Game Preview: Crawford vs. Holtville

San Diego Section Division V Championship

Crawford Colts (12-0) vs. Holtville Vikings (10-2)

Saturday, November 30, 2013 7:00 p.m. PT
San Diego Mesa College (Merrill Douglas Stadium)

After eight straight losing seasons, a move to Division V proved to be the solution to Crawford's struggles. The Colts are now undefeated and playing in the section finals for the first time since 1985.

This will be Holtville's first appearance since winning the Class 1A title in 1992.

Both offenses revolve around the run game. The Colts' rushing attack is led by running backs Ray Lyons and Musa Musa. The senior duo combined for 2,207 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. The Vikings' leading rusher is dual-threat quarterback Clay Bowler. The senior recorded 1,811 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground.

This will only be the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The first took place in October with Crawford escaping with a 21-14 win at Balboa Stadium. It was the closest game of the season for the Colts, who outscored their opponents 431-68 in their Division V debut.

Highlights: St. Augustine routs Imperial 56-12 in D-II semifinals

 

MESA COLLEGE (11/27/2013) The St. Augustine Saints (10-2) clinched their second straight appearance in the San Diego Section finals after dominating the previously unbeaten Imperial Tigers (11-1) 56-12.

The Saints led 42-0 before Imperial finally got on the board in the third quarter.

St. Augustine's Elijah Preston rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries. The sophomore standout broke off touchdown runs of 28, 59, and 66 yards.

In a losing effort, Imperial senior Royce Freeman put up 168 rushing yards on 20 carries. He finishes an outstanding prep career with a total of 7,601, a San Diego Section record.

The Saints will face Mission Bay (12-1) for the Division II title on Monday, December 2nd at Qualcomm Stadium. The Buccaneers are coming off a 56-49 win over Rancho Buena Vista.

Helmets Designed By: California Helmet Project

Game Preview: St. Augustine vs. Imperial

 

CIF San Diego Section Division II Semifinals
St. Augustine Saints (9-2) vs. Imperial Tigers (11-0)
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 7:00 p.m. PT
San Diego Mesa College (Merrill Douglas Stadium)

Coming off a thrilling win over El Capitan, the undefeated Tigers are just a win away from punching their ticket to the San Diego Section Finals for the first time in team history. Standing in their way are the red-hot Saints, who won their last six games by a combined score of 279-67. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.

The winner of this game will meet Mission Bay or Rancho Buena Vista in the San Diego Section Division II championship game on Monday, Dec. 2 at Qualcomm Stadium.

Weekend Recap: Aztecs & Chargers hang on for huge wins

 

Aztecs 34, Boise State 31

QUALCOMM STADIUM (11/23/2013) Struggling with dropped passes and a costly fumble on a kickoff return that led to a touchdown, senior receiver Colin Lockett became the game's hero after catching a 10-yard pass from Quinn Kaehler in overtime to give San Diego State (7-4, 6-1 MWC) a 34-31 win over Boise State (7-4, 5-2 MWC).

It was the fourth overtime appearance of the season for the Aztecs, tied for the most in FBS history.

The Aztecs were down 28-21 with under five minutes left to play, but a 41-yard punt return by senior Tim Vizzi tied the game 28-28.

Boise State kicker Dan Goodale missed a 43-yard field goal in the closing seconds of regulation to force overtime.

Next week the Aztecs will close out the regular season with a trip to Las Vegas where they'll face the UNLV Rebels.

Impact Aztec: Junior CB J.J. Whittaker (2 INTs, 1 returned for a TD)

Chargers 41, Kansas City 38



KANSAS CITY (11/24/2013) Phillip Rivers threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 26-yarder to Seyi Ajirotutu with 24 seconds left to play, giving the San Diego Chargers (5-6) a 41-38 win over the Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) in a game that featured eight lead changes.

The Chargers ended a three-game losing streak and put themselves in the hunt for a spot in the AFC Wildcard, while the Chiefs suffered their second straight loss after starting the season 9-0.

The Chargers return to Qualcomm Stadium next week to host the Cincinnati Bengals.

Impact Charger: Rookie WR Keenan Allen (9 catches for 124 yards)

2013 Prep Football Rankings: Playoff Update

Oceanside will compete for a section title for the 10th straight season.

 

Top Storylines

 

Trailing Eastlake 30-7 at the half, Oceanside rallied back with 26 unanswered points including a game-winning field goal with four second left to play. The 33-30 comeback win earned the Pirates a trip to Qualcomm Stadium on Dec. 2nd where they'll face Mission Hills for the Open Division Championship. Mission Hills, coming off a thrilling 24-21 win over Helix, defeated Oceanside 30-6 on Sept. 27th.

 

Two No. 1 seeds were knocked out of the playoffs by No. 8 seeds. Mission Bay avenged its only loss of the season by stunning Madison 21-18 in the Div. 2 Quarterfinals. Grante Hills knocked off undefeated Francis Parker 27-16 in the Div. 3 Quarterfinals.



2013 Prep Football Rankings: Playoff Update

#1 Eastlake will face #3 Oceanside this Friday with a trip to the Q at stake.

