Chula Vista 33, Olympian 12
Bonita Vista 17, Hoover 14
Mar Vista 26, Montgomery 7
Southwest 23, Sweetwater 20
Westview 38, Hilltop 17
Grossmont 54, Otay Ranch 45
St. Augustine 41, Mater Dei Catholic 21
El Cajon Valley 26, Castle Park 15
Mountain Empire 50, San Ysidro 6
Clairemont 63, Victory Christian Academy 0

BONITA VISTA 17, HOOVER 14
Bonita Vista leaders
Passing: A. Lorenz 6-13, 91 yards
Rushing: T. Moore 24-120, 1 TD; A. Lore3nz 8-8, 1 TD
Receiving: T. Moore 3-40
Defense: L. Yaomoto 2.5 sacks; D. De La Fuente 1 sack; E. Ituarte 0.5 sack; M. Shy 1 interception
Note: M. Johnson 34 FG (5 kicking points)

MAR VISTA 26, MONTGOMERY 7
Mar Vista leaders
Passing: M. Mercado 6-8, 61 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: B. Shumate 16-247 yards, 2 TD; J. Crawford 6-50 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: B. Shumate 1-16, 1 TD; J. Crawford 2-18, C. Corchado 2-20
Defense: J. Davis 1 sack; O. Ortiz 1 sack; A. Shelby 1 interception
Note: B. Shumate 271 all-purpose yardsl Mar VIarta 416 total yards

Coach comment (Sergio Villalva): “Braylon Shumate continues to be a major force for us this season. He has been incredibly explosive, consistently finding ways to impact the game with his speed and play-making ability, whether he’s catching passes or contributing on special teams. He’s been a central part of our offensive rhythm through this mid-season stretch. Along with the added play-making ability and scoring of Jeheil Crawford, who has scored in every game this season and the steady progress of Michael Mercado at QB the team will continue to grow. 
 
 “As a team, we’ve been building good momentum, focusing on maintaining our intensity and execution each week. The group is really jelling, and we’re looking forward to carrying this performance into the second half of the season.”

Montgomery leaders
Passing: R. Bonnett 5-12, 96 yards
Rushing: M. Benton 13-30, 1 TD
Receiving: G. Benavente 2-52
Defense: A. Flores 1 sack; M. Reyes 1 sack; D. Ramirez 1 sack

SOUTHWEST 23, SWEETWATER 20
PICTORIAL SEPT. 18, 2026
Photos by Phillip Brents

Southwest leaders
Passing: I. Munoz 12-18, 223 yards, 3 TD
Rushing: I. Munoz 10-65; S. Gonzales 16-65
Receiving: L. Rivera 7-113, 1 TD; E. Lewis 3-88, 1 TD; S. Gonzalez 1-14, 1 TD
Defense: D. Garcia 1 sack; Y. Tito 1 sack

Sweetwater leaders
Passing: T. Cunningham 7-12, 89 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: F. Mahama 22-262 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: F. Mahama 1-37, 1 TD
Defense: P. Castor 1 sack; A. Aquino 1 sack

EL CAJON VALLEY 26, CASTLE PARK 15
El Cajon Valley leaders
Passing: T. Ibarhimi 13-23, 285 yards, 4 TD
Rushing: J. Kashindi 8-62 yards
Receiving: A. Miller 4-113 yards, 3 TD; G. Kendall-Phial 5-103 yards, 1 TD
Defense: T. Waters 1 sack; A. Miller 2 interceptions; R. Barr 1 interception

Castle Park leaders
Passing: E. Lopez 6-15, 102 yards, 1 TD (3 interceptions)
Rushing: D. Perez 16-73 yards; J. Gonzalez 8-38 yards; E. Lopez 8-36 yards; R. Gonzalez 2-30 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: R. Gonzalez 3-46 yards, 1 TD

GROSSMONT 54, OTAY RANCH 45
Grossmont leaders
Passing: T. Holmes 10-22, 176 yards, 3 TD (1 interception)
Rushing: T. Holmes 20-172 yards, 3 TD; C. Dow 28-162 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: M. Bewley 5-98 yards, 1 TD; J. McClendon 2-44 yards, 1 TD; J. Baird 1-9 yards, 1 TD
Defense: K. Ong 2 interceptions; A. Wuertz 1 sack; J. Yost 1 interception;
Note: T. Holmes 348 total yards; Grossmont 535 total yards

Coach comment (Anthony Lawrence): “I think we have played very tough and physical. Have played some very quality teams so being 4-1 feels great. We need to clean up execution and stay healthy.”

