Mater Dei Catholic, Bonita Vista return to gridiron after CIF runner-up finishes

The upcoming tackle football season will once again serve as a proving ground for teams that have aspirations of not only qualifying for the San Diego Section playoffs but excelling in postseason competition.

To that point, Mater Dei Catholic and Bonita Vista high schools have something to live up to this year after both Metro Conference schools recorded runner-up finishes in their respective playoff divisions last season.

Mater Dei Catholic, seeded second in the Division II bracket, finished runner-up to the No. 4 Poway Titans via a 62-24 monster blowout loss.

Bonita Vista, seeded No. 2 among Division V teams, finished runner-up to No. 12 Monte Vista, which turned out to be the surprise team in last year’s playoffs.

The question at hand: Can the Crusaders and Barons successfully reload in 2025?
Mater Dei Catholic head coach Rashard Cook believes his team can hold its own.

“This year’s team brings a strong mix of experienced returners and hungry young talent,” Cook said. “We expect to compete for a league title and make a deep playoff run. Our goals remain focused on developing high-character student-athletes, winning with class, and representing our school and community with pride. With strong leadership and depth across all three phases, this group has the potential to do something special.”

Bonita Vista is facing more regeneration, according to head coach Jay Hernandez.

“We have a young team with a handful of juniors and sophomores,” Hernandez said. “We’re looking to compete in the Metro- South Bay League. We’re installing a new hybrid wing-T offense looking to get 2,500 rushing yards.”

The Barons are looking to do to other teams what Monte Vista senor Alex Villanueva did last year in the Division V championship game by rushing for 297 yards and scoring five touchdowns in a 38-20 victory.

Villanueva set a new section rushing record with 3,227 yards in 16 games last year as the Monarchs streaked to the Division V section championship, Southern California Division 6-A title and runner-up finish in the state bowl final.

On top again?
Last year’s Division II section championship contest was a rough and tumble game filled with bruising physic al activity. Just when it seemed the Crusaders made a bid to draw closer on the scoreboard, the Titans would hit big plays to move father ahead.

Mater Dei Catholic actually out-gained Poway 422-228 in total years but couldn’t contain senior Colin McCann and junior Luke Jorgensen, who each scored three touchdowns. McCann racked up 152 receiving yards while Jorgensen netted 133 rushing yards.

However it went down, the final 38-point deficit had to leave a sour taste in the mouths of the Metro-Mesa League champions.

The Crusaders finished the season 9-4, including 4-0 in league play, while late-blooming Poway finished 6-8 following a 0-5 start.

Top returners for Mater Dei Catholic include senior lineman Nick Edwards, senior defensive back/receiver Larell Parker, senior running back/outside linebacker/strong safety Jordan Dumaran, senior receiver/cornerback Jonathan Hawthorne, senior free safety/receiver Javon Jackson, senior quarterback/free safety Jacob Gonzales, junior receiver/free safety Noah Ellingson, senior defensive end/tight end/receiver Marcus McNeill II, senior running back/linebacker Noah Cook, senior free safety/receiver Mekhi Oluwa, junior middle linebacker/running back Diego Mendoza and senior defensive back/receiver Caron Scott.

Dumaran rushed for 572 yards and six touchdowns last season while Parker caught 44 passes for 861 yards and eight touchdowns. Mendoza had five touchdown catches while Dumaran supplemented his TD total with two touchdown catches.

Parker leads the returning group with 894 all-purpose yards from a season ago.

Cook topped MDC defenders with 103 tackles last season while Mendoza ranked third with 59 stops. Jackson had 58 tackles while Dumaran logged 46 stops.

Cook and Mendoza each had two sacks while Dumaran had three interceptions and Scott had two picks.

The MDC coach called Parker a “versatile and athletic two-way contributor” and Dumaran a “multi-role threat in backfield and special teams.”

The elder Cook called Jackson a “dual sport athlete who delivers in clutch moments,” McNeill a “versatile tight end with size for the edge,” Oluwa, a returning state track and field medalist, a “two-way athlete with ball-hawking skills” and Mendoza a “physical presence at linebacker and in the backfield.”

He has other choice words, calling Hawthorne a “reliable wideout with strong route-running,” Gonzales “poised under center with defensive versatility,” Ellingson an “emerging playmaker with high upside” and Scott a “versatile and athletic two-way contributor.”

Impact newcomers include junior lineman Maddox Faaive (6-3, 270), junior running back Bryce Collins-Howard, junior quarterback Jackson Munford (6-2, 186) and sophomore athlete Jasir Fontenot.

