Four Metro teams remain in line for CIF football titles

A whopping 11 South County teams qualified for this year’s San Diego Section tackle football playoffs. Four are still in contention for divisional championships entering this weekend’s second round of elimination play.

A healthy number of 10 local teams competed in last weekend’s opening round, but only three emerged with victories to continue their title quests.

Eastlake, seeded fifth in the Division IV field, defeated the 12th-seeded West Hills Wolf Pack (4-7) by a commanding score of 35-0.

The Titans (5-6) travel to take on the fourth-seeded Mt. Carmel Sundevils (4-6) in Friday’s quarterfinals. The winner moves on to the division semifinals on Nov. 21.

Hilltop, seeded eighth in the Division IV field, scored an impressive home field 28-7 win by overpowering ninth-seeded Coastal Academy (9-2).

The Lancers’ reward? Hilltop (8-3) advances to meet the top-seeded Westview Wolverines (6-4) in the ensuing quarterfinals.

“We lost to them (32-21) in Week 5 but we’re a different team now,” said Lancer head coach Bryan Wagner, whose team has won six games in a row.

Chula Vista (No. 5 seed) and Metro-Pacific League champion Mar Vista (No. 12 seed) paired up in a Division V first-round matchup at Otay Ranch High School, with the higher-seeded Spartans advancing by virtue of a 44-16 score.

Chula Vista (3-8) will play at the fourth-seeded Canyon Hills Rattlers (6-4) on Friday, hoping not to be bitten. The winner advances to the division semifinals.

The Sweetwater Red Devils made it four Metro teams in the quarterfinals after receiving a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed in the Division V bracket. They will host ninth-seeded Hoover (5-6) on Friday after the Cardinals recorded a 30-28 upset win over eighth-seeded Escondido (2-9) in the opening round.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to play in the playoffs and plan on putting a great product on the field for our family and fans,” SuHi head coach Brandon Burris said. “Our keys to victory are to play great defense while being able to maintain a strong running game on offense. We have to generate some big plays on offense, defense and special teams to make a championship run, which is obviously our goal being the No.1 seed in our division.”

Passing grades

Senior Tyler Balko passed for 173 yards and three touchdown and added a rushing score to lead host Eastlake, which received TDs from junior David Branco (five carries, 72 yards), senior Ryan Bran co (three catches, 42 yards, two TD) and junior Santi Aleta (three catches, 63 yards).

Senior Leo Mendoza rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns while junior Lajuan Johnson added 137 yards and one score to bolster Hilltop’s 328-yard offensive attack. The Lancers led 21-0 at halftime.

Chula Vista’s offense exploded for 505 rushing yards in a commanding performance. senior Isaiah Heard led the charge with 187 yards and one touchdown while junior Elijah Richardson added 150 yards and three scores. senior Darrion Frisson contributed 96 yards on just four carries, showcasing the team’s depth in the backfield. Senior Michael Marquez scored once.

On defense, junior Jaylen Clark made a huge impact with a strip-sack fumble and a recovery in the end zone for a touchdown, and junior MyShawn Mitchell blocked a punt and broke up multiple key passes to seal the win.

“Next we turn our focus to Canyon Hills, aiming for a disciplined defensive effort and a strong, physical ground attack,” Spartan coach Jimmy Clark III said. “The goal is simple: stay sound, control the tempo and keep the momentum rolling into the next playoff challenge.”

Not so fortunate were Mater Dei Catholic (No. 12 seed in Division I, 41-7 loss at No. 5 Point Loma), Olympian (No. 7 seed in Division III, 40-21 loss to No. 10 Patrick Henry), Montgomery (No. 9 seed in Division III, 41-0 loss at No. 8 Bishop’s), Otay Ranch (No. 12 seed in Division III, 27-0 loss at No. 5 Madison), Bonita Vista (No. 10 seed in Division V, 11-10 loss at No. 7 Santana) and Victory Christian Academy (No. 6 seed in Division V-AA, 44-37 loss at No. 3 Mountain Empire).

Mater Dei Catholic trailed Point Loma (11-0) by a score of 21-0 at the start of the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t do a good enough job of securing first downs, scoring and winning the turnover battle,” Crusader coach Rashard Cook said. “We have a lot of guys coming back. I think we will be in good shape to make another run.”

Hilltop 28, Coastal Academy 7

Photo Gallery by Phillip Brents

Eastlake 35, West Hills 0

Photo Gallery by Jon Bigornia

San Diego Section Playoffs

Open Division
Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m.
(4) Cathedral Catholic (8-2) at (1) Mission Hills (9-1)
(3) Carlsbad (9-1) at (2) La Costa Canyon (9=1)

First Round
Friday. Nov. 7
(5) Point Loma 41, (12) Mater Dei Catholic 7
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m.
(7) Rancho Bernardo (9-2) at (2) Granite Hills (7-3)
(6) Oceanside (7-2) at (3) Mt. Miguel (7-3)

Division II
First Round
Friday, Nov. 7
(7) Helix 49, (10) San Pasqual 27
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m.
(7) Helix (5-6) at (2) Steele Canyon (7-3)

Division III
First Round
Friday, Nov. 7
(6) Christian 37, (11) Brawley 16
(10) Patrick Henry 40, (7) Olympian 21
(5) Madison 27, (12) Otay Ranch 0
(8) Bishop’s 41, (9) Montgome
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m.
(6) Christian (4-7) at (3) Ramona (5-5)

Division IV
First Round
Friday, Nov. 7
(5) Eastlake 35, (12) West Hills 0
(8) Hilltop 28, (9) Coastal Academy 7
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m.
(10) La Jolla Country Day (5-6) at (2) El Capitan (4-6)
(8) Hilltop (8-3) at (1) Westvew (6-4)
(5) Eastlake (5-6) at (4) Mt. Carmel (4-6)

Division V
First Round
Friday, Nov. 7
(7) Santana 11, (10) Bonita Vista 10
(6) Fallbrook 35, (11) Valhalla 28
(5) Chula Vista 44, (12) Mar Vista 16
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m.
(5) Hoover (5-6) at (1) Sweetwater (4-6)
(6) Fallbrook (4-7) at (3) Monte Vista (5-5)
(7) Santana (6-5) at (2) Morse (6-4)
(5) Chula Vista (3-8) at (4) Canyon Hills (6-4)

Division V-AA
First Round
Friday, Nov. 7
(3) Mountain Empire 44, (6) Victory Christian Academy 37
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m.
(3) Mountain Empire (9-2) at (2) Palo Verde Valley (7-4)

Championship Games
Southwestern College
Tuesday, Nov. 25
Open Division: 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28
Division V: 3 p.m.
Division II: 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Division IV: noon
Division III: 3:30 p.m.
Division I: 7:30 p.m.

Girls Flag Football Champions

Division I: Torrey Pines
Division II: Vincent Memorial
Division III: Mira Mesa
Division IV: Patrick Henry
Division V: Olympian