Otay Ranch leaders
Passing: C. Delaughter 16-22, 229 yards, 4 TD (2 interceptions)
Rushing: J. Jordan 8-57 yards, 2 TD; J. Castillo 11-61 yards
Receiving: B. Hyman 7-130 yards, 3 TD; C. Lopez 6-54, 1 TD
Defense: J. Jordan 1.5 sacks; G. Portillo 1 sack; B. Hyman 0.5 sack; J. Washington 1 interceptio (touchdown return); L. Childers 1 interception

ST. AUGUSTINE 41, MATER DEI CATHOLIC 21
St. Augustine leaders
Rushing: P. Polamalu 18-141 yards, 4 TD
Receiving: P. Polamalu 1-51 yards, 1 TD
Defense: L. Cresswell 1 sack; E. Tessada 1 sack; I. Iuli 1 intercetption
Note: P. Polamalu 6 TD (4 rushing, 1 receiving, 1 punt return), 222 kick return yards

Mater Dei Catholic leaders
Defense: M. Cherry 9 tackles; V. Nava 8 tackles

WESTVIEW 17, HILLTOP 17
Hilltop leaders
Passing: O. Bonilla 9-19, 174 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: S. Tarkington 2-90 yards, 2 TD; T. Nichols III 1-42, 1 TD
Defense: Z. Almazon 2 sacks; L. Johnson 2 interceptions; T. Nichols 1 interception; B. Gonzalez 1 fumble recovery

Note: T. Nichols 154 all-purpose yards (10 rush, 42 receiving, 78 kick returns, 24 interception returns)

San Diego Section Football Rankings
(Through Week 5)

1. Carlsbad 5-0
2. Mission Hills 4-1
3. La Costa Canyon 3-2
4. Cathedral Catholic 2-2
5. Granite Hills 3-1
6. Santa Fe Christian 5-0
7. San Marcos 3-1
8. Helix 3-2
9. Del Norte 4-1
10. Oceanside 2-3
11. Pt. Loma 4-1
12. Lincoln 1-4
13. Rancho Bernardo 4-1
14. St. Augustine 1-3
15. Poway 3-2
16. Torrey Pines 4-1
17. Christian 4-0
18. Patrick Henry 4-0
19. La Jolla 1-3
20. Imperial 4-1
21. Grossmont 4-1
22. Central Union 4-1
23. Santana 4-0
24. Holtville 3-2
25. Steele Canyon 2-2
26. Eastlake 5-0
27. Valley Center 2-3
28. Ramona 2-3
29. Mission Bay 2-2
30. Valhalla 2-2
31. West Hills 4-0
32. Mira Mesa 4-1
33. University City 2-2
34. El Camino 0-4
35. Maranatha Christian 5-0
36. Westview 3-2
37. Bishop’s 2-2
38. Escondido Charter 4-0
39. Otay Ranch 2-3
40. San Pasqual 2-2
41. Scripps Ranch 0-4
42. Madison 3-1
43. Hoover 3-2
44. Mt. Carmel 1-4
45. Chula Vista 1-4
46. Morse 2-3
47. Bonita Vista 2-3
48. Mater Dei Catholic
49. La Jolla Country Day 3-2
50. Rancho Buena Vista 2-3
51. San Diego 0-4
52. Vincent Memorial 4-1
53. Fallbrook 3-2
54. El Capitan 1-4
55. Mar Vista 3-2
56. Coronado 1-3
57. Hilltop 2-3
58. Palo Verde Valley 3-2
59. Mountain Empire 3-2
60. Army-Navy Academy 3-2
61. Mount Miguel 1-3
62. Brawley 1-4
63. Coastal Academy 1-2
64. Monte Vista 2-2
65. Crawford 2-2
66. Foothills Christian 3-2
67. Olympian 1-4
68. Soutrhwest San Diego 2-3
69. Classical Academy 1-4
70. Calexico 2-3
71. Montgomery 2-3
72. Southwest El Centro 2-2
73. Canyon Hills 1-3
74. Clairemont 2-3
75. Calipataria 3-1
76. Kearny 0-4
77. Sweetwater 1-4
78. Rock Academy 0-0
79. Tri-City Christian 3-2
80. Escondido 1-3
81. El Cajon Valley 2-3
82. Vista 0-5
83. San Ysidro 1-4
84. O’Farrell Charter 0-5
85. Castle Park 2-3
86. Victory Christian Academy 0-4
87. Orange Glen 0-5
88. San Pasqual Acacemy 1-0