Prep Kickoff 2026

Re-tooling Crusaders rank as Metro’s best

The Metro Conference has adjusted its three league football format, and it’s already being well received by coaches, especially in decidedly new-look Metro-South Bay League.

Both the Metro-Mesa League and Metro-South Bay League received overdue tweaks for the upcoming 2026 season. Olympian and Montgomery high schools vacate the Metro-South Bay League for the Metro-Mesa League while Chula Vista and Sweetwater switch to the Metro-South Bay League.

The Metro-Mesa League now includes Mater Dei Catholic, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Olympian and Montgomery high schools. Mater Dei Catholic is the returning league champion. All five teams qualified for last year’s section playoffs: Mater Dei Catholic (Division I), Montgomery (Division III), Olympian (Division III), Otay Ranch (Division III) and Eastake (Division IV).

Eastlake made it as far as the division championship game while recording a runner-up finish, 21-14, to the third-seeded Valley Center Jaguars. The Titans, seeded fifth, upset top-seeded Westview, 21-17, in the semifinals.

The other four teams failed to advance past the opening round.

The Metro-South Bay League now includes Bonita Vista, Chula Vista, Hilltop and Sweetwater. It’s a tight geographic fit filled with longstanding rivalries and promises a level competition level that should be dynamite.

Al four teams qualified for last year’s playoffs — Hilltop in Division IV and Bonita Vista, Chula Vista and Sweetwater in Division V. Hilltop (28-7 over Coastal Academy) and Chula Vista (44-16 over Mar Vista) both won first-round contests.

Hilltop defeated Olympian in somewhat of a shocker to win last year’s league title and will be out to defend its title this season. 

The Metro-Pacific League remains balanced: Mar Vista returns as the league champion after a hard-fought duel against Southwest. San Ysidro and Castle Park also return.

On a Crusade
Mater Dei Catholic finished 4-0 in league play in 2025 and posted a 7-4 overall record following a 41-7 loss to fifth-seeded Point Loma in the opening round of the playoffs. Contrast that with the 2024 season in which the Crusaders finished 4-0 in the Metro-Mesa League and 9-4 overall and the 2022 season in which Mater Dei Catholic won the Metro-League with a 3-0 record and didn’t stop until finally ending with an 11-game winning streak, 11-4 overall mark and state bowl championship.

The Crusaders defeated Mission Hills to win the 2022 CIF banner.

Mater Dei Catholic won back-to-back state bowl championships in 2021 and 2022, the first Metro Conference team to do so.

There’s a lot of football history at the school, which began its history as Marian High School near Imperial Beach.

Mater Dei Catholic owns another challenging non-league schedule this season. They kick off the season with an Aug. 21 home game against Del Norte, host four-time CIF champion Granite Hills on Aug. 28 and follow that with a matchup against Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd. 

Mater Dei Catholic reels off three consecutive games against longtime section powers Cathedral Catholic (Sept. 11), Helix Charter (Sept. 180 and St. Augustine (Sept. 25).

Cathedral Catholic is the defending Open Division champion.

The Crusaders, 16-8 overall over the past two seasons under head coach Rashard Cook with back-to-back league championships in tow, look to be going for a third straight title under Cook’s tutelage.

At No. 15 in the San Diego Section preseason rankings (out of 87 teams), they are the Metro Conference’s top-ranked team.

The Crusaders finished 7-4 last season with a berth in the Division I section playoffs in what would be considered a “down” season by program standards. Mater Dei Catholic finished runner-up in the Division II section final in 2024 after winning back-to-back state bowl championships in 2021 and 2022.

MDC gridiron boss Rashard Cook believes the 2006 Crusaders return one of the youngest yet most talented rosters in the San Diego Section.

 “After winning consecutive Metro-Mesa League championships, expectations remain high despite graduating an outstanding senior class,” Cook said. “Our strengths being up front with an experienced  offensive and defensive line led by David Munoz, Andres Suarez, Max Dooley, Paula Latu and Maddox Faaivae. 

“Brayden Phanco or Jayden Blondin will take over a quarterback after gaining valuable experience while Bryce Collins-Howard, Xavier Vitale and Qasim Williams give us explosive play-makers in the backfield.”

Defensively, speed and athleticism remain the team’s identity, Cook said.

