Sweetwater Red Devils get the jump on foes with 31-0 win over Morse

The Sweetwater Red Devils got the jump on the rest of their Metro Conference rivals with a Thursday game on Aug. 21 against the visiting Morse Tigers.

The Red Devils started out fast with a 10-0 first-quarter lead and eventually expanded that into a robust 31-0 non-league victory.

“I felt we played a clean game in all three phases — offense, defense and special teams,” Sweetwater coach Brandon Burris said. “I found that to be impressive, especially in Week 1. Also, I felt we tackled really well, which was key playing against a team with speed like Morse.”

The Tigers were indeed fast, especially out of the backfield, but so was SuHi junior Abdul Osman, who had four four pass receptions for 152 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown catch and run down the sideline in the third quarter to push the hosts ahead 24-0.

Sweewater generally controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game, especially in the first half.

The Devils took a 3-0 lead on a 35-yard field goal by senior Anthony Peralta with 8:23 remaining in the opening quarter. Senior Chris Corpus (nine carries, 24 yards) scored on a three-yard run with 44.5 seconds left in the quarter to stake the National City team to a 10-0 lead.

Senior Zane Willis proved to be the man for the visitors to stop, but they couldn’t as he rambled for 114 yards on 14 carries, breaking off a 52-yard scamper at one point.
Willis scored on a three-yard run with 7:23 to play in the first half for a 17-0 lead.

Here come the Red Devils!
Photos by Phillip Brents

The hosts did all the scoring in the second half. Senior Jonathan Figueroa connected with Osman with 7:01 left in the third quarter and Corpus scored his second touchdown of the game before the quarter was over.

Figueroa completed eight of 12 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown to help kick off the season. On a positive note. Sweetwater totaled 284 yards in total offense, 166 yards on the ground.

Senior Sean Carlos keyed the victors with 12 tackles. The Red Devils defense recorded three sacks — one each by seniors Juan Alvarez, Omar Palomares and Gabriel Castaneda — and interceptions by junior Josh Roman and Peralta.

Sophomore Cordell Hunter punted once in the game for 55 yards.

Sweetwater cannot sit on a one-game performance as it travels to Vista on Friday to take on the Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns (0-1). RBV is smartly from a 36-7 whipping by the visiting Otay Ranch Mustangs last week.

Otay Ranch, Mar Vista collect inspired wins in season openers

Senior A.J. Lopez passed for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead the visiting Otay Ranch Mustangs to a 37-6 non-league win at Rancho Buena Vista to hand new head coach Howard Bannister III his first win in the Otay Ranch saddle.

“I was very proud of our players.” Bannister said. “It’s been a lot to learn since January and, truthfully, with 44 seniors graduating last year I didn’t know what to expect. The kids have just bought in since Day 1 and it showed Friday.”

Lopez led the Mustangs with 130 total yards by adding 22 rushing yards on nine carries to go with 108 passing yards.

Junior Jaidon Castillo measured up next with 67 total yards, including 51 rushing yards and a 16-yard touchdown catch.

The visitors rushed for 136 yards. Senior Darius Hawkins had 53 yards with one score.
Senior Sean Zabayle had two catches for 55 yards and one touchdown while senior Xander Mendez had two catches for 25 yards and one TD.

Senior linebacker David Smith led Otay Ranch with 10 tackles, including three for losses, and a safety. Senior Joshua Visser had two sacks.

Junior Jordan Epps was successful on five extra-point attempts.

Otay Ranch hosts Point Loma (1-0) on Friday. The Pointers defeated host Del Norte, 42-24, in their season opener.

Mar Vista 27, ECV 17
The Mariners rewarded new head coach Sergio Villalva with a dramatic win last Friday with a 27-17 non-league decision over the host El Cajon Valley Braves.

Senior Ciontae Fewell keyed the offense for Mar Vista with three receptions for 79 yards, including a 60-yard catch and two touchdowns — one of them coming in the fourth quarter to give Imperial Beach visitors the lead for good.

Sophomore quarterback Holden Bell had an efficient night, going six-of-nine for 97 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score to Fewell. Sophomore Braylon Shumate, who drew double coverage all evening, still made his presence felt with three receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown on an option play.

