CIF football playoffs deliver their share of upsets

The San Diego Section tackle football playoffs have kicked off. Games in five of the eight divisions got under way last Friday. 

There were six upsets of lower-seeded teams defeating higher-seeded teams to spice up the action.

A total of nine South County teams qualified for this year’s playoff field. Eight were in action last Friday — three came out victorious.

Including teams with opening-round byes, four local teams are still in the hunt for division championships.

In games this Friday, third-seeded Otay Ranch (5-5) will host No. 11 Brawley (5-6) in a division IV quarterfinal matchup The winner advances to the division semifinals.

Also on tap on Friday are three other games:

No. 5 Mater Dei Catholic (5-6) will travel to No. 4 Point Loma (7-3) for a Division II quarterfinal contest. No. 12 Olympian (4-7) will play at No. 4 La Jolla Country Day (6-5) in a Division V quarterfinal and No. 7 Chula Vista (5-6) will play at No. 2 Hoover (8-3) in another Division V quarterfinal clash.

The Division II championship game is Nov. 28 at Escondido High School at 7:30 p.m.

The Division IV championship game is Nov. 27 at Escondido High School at 3 p.m.

The Division V championship game is Nov. 28 at Escondido High School at noon.

Teams ending their seasons last Friday included No. 6 Eastlake (9-2) in the Division III opening round, No. 5 Bonita Vista (6-5) in the Division V opening round, No. 9 Southwest (7-4) in the Division V opening round, No. 11 Hilltop (5-6) in the Division V opening round and No. 14 Mar Vista (6-5) in the Division V opening round. 

Of the six Metro teams in the Division V opening round, only two made it out.

 Moving on
Otay Ranch was idle last week after finishing 2-2 in Metro-Mesa League play. Top performers include sophomore quarterback Caleb Delaughter (2,053 passing yards, 16 touchdowns), senior Jaidon Castillo (518 rushing yards, eight TD), senior receivers Brayden Hyman (745 yards, seven TD) and Carlos Lopez (622 yards, eight TD), senior Luke Chilers (92 tackles) and sophomore Jeremiah Jordan (81 tackles, 11 for losses). 

Meanwhile, Mater Dei Catholic’s 56-7 opening-round win over No. 12 Mt.  Miguel was its fifth consecutive after a 0-6 start.

“Offensively, we did a great job establishing the running game, finishing with 247 rushing yards and averaging 8.8 yards per carry,” Crusaders head coach Rashard Cook said. “We spread the ball around and had multiple players contribute. Jayden Blondin was efficient, completing all seven of his passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns while adding 83 rushing yards. Qasim Williams also had a strong performance with 70 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

“Our offensive line deserves recognition for helping establish the running game. We also did a good job protecting the football, finishing without a turnover.

“Defensively, we held Mount Miguel to just 39 rushing yards and seven points. We also forced three interceptions, including a pick-six by A.J. Wilson. That’s the type of defensive production we need to continue building on.

“A few things that stood out to me:

•We controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

•We were efficient offensively and finished drives.

•We protected the football and won the turnover battle.

•Our defense created turnovers and scoring opportunities.

•Multiple players contributed, which is encouraging for our depth and development.

“Overall, I was pleased with our execution and the contributions across the team. However, we can’t allow the final score to hide areas where we still need to improve.

“As we prepare for Point Loma, we need to build on what we did well while continuing to emphasize fundamentals, discipline, communication and consistent effort.”

Bonita Vista opened with fire and a 7-0 lead but Olympian responded with 21 unanswered points to lead by two touchdowns. Then it was the Barons’ turn to regain the momentum with consecutive scores to trim the score to 28-21. 

Junior Isaiah Mena logged 324 total yards for the victorious Eagles (139 rushing, 185 passing) while senior Walter Ignacio and junior Aiddien Smith each collected 101 all-purpose yards.

Ignacio had two touchdowns.

BV senior Cole Margetts had one rushing and one receiving score.

Chula Vista out-lasted 10th-seeded Classical Academy, 35-33, to advance.

“I thought we ran the ball with great efficiency and did a good job staying ahead of the chains all night, which allowed us to hit some timely passes when we needed them,” CVHS head coach Jimmy Clark III said. “Our offense was balanced and productive and that helped us control the tempo of the game.”

Senior Gabriel Ruiz had a “tremendous night,” according to Clark, with 109 rushing yards, two touchdowns and a touchdown reception. Junior Jaidyn Davies contributed 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns of his own, while senior Jaylen Clark made several big plays in the passing game with five catches for 114 yards. 

“We were able to capitalize on opportunities when they presented themselves,” Clark reiterated. “Isaiah Orta (junior quarterback) went 8-for-12 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown.

“Credit to Coastal (3-7) for continuing to fight,” Clark continued. “Some late penalties on our part, along with a couple of big passing plays by them, kept the game closer than we would have liked.

