Saturday, November 9, 2024

Prep Football: Top Storylines from Round 1 of the CIF San Diego Playoffs


Mount Miguel makes school history once again

The No. 5 seed Mount Miguel Matadors (9-2) earned their first-ever Division I playoff victory with a commanding 62-34 win over No. 12 Santa Fe Christian Eagles (9-2) Friday night. The victory advances Mount Miguel to the Quarterfinals, where they will face No. 4 El Camino.

The Matadors dominated from the start, racing to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter and extending it to 35-13 by halftime. Their passing attack proved especially potent, with AJ Stowers finding the end zone four times with multiple receivers including Brandon Arrington, DJ Wilkins, and AJ Logan, who threw a touchdown pass to Ezelle Buchanan on a flea flicker play. The ground game also contributed, with rushing touchdowns from Jayden Hunter and Kali Young.

Competing in its first-ever Division I playoff game, Santa Fe Christian showed occasional sparks with both passing and rushing touchdowns, including a rushing score from Magnus Falkiewicz and a touchdown reception by Brady Berg. But they couldn't match Mount Miguel's high-powered offense, who scored on all their drives. The Eagles' attempted comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring twice, proved too little too late as the Matadors continued to answer.

Del Norte advances with a comeback win at Oceanside

In a thrilling Division I playoff opener, the No. 9 seed Del Norte Nighthawks (7-4) rallied from a 21-0 deficit to stun the No. 8 Oceanside Pirates (7-4) 42-35, with senior running back Ryan Remigio Jr. scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 23-yard rush with 18 seconds left to play.

The Pirates built their early lead through three explosive scoring plays: a 35-yard touchdown pass from Joseph Vinup to Ayden Goodwin, followed by rushing touchdowns from Letuli (8 yards) and David Daniels (97 yards). Oceanside's defense also contributed early, with Ezaya Tokio recovering a fumble at the goal line to prevent an early Del Norte score.

Down 21-0, the Nighthawks began their comeback when quarterback Diesel Taylor found Anthony Taylor for a three-yard touchdown before halftime. Taylor continued the rally after the break, connecting with Jones for a 21-yard score. Though Vinup responded with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Kymani Nua, Diesel and Anthony connected again on a 33-yard strike to stay within reach.

After Se’e Poumele's four-yard touchdown run pushed Oceanside's lead back to 35-21, Del Norte mounted its decisive fourth-quarter comeback. Diesel found Anthony once again for their third touchdown connection of the night on a 46-yard pass, before Remigio scored twice on runs of 13 and 23 yards – the latter proving to be the game-winner. Kaden Barnett's crucial sack of Vinup helped set up the winning drive.

The victory advances Del Norte to a quarterfinal matchup against top-seeded San Marcos, who they lost to 27-21 in last week's regular season finale.

McIntyre, Gonzales rewrite record books, powers Escondido past Steele Canyon

In one of the most spectacular offensive displays in San Diego Section history, sophomore quarterback Ezekiel McIntyre and junior receiver Josh Gonzales rewrote both school and CIF record books while leading No. 6 Escondido Cougars (7-4) to a 57-53 playoff victory over the No. 11 Steele Canyon Cougars (4-7). The win advances Escondido to a Division III quarterfinal matchup with No. 3 seed San Diego.

McIntyre's historic night included 469 passing yards (17th all-time in CIF history and an Escondido record) on 23-of-31 passing with six touchdowns and two interceptions. The sophomore sensation added 88 rushing yards and two more scores on 16 carries, with his 557 total yards setting a new school record for combined passing and rushing.

Gonzales was equally remarkable, etching his name in the record books with 15 receptions (tied for 3rd all-time in CIF history), 313 receiving yards (4th all-time), and five touchdown catches (tied for 2nd all-time) – all new school records. Remarkably, it was Gonzales' second five-touchdown performance of the season.

2 of 3 Winless Teams Advance

The No. 7 seed St. Augustine Saints (1-10) earn its first win of the season with a 16-0 win over the No. 10 La Jolla Country Day Torreys (5-6) in the Division III bracket. The Saints will face undefeated No. 2 Holtville in the next round.

The No. 6 Mira Mesa Marauders (1-10) earned their first win of 2024 when it mattered most, defeating No. 11 Sweetwater Red Devils (5-6) 41-21 in the CIF San Diego Section Division IV playoffs. Quarterback Parker Rhea led the way with multiple touchdown passes, including two to Jovan Gorum, as the Marauders pulled away for the victory. The win sets up a quarterfinal revenge game against #3 Grossmont.

A winless sweep was avoided when the No. 12 Monte Vista Monarchs (6-5) escaped a long road trip with a 35-34 edging over the No. 5 seeded Fallbrook Warriors (0-11). The Monarchs' win earns them a quarterfinal matchup with No. 4 Hoover.

Santana Defense records 7 Interceptions in win over Kearny

The No. 7 Santana Sultans (7-4) dominated through the air on defense, recording seven interceptions from five different players in their 33-16 Division V playoff victory over the No. 10 Kearny Komets (7-4). The defensive showcase was led by defensive backs Noah Qualin (pick-6) and Tatum Morehouse with two picks each, while DB Kolten Thornton, LB Aiden Thornton, and DB Denton Goar each added interceptions to disrupt the Komets' passing attack. The Sultans will face No. 2 Bonita Vista in the next round.

Source: MaxPreps.com

Playoff Update

Friday, November 15

Open Division

Semifinals:

#4 Mission Hills (8-2) at #1 Lincoln (8-2)
#3 Cathedral Catholic (8-2) at #2 La Costa Canyon (10-0)

Division I 

Quarterfinals:

#9 Del Norte (7-4) at #1 San Marcos (9-1)
#7 Rancho Bernardo (9-2) at #2 Carlsbad (7-3)
#6 Torrey Pines (5-6) at #3 Granite Hills (8-2)
#5 Mount Miguel (9-2) at #4 El Camino (5-5)

Division II

Quarterfinals:

#8 Christian (9-2) at #1 University City (9-1)
#7 Bishop’s (7-3) at #2 Mater Dei Catholic (7-3)
#6 La Jolla (7-4) at #3 Helix (4-6)
#5 Point Loma (6-5) at #4 Poway (3-7)

Division III

Quarterfinals:

#8 Patrick Henry (7-3) at #1 Central (7-3)
#7 St. Augustine (1-10) at #2 Holtville (10-0)
#6 Escondido (7-4) at #3 San Diego (7-3)
#5 Eastlake (5-6) at #4 San Pasqual (5-5)

Division IV

Quarterfinals:

#8 Montgomery (8-3) at #1 Ramona (2-8)
#7 Chula Vista (5-6) at #2 El Capitan (7-3)
#6 Mira Mesa (1-10) at #3 Grossmont (4-6)
#5 Westview (4-7) at #4 Mission Bay (3-7)

Division V

Quarterfinals:

#8 Coronado (6-5) at #1 Vista (3-7)
#7 Santana (7-4) at #2 Bonita Vista (5-5)
#6 West Hills (6-5) at #3 Crawford (5-5)
#12 Monte Vista (6-5) at #4 Hoover (6-4)

Division V-AA

Semifinals:

#4 Maranatha Christian (8-3) at #1 Calipatria (7-2)
#3 Coastal Academy (9-2) at #2 Tri-City Christian (6-4)

Division VI (8-Man)

Semifinals:

#4 Horizon Prep (6-2) at #1 St. Joseph Academy (8-1)
#3 Calvin Christian (6-3) at #2 Foothills Christian (5-3)

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