But the night truly belonged to sophomore Luke Everett, who dominated on both sides of the ball. Everett racked up 18 tackles (10 unassisted), including two key fourth-and-one stops that turned the ball over on downs. On offense, he added six carries for 108 yards and one TD. He also stepped in as a substitute kicker, hitting three extra-point conversions, and handled punting duties with four punts averaging 49.3 yards.

“It was an all-around performance that showcased Everett’s versatility and toughness — he was the difference-maker in securing the victory,” Villalva said.

Mar Vista will host its homecoming game this Friday at Sweetwater High School against Victory Christian Academy, 6:30 p.m.

Castle Park 20, VCA 14
The Castle Park Trojans remain on the road for another season and it may not be so bad after starting the new season 1-0 with a 20-14 non-league win over Victory Christian Academy last Friday at Olympian High School.

Junior quarterback Evan Lopez led the team by going nine-for-11 with 96 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Senior running back Yiheng Hu led the team in rushing with 16 carries for 69 yards and one touchdown.

Castle Park built a 20-6 lead before the Knights narrowed the score with eight fourth-quarter points.

“The defense held the opponent the last six minutes to help secure the win,” CPHS coach Airrien Smith said.

VCA senior Austin Dill passed for 154 yards with one touchdown and one interception while senior Gabriel Aguirre rushed 12 times for 106 yards and one touchdown. Senior Max Gardner had five catches for 53 yards, including one TD, while senior Ben Cordova had two catches for 47 yards. Aguirre also had 36 rushing yards for 142 total yards.

Dill led the Knights with 190 total yards.

Senior Micah Gerdes keyed Victory Christian with 11 tackles while senior Alejandro Rodriguez made 10 defensive stops. Senior Nathan Garcia had one sack while Aguirre crossed over with one pick.

Olympian 36, Clairemont 7
New Olympian High School head coach Lew Barnes didn’t have to wait too long for his first win with the Eagles after last Friday’s 36-7 thrashing of the host Clairemont Chieftains. Senior quarterback Jayden Fuentes passed for 237 yards and one touchdown while junior Jonah Zamora rushed for 41 yards and scored twice.

Olympian scored five total touchdowns — three rushing and two passing.
Senior Eisuke Simmons threw a 14-yard TD pass. Senior Mikey Talavera had three catches for 66 yards while junior Walter Ignacio had one catch for 19 yards and another touchdown. Senior Jorgani Estrada led the receivers with 101 yards on four catches.

Junior Devin Fuller (six carries, 36) rounded out the win with one rushing touchdown.
Seniors Patricio Flatts and Estrada each had one interception on defense. Simmons also tacked on four extra-point conversions.

LJCD 30, Chula Vista 21
The host Spartans, playing at Eastlake High School, racked up 213 rushing yards and three touchdowns but it wasn’t enough to overcome 337 total yards by the Torreys.

Junior Elijah Richardson rushed for 71 yards and two touchdowns while senior Isaiah Heard led the team with 119 yards and scored one touchdown.

Senior Darrion Frisson keyed the Spartans with eight tackles while seniors Ben Rivera and Julio Andrade each recorded one sack. Seniors Julian Martinez and Daniel Marquez each had one interception on defense.

Junior Keenan Ward (11 carries, 169 yards) led LJCD with four rushing touchdowns.

Quick hits
Samuel Gonzalez had 11 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Leonel Rivera added a 24-yard touchdown in Southwest’s 40-19 non-league loss to Hoover.

San Diego Section Football Rankings

1. Lincoln, 2. Cathedral Catholic, 3. La Costa Canyon, 4. Carlsbad, 5. Granite Hills, 6. Mission Hills, 7. El Camino, 8. Mater Dei Catholic, 9. Helix, 10. Torrey Pines, 11. Poway, 12, San Marcos, 13. Rancho Bernardo, 14. Point Loma, 15. Madison, 16. St. Augustine, 17. Mt. Miguel, 18, University City, 19. Oceanside, 20. Del Norte, 21. Central Union, 22. Bishop’s, 23. Santa Fe Christian, 24. La Jolla, 25. Christian.

Others: 31. Eastlake, 43. Otay Ranch, 44. Chula Vista, 51. Montgomery, 53. Sweetwater, 54. Bonita Vista, 57. Olympian, 70. Hilltop, 71. Mar Vista