Munford, the MDC coach said, is an impressive young quarterback with a live arm and poise beyond his years, great size, touch, and leadership.

The elder Cook said Fontenot is a versatile athlete who can contribute on both sides of the ball. “He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and explosive in the return game, he plays with confidence and swagger.”

Bonita Vista finished 7-6 overall last year, 2-1 in league play.

The team’s top returners include senior fullback/linebacker Kenneth Watson, senior linebacker Aiden Cortes, senior free safety Alex Yepis, junior fullback/linebacker A.J. Cortes, junior halfback Nate Lindquist, senior quarterback Greyson Smith and senior guard Diego Mariscal.

Aiden Cortes and Yepis each earned all-league defensive honors while A.J. Cortes and Lindquist both received all-league offensive recognition.

Yepis (110) and Cortes (81) ranked first and second, respectively, in total tackles last season.

Smith appeared in 10 games last year with 606 passing yards and seven touchdowns.
Smith’s uncle is Helix alumnus Alex Smith, a 14-year NFL veteran who logged 35,650 passing yards, 199 touchdowns and was named the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Lindquist posted three receiving touchdowns and one rushing TD last season, ending third on the team with 426 all-purpose yards.

The losses to graduation of running back Kenny Jordan (1,129 all-purpose yards) and kicker Richie Rojas (eight field goals, 46 kicking points) are challenges to overcome.

 

 

Metro Conference 2025 Football Schedules

 

Metro-Mesa League

Chula Vista Spartans

August

22: Chula Vista vs. La Jolla Country Day at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.

29: Chula Vista at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

September

5: Chula Vista vs. El Capitan at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

12: Chula Vista at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

19: Chula Vista vs. Olympian at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

26: Chula Vista at Del Norte, 7 p.m.

October

3: Chula Vista at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

10: Bye

17: Chula Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

24: Chula Vista vs. Eastlake at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

31: Chula Vista vs. Otay Ranch at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

 

Eastlake Titans

August

22: Eastlake at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

29: Beckman at Eastlake, 7 p.m.

September

5: Olympian at Eastlake, 7 p.m.

12: Eastlake at St. Joseph (Santa Maria), 7 p.m.

19: Eastlake at Pt. Loma, 7 p.m.

26: Bye

October

3: Eastlake at Vista, 7 p.m.

10: Sweetwater at Eastlake (Homecoming), 5 p.m.

17: Eastlake at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.

24: Eastlake vs. Chula Vista at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

31: Mater Dei Catholic at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.

 

Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders

August

22: Mater Dei Catholic at Cathedral Catholic, 7 p.m.

29: Mater Dei Catholic at Granite Hills, 7 p.m.

September

5: Mater Dei Catholic at Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland), TBA

12: San Marcos at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.

19: St. Augustine at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.

26: Helix at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.

October

3: Chula Vista at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

10: Mater Dei Catholic at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.

17: Bye

24: Sweetwater at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

31:  Mater Dei Catholic at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.

 

Otay Ranch Mustangs

August

22: Otay Ranch at Rancho Buena Vista, 7 p.m.

29: Pt. Loma at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.

September

5: Otay Ranch at San Diego, 7 p.m.

12: Patrick Henry at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.

19: Grossmont at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.

26: Otay Ranch at Olympian, 7 p.m.

October

3: Otay Ranch at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

10: Mater Dei Catholic at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.

17: Eastlake at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.

24: Bye

31: Otay Ranch vs. Chula Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

 

Sweetwater Red Devils

August

22: Morse at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

29: Sweetwater at Rancho Buena Vista, 7 p.m.

September

5: Escondido at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.

12: Sweetwater at Madison, 6:30 p.m.

19: Sweetwater vs. Southwest at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

26: Palo Verde Valley at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.

October

3: Otay Ranch at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

10: Sweetwater at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.

17: Chula Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

24: Sweetwater at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

31: Bye

 

 

Metro-South Bay League

Bonita Vista Barons

August

22: Eastlake at Bonita Vista, 7 p.m.

29: Chula Vista at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

September

5: Bonita Vista at University City, 7 p.m.

12: Bonita Vista at El Capitan, 7 p.m.

19: Bonita Vista at Vincent Memorial, 7 p.m.

25: Crawford at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Mar Vista at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

17: Bonita Vista at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

24: Olympian at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

31: Bonita Vista vs. Montgomery at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

Hilltop Lancers

August

22: Coronado at Hilltop, 7 p.m.