“Diego Mendoza and Warren Florence lead a fast-playmaking secondary along with Jordyn Fitzpatrick and E.J. West at cornerback. Visi Nava, Tyray Ragland and Joey Rodriguez headline an improving linebacker corps.”

Cook said special teams should once again be among the best in Southern California with national-ranked kicker Luis Heraldez.

“The biggest challenge will be replacing veteran leadership from last year’s graduating class, but we believe this group has embraced the culture and is prepared to compete for another championship,” Cook said.

With 13 returning starters on board, the results will obviously speak for themselves.

Top returning players include Collins-Howard, Mendoza, Nava, Latu and offensive-defensive lineman Marcos Serrano, all juniors, along with seniors Reynan Siababa (running back/linebacker) and Faaivae.

Latu, Faaivae and Mendoza are all returning all-league selections.

Blondin  passed for 441yards with three touchdowns and one interception as a freshman while Vitela rushed for 208 yards and two scores. Mendoza logged 481 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Gone are quarterback Jackons Munford (1,173 yards, 13 TD) and running back Jordan Dumaran (1,041 yards, 11 TD). Munford transferred to Westview while Dumaran graduated.

Cook will be looking for players to step up.

Top newcomers include sophomores Adrian Wilson (running back/defensive back), Erick West Jr. (athlete), Ragland (linebacker), River Contreras (receiver/defensive back) ad Nate Orozco (linebacker), along with Williams, a junior transfer from Montgomery, and Fitzpatrick, a senior transfer from Cathedral Catholic.

College prospects include Collins-Howard, Florence, Faaivae, Mendoza and Fitzpatrick.

The Crusaders’ league schedule includes Eastlake (Oct. 2), Otay Ranch (Oct. 9), Olympian (Oct. 16) and Montgomery (Oct. 23).

Olympian and Montgomery come over from the Metro-South Bay League to fill the gap left by Chula Vista and Sweetwater, which move back to the Metro-South Bay League.

Is Mater Dei Catholic a shoo-in for this year’s league title? Olympian (No. 38), Eastlake (No. 39), Montgomery (No. 44) and Otay Ranch (No. 46) are all ranked well behind the Crusaders.

However, the oblong shape of the football can always take an odd bounce.

South County 2026 Football Alignment

Metro-Mesa League
Eastlake Titans
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
Montgomery Aztecs
Olympian Eagles
Otay Ranch Mustangs

Metro-South Bay League
Bonita Vista Barons
Chula Vista Spartans
Hilltop Lancers
Sweetwater Red Devils

Metro-Pacific League
Castle Park Trojans
Mar Vista Mariners
San Ysidro Cougars
Southwest Raiders

Sunset League
Foothills Christian Knights
Maranatha Christian Eagles
O’Farrell Charter Falcons
Rock Academy Warriors
Tri-City Christian Eagles
Victory Christian Academy Knights

Hilltop Lancers return to defend Metro-South Bay League title

The Hilltop Lancers emerged as 2025 Metro-South Bay League champions with a do-or-die win over the Olympian Eagles in the last game of the regular season to capture their first league title since  2019.

The Lancers had been close in the past but finally got the proverbial monkey off thieir back.

Can Hilltop do it again?

It will be a slightly different league lineup if so.

The Lancers recorded league wins against Bonita Vista, Montgomery and Olympian last season. Olympian and Montgomery are now in the Metro-Mesa League. Chula Vista and Sweetwater are new league opponents this season.

Hilltop defeated Chula Vista in last year’s Kiwanis Bowl matchup but did not meet Sweetwater in non-league play.

Top returners include senior running back Lajuan Johnson, junior free safety Tre Nichols III, junior receiver/defensive back Seven Tarkington, senior linebackers Abraham Matuz and Zion Almazon, junior defensive end Dante Hernandez, junior offensive/defensive linemen Jacob Orona and Roberto Izqueirdo and junior linebacker Zachary Humphrey.

All-league selections included Johnson, Nichols,Matuz, Almazon and Izquierdo.

Johnson rushed for 733 yards and scored seven touchdowns lastr season while Matuz was a terror on defense with 77 tackles, including 23 stops for losses and seven sacks. Almazon had 60 tackles, — 21 for losses and 10 sacks.