“Defensively, Jaylen Clark and Anthony White each came up with interceptions. One of the biggest plays of the game may have been Alfred Francis’ blocked PAT in the third quarter. That proved critical because Coastal ultimately needed a two-point conversion late in the game to tie, and they couldn’t convert.”

As for the first playoff win on the school’s new field, it was definitely “special,” according to the Spartan gridiron boss.

“We’re proud of our players, coaches, students and community,” Clark said. “The atmosphere was great and our kids and coaches will remember it for a long time.”

San Diego Section Football Playoffs

TACKLE FOOTBALL

Friday, Nov. 6

Division II

First Round

(8) Holtville 32, (9) Ramona 31

(5) Mater Dei Catholic 56, (12) Mount Miguel 7

(6) El Camino 29, (11) Grossmont 26

(10) Patrick Henry 38, (7) Imperial 31

Byes: (1) Poway, (2) Del Norte, (3) St. Augustine, (4) Point Loma

Division III

First Round

(9) Valhalla 18, (8) Christian 13

(5) La Jolla 31, (12) Central Union 14

(11) Scripps Ranch 31, (6) Eastlake 17

(10) Mira Mesa 29, (7) Madison 0

Byes: (1) Steele Canyon, (2) San Diego, (3) San Pasqual, (4) University City

Division IV

First Round

(8) El Capitan 42, (9) Santana 7

(5) Mission Bay 49, (12) Army-Navy 0

(11) Brawley 14, (6) Westview 7

(7) West Hills 24, (10) RBV 14

Byes: (1) Valley Center, (2) Maranatha Christian, (3) Otay Ranch, (4) Bishop’s

Division V

First Round

(1) Morse 63, (16) Monte Vista 44

(8) Coronado 17, (9) Southwest 10

(4) La Jolla Country Day 22, (13) Classical Academy 13

(12) Olympian 28, (5) Bonita Vista 21

(6) Mt. Carmel 17, (11) Hilltop 13

(3) Fallbrook 42, (14) Mar Vista 22

(7) Chula Vista 35, (10) Coastal Academy 33

(2) Hoover 35, (15) Canyon Hills 13

Division V-AA

Quarterfinals

(1) Escondido Charter 49, (8) Foothills Christian 14

(4) Mountain Empire 55, (5) Clairemont 28

(3) Vincent Memorial 43, (6) O’Farrell Charter 0

(2) Palo Verde Valley 30, (7) Calipatria 0

GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

Championship Games 

Saturday, Nov. 7,   Olympian High School

Open Division

(4) Torrey Pines 13, (3) Helix 0

Semifinals: (3) Helix 21, (7) Classical Academy 20; (4) Torrey Pines 27, (8) Carlsbad 18;

Quarterfinals: (8) Carlsbad 34, (1) San Marcos 7; (7) Classical Academy 25, (2) Bonita Vista 20; (3) Helix 12, (6) Mission Hills 6; (4) Torrey Pines 19, (5) Mira Mesa 7

Division I

(1) Cathedral Catholic 14, (2) Scripps Ranch 13

Semifinals: (1) Cathedral Catholic 26, (4) Granite Hills 12; (2) Scripps Ranch 20, (3) La Cota Canyon 18

Quarterfinals: (1) Cathedral Catholic 34, (8) Ramona 0; (2) Scripps Ranch 20, (7) Mt Carmel 7; (3) La Costa Canyon 26, (6) Mater Dei Catholic 21; (4) Granite Hills 20, (5) Point Loma 19

Division II

(12) Vincent Memorial 38, (3) Escondido Charter 12

Semifinals:(3) Escondido Charter 12, (23) Powy 6; (12) Vincent Memorial 32, (1) Mission Bay 6

Quarterfinals: (9) Mission Bay 39, (1) Morse 6; (3) Poway 13, (2) Grossmont  7; (3) Esconcico Charter 38, (11) Valley Center 8; (12) Vincent Memorial 32, (4) Our Lady of Peace 6

Division III

(3) Santa Fe Christian 20, (1) Patrick Henry 6

Semifinals: (1) Patrick Henry 21, (5) O’Farrell Charter 6; (3) Santa Fe Christian 14, (2) Westview 2

Quarterfinals: (1) Patrick Henry 43, (8) Holtville 26; (2) Westview 16, (7) Southwest El Centro 12; (3) Santa Fe Christian 19, (11) Clairemont 2; (5) O’Farrell Charter 20, (4) San Pasqual 19

Division IV

(6) Imperial 31, (12) Oceanside 0

Semifinals: (6) Imperial 45, (2) El Capitan 19; (12) Oceanside 20, (8) Santana 18

Quarterfinals: (2) El Capitan 33, (10) Rancho Bernardo 20; (6) Imperial 47, (3) Otay Ranch 0; (8) Santana 20, (1) Rancho Buena Vista 19; (12) Oceanside 20, (4) Liberty Charter 0

That championship feeling!

Members of the Torrey Pines High School girls flag football celebrate their Open Division title Saturday at Olympian High School. Photo/Jon Bigornia