29: Hilltop at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.

September

5: Santana at Hilltop, 7 p.m.

12: Chula Vista at Hilltop, 7 p.m.

19: Hilltop at Westview, 7 p.m.

26: Castle Park at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Hilltop vs. Southwest at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.

17: Bonita Vista at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

24: Hilltop vs. Montgomery at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.

31: Olympian at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

 

Montgomery Aztecs

August

22: Montgomery at San Diego, 7 p.m.

29: Montgomery at El Capitan, 7 p.m.

September

5: Montgomery vs. Patrick Henry at San Ysidro, 7 p.m.

12: Montgomery vs. Hoover at Olympian, 7 p.m.

18: Montgomery at Rancho Christian, 7 p.m.

26: Montgomery at Mission Bay, 7 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Montgomery at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

17: Montgomery at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

24: Montgomery vs. Hilltop at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m.

31: Montgomery vs. Bonita Vista at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

Olympian Eagles

August

22: Olympian at Clairemont, 6:30 p.m.

29: Vista at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

September

5: Olympian at Eastlake, 7 p.m.

12: Olympian at Santana, 7 p.m.

19: Olympian vs. Chula Vista at Hilltop, 7 p.m.

26: Olympian at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Castle Park at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

17: Montgomery at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

24: Olympian at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

31: Olympian at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

 

Metro-Pacific League

Castle Park Trojans

August

22: Castle Park vs. Victory Christian Academy at Olympian, TBA

29: Castle Park at Army-Navy Academy, 7 p.m.

September

5: Castle Park vs. Monte Vista at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.

12: Castle Park at Rock Academy, 7 p.m.

19: Castle Park at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.

26: Castle Park at Hilltop, 6:30 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Castle Park at Olympian, 6:30 p.m.

17: Castle Park at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

24: Castle Park vs. Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

31: Castle Park vs. Southwest at Otay Ranch, 6 p.m.

 

Mar Vista Mariners

August

22: Mar Vista at El Cajon Valley, 7 p.m.

29: Mar Vista vs. Victory Christian Academy at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

September

5: Mar Vista vs. Calipatria at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

12: Mar Vista vs. Racho Buena Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

19: Mar Vista at San Diego, 7 p.m.

26: Mar Vista at Coronado, 7 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Mar Vista at Bonita Vista, 6:30 p.m.

17: Mar Vista vs. Southwest at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

24: Mar Vista vs. Castle Park at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

31:  Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 6: 30 p.m.

 

San Ysidro Cougars

August

22: Calexico at San Ysidro, 7 p.m.

29: Clairemont at San Ysidro, 7 p.m.

September

5: San Ysidro at Crawford, 6:30 p.m.

12: Mountain Empire at San Ysidro, 7 p.m.

19: San Ysidro at Hoover, 6:30 p.m.

26: San Ysidro at Southwest-El Centro, 7 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Montgomery at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

17: Castle Park at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

24: Southwest at San Ysidro (homecoming), 6:30 p.m.

31: Mar Vista at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

 

Southwest Raiders

August

22: Southwest vs. Hoover at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.

29: Southwest vs. Bettye Davis East Anchorage (Alaska) at Hilltop 6:30 p.m.

September

5: Southwest at Clairemont, 6:30 p.m.

12: Southwest at Tri-City Christian, 7 p.m.

19: Southwest vs. Sweetwater at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

26: Southwest vs. Kearny at San Ysidro, 6:30 p.m.

October

3: Bye

10: Southwest vs. Hilltop at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.

17: Southwest vs. Mar Vista at Mater Dei Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

24: Southwest vs. San Ysidro at Otay Ranch (homecoming), 6:30 p.m.

31: Southwest vs. Castle Park at Otay Ranch, 6:30 p.m.

 

Sunset League

Victory Christian Academy

August

22: Victory Christian Academy vs. Castle Park at Olympian, TBA

29: Victory Christian Academy vs. Mar Vista at Sweetwater, 6:30 p.m.

September

5: Bye

12: Victory Christian Academy at Foothills Christian, TBA

19: Coastal Academy at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.

26: Victory Christian Academy at Mountain Empire, TBA

October

3: Rock Academy at Victory Christian Academy (homecoming), 7 p.m.

10: Victory Christian Academy at Maranatha Christian, 7 p.m.

17: Tri-City Christian at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.

24: Orange Glen at Victory Christian Academy, 7 p.m.

31: O’Farrell Charter at Victory Christian Academy (senior night), 7 p.m.