 

Still unbeaten against San Diego County foes, the Eastlake Titans (10-1) will be put to their biggest test of the season when they host the Oceanside Pirates (9-2) in the Open Division Semifinals. The winner earns a trip to Qualcomm Stadium on Monday, December 2nd to take on Mission Hills (10-1) or Helix (9-2) for the right to be named the San Diego Section's first Open Division champion.

 

San Diego's uncrowned champions

USD parents and students rush the field after a 23-13 win over Drake. 



 

TORERO STADIUM (11/16/2013) An outstanding season and the careers of 21 seniors came to a bittersweet end after the San Diego Toreros (8-3) defeated the Drake Bulldogs (6-5, 5-3 PFL) 23-13 in the final game of the 2013 season.

Prior to last Thursday's disappointing announcement, a win in this game would have clinched a third straight Pioneer Football League title and the first FCS playoff bid in school history. Instead the Toreros cleaned out their lockers unrewarded for the hard work and dedication put towards a historic season.

San Diego Enforcers 2014 Schedule

 

The National Public Safety Football League announced its schedule for the 2014 season last week. Here are the opponents the San Diego Enforcers will face as they try to earn their way back to the National Championship Game.

 

Saturday, March 1st

vs. United States Marine Corp

Saturday, March 15

vs. Orange County Lawmen

Saturday, March 29

vs. Inland Empire Enforcers

Saturday, April 19

at LAPD Centurions

Saturday, May 17

vs. DSNY Strongest

Saturday, June 07

at Roanoke Rampage

 

Saturday, June 21

NPSFL National Championship Game (TBD)

Toreros are one win away from the playoffs

 

MOREHEAD, KY (11/09/2013) Junior receiver Reggie Bell caught nine passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns to help the University of San Diego Toreros (7-3, 6-1 PFL) blowout the Morehead State Eagles (3-7, 3-4 PFL) 59-3.

Led by senior Mason Mills, who went over 3,000 yards passing (3,176) for the season, the Toreros offense got off to a hot start scoring on three of its first four possessions. After an eight-yard touchdown run by Bug Rivera, Mills found Bell for two straight touchdown passes (9 & 70 yards) to put the Toreros up 21-3 at halftime.

Bell became the seventh player in USD history to go over 200 receiving yards (211) in a single game and the sixth to go over 1,000 yards (1,032) in a season.

The second half was all Toreros as they went on to score 35 unanswered points to seal the win.

The Toreros return home next Saturday to close out the regular season in what could be the biggest game in program history. Defending PFL co-champion Drake will attempt to spoil the Toreros' hopes for a third straight PFL title and a berth in the FCS playoffs.

Prep Football: Games to watch in Week 11

The Madison Warhawks will attempt to finish undefeated in league play for the seventh straight season.
 

#7 Madison (8-1) at Point Loma (5-4)

Madison (3-0) wins the Western League title outright if they come away with a victory. A Point Loma (2-1) win would force a three-way tie with Mission Bay (3-1).

#9 Cathedral Catholic (7-2) at Serra (7-2)

A rematch from last year’s finale that was supposed to take place again in the playoffs, but Cathedral was ruled ineligible giving Serra a free ticket to the next round.

San Marcos (6-3) at #2 Mission Hills (8-1)

Mission Hills owns a commanding 8-1 lead in the battle for the city of San Marcos. The only win for the Knights came in 2004 during the first-ever meeting between the teams. It was Mission Hills' inaugural season.

Torrey Pines (6-3) at La Costa Canyon (6-3)

Coming off tough losses, both teams will try to end the regular season on a positive note.

Hilltop (8-1) at Mar Vista (4-5)

Tied at 2-0 in the league standings, the winner here will be crowned the Metro South Bay Champions.

Grossmont (7-2) at West Hills (7-2)

The winner of this East County showdown will finish second behind Helix in the Grossmont Hills League.

Francis Parker (9-0) at Santa Fe Christian (6-3)

A perfect season and the Coastal League title will be on the line when these teams face off in a Div. V Championship rematch.

2013 Prep Football Rankings: Week 11

The Eastlake Titans are still #1 after a convincing win over Olympian.

With no losses in the top ten last week, the rankings will remain the same for the final week of the 2013 regular-season.

Highlights: Aztecs vs. New Mexico

 

College Football: Toreros rout Valpo, Aztecs hold off New Mexico

VALPARAISO, IN (11/02/2013) Senior running backs Joe Ferguson and Kenn James rushed for over 100 yards each to help the USD Toreros (6-3, 5-1 PFL) roll pass Valparaiso (1-8, 15 PFL) 58-14 Saturday morning.

Senior quarterback Mason Mills led the passing attack completing 19 out of 32 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, safety Matt Miller led the team in tackles (12) for a second straight week.

The Toreros also got some much needed help in the Pioneer Football League title race after Butler defeated Dayton 33-30. They now tie with Butler and Marist for first place in the PFL. With wins over both teams, they can clinch a playoff berth by winning out their final two games against Morehead State and Drake.

The Toreros will hit the road again next week when they face Morehead State (3-6, 3-3 PFL) for a 10:00 a.m. kickoff.