Impact newcomers include senior receiver/defensive back Victor Ruiz, senior quarterback Octavio Bonilla, junior receiver/defensive back Braylon Gonzalez and junior running back/linebacker Max Vaquero.

Hilltop defeated Coastal Academy, 28-7, in the opening round of the Division IV playoffs before running into top-seeded Westview in the quarterfinals, ending the season with a 45-28 loss to the Wolverines.

The Lancers had previously lost 32-21 to Westview in the regular season.

“A lot of returners on the defense,” head coach Bryan Wagner assessed of the 2026 team. “Quick and strong defensive line and good experience in the secondary. 

“We need to replace half of the offensive line due to graduating seniors. 

“Skilled positions are solid but need to find a ‘go to’ wide receiver. Looking to replace the quarterback and bolster the RB positions.

“Our goals are to compete for the league title again and make a run to get to the CIF finals.”

New stadium, new league on tap for CV Spartans

The Chula Vista Spartans embarked on what was expected to be a two-year road odyssey while new stadium construction is completed on campus.

The Spartans completed the first year away from home with a 3-9 overall season record, 1-3 in Metro-Mesa League play. 

Chula Vista advanced to the second round of the Division V playoffs as the No. 5 seed with a 44-16 win over Metro-Pacific League champion Mar Vista and a 23-12 loss at fourth-seeded Canyon Hills.

The season was worth a moral victory considering the obstacles in place.

Chula Vista head coach Jimmy Clark III feels his team will be prepared to handle adversity this season.

“Coming off back-to-back years with postseason experience, the returning core understands how to prepare for and execute in late-season, high-stakes games,” he said. “We relied heavily on low-scoring, grinding games late in the season (16-9 win over Eastlake and 3-0 loss to Otay Ranch). That physical-at-the-line identity remains a hallmark of our team. When the offensive line jelled, we consistently created a push in the run game, demonstrated by multi-hundred-yard rushing totals in our marquee wins against Eastlake and Mar Vista.”

Top returners include senior running back/linebacker Elijah Richardson, senior receiver/defensive back Jaylen Clark, senior athlete Gabriel Ruiz, senior offensive/defensive lineman Manny Miranda, senoir offensive lineman/linebacker Edwin Hernandez, senior receiver/defensive back Myshawn Mitchell, senior offensive/defensive lineman Nathan Cole, junior tight end/defensive lineman Cesar Ceja and junior offensive/defensive lineman Gael Camacho,

Richardson and Clark both earned First Team all-league defensive honors.

Richardson rushed for 634 yards and scored eight touchdowns last season. He also logged 59 tackles on defense with nine tackles for losses, one fumble recovery and two blocked field goals. Ruiz rushed for 318 yards and two touchdowns and tacked on 250 receiving yards.

Clark logged 57 tackles, two tackles for losses with one interception and one fumble recovery.

Impact newcomers include junior tight end/linebacker Diego Luque and junior quarterback Isaiah Orta, sophomore offensive/defensive lineman Adrian Vidaca, sophomore running back/defensive back Asher Richardson, sophomore receivers/defensive backs Angel Gaytan and Alex Noriega and sophomore receiver/safety MyKing Mitchell.

Ceja had three fumble recoveries.

The CVHS coach said it will take a complete team effort to find success, perhaps more than last season.

“Like many mid-sized programs, several starters played significant snaps on both offense and defense,” Clark said. “Replacing that snap volume and conditioning will require younger players to step into larger roles immediately. Finding a balanced, explosive passing attack to complement the rushing attack will be critical this season. Drives during losses frequently stall due to penalties or costly turnovers. Streamlining execution early in games will be a primary focus this season.”

Spartan fans may not have to wait long for the unveiling of the school’s new stadium.

Chula Vista is scheduled to play its season opener at West Hills on Aug. 21 and will play El Capitan at Montgomery High School in Week 2 (Aug. 28) and match up against Patrick Henry in Week 3 at Bonita Vista High School (Sept. 4).

The team’s home opener is tentatively scheduled Sept. 11 against Santana. 

There could be a lot of cheering in the stands as the Spartans unveil their new league for 2026.

Several schools have pushed for geographic realignment and the San Diego Section power rankings seem to have finally agreed.

Chula Vista, Hilltop, Sweetwater and Bonita Vista will comprise the new-look Metro-South Bay League. 

Olympian and Montgomery move to the Metro-Mesa League to replace Chula Vista and Sweetwater.

Clark likes the new league format.

“We love the new league and think it is wide open for any team to win,” he said “Four historic South Bay schools battling for a league title is a great thing!”

Olympian Eagles gaining momentum for 2026 season

The Olympian High School football team roared out of the gate last year with a 5-0 start under a new coaching staff. The Eagles finished 8-3 overall with a runner-up finish in the Metro-South Bay League standings and a 40-21 loss to Patrick Henry in the opening round of the San Diego Section Division III playoffs.

Head coach Lew Barnes is hoping for an another productive finish in the team’s move to the Metro-Mesa League this season.

“Heading into our second season with an outstanding coaching staff and a great group of returners, JV players and transfers, we will be improved,” Barnes said. “We expect to be competitive, showing improvement in special teams, defense and offense.”

Top returners include seniors Julian Devera, Ian Burke, Jeremiah Delgado, Walter Ignacio, Josiah Rivera, Jordan Sandoval and Giovanni Ware.

Ignacio rushed for 327 yards and scored seven touchdowns last season while Ware had 12 catches for 363 yards (30.3 average) and three TD. Ignacio also had five receiving touchdowns.

On defense, Rivera logged 112 tackles, including seven for losses, eight sacks and one fumble recovery.

Impact newcomers include juniors Connor Bibel, Kellen Fish, Gael Gonzales, Kross Harrison, Isaiah Mena, Ethan O’Dell, Jace Reimer, Aiddien Smith, sophomores Clifford Brooks, Zion Crayton and Ethan Rivera and senior Noah Ellingson.

Transfers include Mena (Montgomery), Smith (Castle Park), Brooks, Crayton, Rivera and Ellingson (Mater Dei Catholic).

Mena passed for 2,975 yards and 25 touchdowns the past two seasons for the Aztecs while Smith earned the nickname “Dynasty” with the Trojans.

Brooks is an incoming freshman receiiver while Rivera is a highly ranked receiver.

The Eagles kick off the season with an Aug. 21 home date against University City (6:30 p.m. kickoff).

Quick Hits

Eastlake Titans

The Titans finished 2025 with a runner-up nod in the Division IV championship game to notch a 7-7 campaign, up from 5-7 the previous season and 4-7 in 2023. Six all-league picks are among 15 returning starters, led by senior running back/linebacker David Branco (735 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns) with a team-leading137 tackles on defense, including 12 for losses. Senior Santi Aleta had four TD catches last year. Seniors Jovan Ceja (seven sacks) and C.J. Wilson (five picks) return to buttress the defense.

Otay Ranch Mustangs

Senior Jaidon Catillo leads the running game after rushing for 674 yards and five TD last season while also grabbing two receiving scores. Seniors Aaron Pena (61 tackles) and Trey James (two picks) support the defense.

Sweetwater Red Devils
A head coaching change followed last season. Abdul Osman remains a speedy threat among the SuHi receiving corps after nabbing 44 passes for 609 yards and seven touchdowns last year

Southwest Raiders
The Raiders lost a heart-breaker to Mar Vista in last year’s Metro-Pacific League championship game. Isaac Munoz, the MPL Player of the year on defense leads five first team all-league returners to do battle in 2026. Joingng him are seniors Leo Holguiin (receiver/defensive back), Dylan Garcia (linebacker/running back), Adrian Alfaro (offensive/defensive lineman) and Samuel Gonzales (running back).

Also returning are junior running back/linebacker Joseph Ellis, senior offensive lineman Alan Acosta and junior offensive lineman Junior Salas.

Defensive back Marco Armenta is the impact newcomer.

“The team goal is to win league and make the playoffs,” sixth-year head coach Domonic Cruz said. “Expectations are that our seniors lead us through the challenges of the season and learn to play with the next-man up attitude. This season is going to be an ultimate test of our culture of teaching the guys to be leaders and change the perception of Southwest football.”

The Raiders kick off the season Friday at Hoover and host Army-Navy Academy on Aug. 28 and folow with two more home games — Clairemont on Sept. 4 and Morse on Sept. 11.

It’s a re-set for Barons to kick off new season

The Bonita Vista Barons posted a meteoric runner-up finish in the 2024 San Diego Section Division V championship game. Last season’s 3-8 record was good for a first-round playoff exit via an excruciating 11-10 loss at Santana.

As a result, it’s a re-set in 2026 for the program for new head coach Diante Lee, who arrives with a new staff from Mt. Carmel High School.

“First-year head coach with a mostly new staff,” Lee assessed frankly. “We’re hoping to reset expectations for Bonita Vista High School football. We’re starting the season as a Division V team with a competitive schedule, but we feel as though we can win games behind an improved offensive line and another year of strong defense from our program. It’s our expectation to be a playoff team and win our league.”

Top returners include seniors Anthony Lorenz (quarterback),  A.J. Cortes (linebacker/running back), Julian Jimenez (12), Cole Margetts (receiver/cornerback), Dylan Hatton (cornerback/receiver), Max Shy (receiver/linebacker), junior Ta’Vyon Moore (running back), Adrian Torrentes (receiver/safety) and Alexzander Delgado (center) and sophomores Lukas Yaomoto (linebacker/tight end) and Nainoa Ahmu (defensive end/tight end).

Impact newcomers include juniors Kadarius Chapman (receiver), Lucas Cortez Raulli (receiver), David Figueroa Jr. (quarterback/receiver) and D’Angelo Johnson (cornerback).

There is some genuine talent coming back.

Cortes rushed for 259 yards and three touchdowns last season while leading the team with 46 tackles. Margetts had two receiving scores while securing six interceptions on defense.

Bonita Vista visits Eastlake this Friday to kick off the season when the teams renew their Battle for the Boot rivalry series. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.

Photo/Phillip Brents

Will there be a re-boot for the Barons under a new coaching staff in 2026?

Mar Vista Mariners reload, continue to look up

The Mar Vista High School football program recorded a definite upturn last year with a 6-5 record, Metro-Pacific League championship and No. 12 seed in the Division V playoffs. The Mariners look to bring back a powerful punch of players on offense despite the graduation of league player of the year Ciontae Fewell.

Fewell generated 1,356 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns on offense and 77 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery on defense.

Sophomore newcomer Michael Mercado takes the quarterback helm looking to replace last year’s output of 1,561 passing yards and 22 touchdown passes.

Top returners include junior receiver/cornerback Braylon Shumate, junior linebacker Luke Everett, sophomore running back/corner back Jehiel Crawford, senor center/defensive tackle Noah Hudkins, senior tackle Omar Ortiz, junior receiver/cornerback Aaron Shelby, senior defensive end Julian Davis, senior tight end/defensive end Alfred Arise, senior running back/linebacker Sergio Gonzalez, junior lineman/long snapper Estras Orozco, junior defensive end Terrell Johnson and junior receiver/cornerback/kicker Cade Corchado.

Shumate led the team in scoring with 15 touchdowns and tacked on four interceptions on defense. He racked up 541 receiving yards and 10 TD and tacked on 283 rushing yards and three scores.

Everett keyed the Imperial Beach team with 103 tackles while rushing for 362 yards and four touchdowns

Arise added three fumble recoveries on defense.

Mercado’s main targets should be double threat of Shumate and Crawford (promoted to varsity for league play). Everrett will move to fullback and take the duties of running in between the tackles.

“The team’s drive for a third consecutive Pacific League title will not be easy but a title is very possible with a deeper run into the playoffs,” MVHS head coach Sergio Villalva said. “The team has set a goal on a CIF championship run and hopefully a state playoff run.”

Newcomers Cecil Thomas and Kerry Moss will be asked to fortify an issue from last year’s defense, Vallalva said. Mater Dei Catholic transfer Oscar Arias will bring much needed depth to the defensive line while Shumate (22 tackles in 2025) and Crawford (15 tackles in 2025) along with Corchado, Mercado, David Gass and Speedster William Moreland (4.3 speed) will help strengthen the secondary.

The offensive line brings back two all league players (Hudkins and Ortiz) and is looking forward to the inclusion of newcomers Jacob Garcia, Matthew Hernandez, Joshua Ibarra and Johnson. Utility player Sergio Gonzalez (RB/LB), Alfred Arise, Shelby (WR/FS), will add help on both sides of the ball. 

The Mariners host El Cajon Valley on Aug. 21 to kick off the new season.