SDFN Player of the Week (Aug. 23-24)

Mario Alves (Kearny Komets)

303 passing yards & 6 TDs vs. Calexico

Quarterback Mario Alves earns our Player of the Week honors after completing 11 of 16 passes for 303 yards and six touchdowns in just three quarters of play, helping his Kearny Komets defeat the Calexico Bulldogs 65-16. We caught up with the senior recipient and Kearny Offensive Coordinator Verlain Betofe to discuss the Komets' explosive offense and their two-week preparation for Morse.

Contenders

Trevor Appleman (Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders)

305 passing yards & 4 TDs vs. El Capitan

Keegan Baker (Valhalla Norsemen)

263 rushing yards & 5 TDs vs. University City

Javin Deanda (Hilltop Lancers)

414 passing yards & 4 TDs vs. Escondido

Anthony Gilpan Jr. (Olympian Eagles)

130 receiving yards, 2 TDs, & 1 INT vs. Ramona

Jake Hadzicki (Del Norte Nighthawks) 

2 TDs, 2 INTs, & 1 fumble recovery vs. Fallbrook

Mo Jackson (San Diego Cavers)

212 rushing yards & 2 TDs vs. Crawford

Elelyon Noa (Helix Highlanders)

3 Total TDs (2 rush, 1 REC) vs. Cajon (San Bernardino, CA)

Benjo O’Brien (Lincoln Hornets)

143 receiving yards & 1 TD vs. Monte Vista

Ke’ontae Springs (Madison Warhawks)
440 all-purpose yards & 4 TDs vs. Rancho Bernardo

Desmond Taua (Vista Panthers)
223 rushing yards & 3 TDs vs. St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano, CA)

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE PREP FOOTBALL POLL (WEEK 2)

Rank / Team / Record / Points / Last Week / Comments

1. Cathedral Catholic (22) / 1-0 / 303 / 1 / Very convincing win over LCC

2. St. Augustine (8) / 1-0 / 281 / 2 / Saints dominate Bonita Vista to remain #2

3. Helix (1) / 1-0 / 247 / 3 / Noa is 13 rushing yards away from school record

4. Torrey Pines / 1-0 / 206 / 4 / Falcons soared over Los Alamitos (CA)

5. Lincoln / 1-0 / 182 / 5 / Hornets roll past Monte Vista, will face tougher El Camino

6. Carlsbad / 1-0 / 160 / 7 / Coming off blowout win over non-section Hart

7. Steele Canyon / 1-0 / 106 / 10 / Cougars held off Eastlake at home

8. Mission Hills / 0-1 / 106 / 6 / Griz suffers setback to non-section foe Palos Verdes

9. Madison / 1-0 / 41 / NR / Springs notched 404 total yards at RB

10. Otay Ranch / 1-0 / 32 / NR / Huge statement win over San Marcos

Others Receiving Votes: La Costa Canyon (0-1, 29 points), Granite Hills (1-0, 12 points), Oceanside (0-1, 8 points), Eastlake (0-1 6 points), San Marcos (0-1, 4 points), San Diego (1-0 4 points), Grossmont (1-0, 4 points), El Camino (1-0, 1 point), Olympian (1-0, 1 point), Vista (1-0, 1 point).

First-place votes in parenthesis

Points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis

Voters: 31 sportswriters, sportscasters and officials from throughout the county.

John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune), Terry Monahan, Don Norcross, Rick Hoff and Jim Lindgren (freelance writers),  Paul Rudy, Brandon Stone and Ted Mendenhall (KUSI-TV), Adam Paul (ECPreps.com), Ramon Scott (EastCountySports.com),  Bodie DeSilva (SanDiegoPreps.com), Taylor Quellman (Fox Sports), Steve Brand (San Diego Hall of Champions), Troy Hirsch, Kalyn McMakin and Tabitha Lipkin (Fox 5 San Diego), Rick Smith (PartletonSports.com), Jerry Schniepp, John Labeta and Ron Marquez (CIF San Diego Section office), Raymond Brown (SDFootball.net), Bob Petinak (freelance contributor), John Kentera and Braden Suprenent (97.3-FM The Fan), Steve Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9-FM), Mike Dolan and John Carroll (CIF Football Tournament Director), Christian Pederson (SoCal Prep Insider), Joe Heinz (Athletics Director, Sweetwater School District), Eric Williams (WBK Sports/SDFNL), Thomas Gutierrez (Cal-Hi Sports).

2019 Prep Football Rankings (Week 2)

Here's our vote for this week’s San Diego Union-Tribune Prep 🏈 Media Poll:

1️⃣ Cathedral Catholic Dons (1-0)

2️⃣ St. Augustine Saints (1-0)

3️⃣ Lincoln Hornets (1-0)

4️⃣ Helix Highlanders (1-0)

5️⃣ Torrey Pines Falcons (1-0)

6️⃣ Carlsbad Lancers (1-0)

7️⃣ Steele Canyon Cougars (1-0)

8️⃣ La Costa Canyon Mavericks (0-1)

9️⃣ Mission Hills Grizzlies (0-1)

🔟 Otay Ranch Mustangs (1-0)

Strong second half helps #5 Lincoln pull away from Monte Vista

SPRING VALLEY, CA (08/23/2019) Senior wide receiver Keyshawn Smith put up 84 yards receiving and caught two touchdown passes as the Lincoln Hornets (1-0) rolled pass the Monte Vista Monarchs (0-1) 42-7 Friday night. We caught up with him and head coach David Dunn after the game to talk about the win.

Monte Vista was able to hold Lincoln's halftime lead to 12-7 by forcing two turnovers and controlling the clock with their run-heavy offense, but the Hornets exploded in the third quarter with 26 unanswered points to put the game away.

Lincoln running back Kenneth Stevenson found the end zone twice. Benjo O'Brien recorded 143 yards in receptions and caught one of Chris Davila's two touchdown passes.

Cornerback Ke'shun Ford made the play of the night by grabbing an interception with one hand before landing on his back. Deandre Patterson-Forte led all Hornet defenders in total tackles.

Next week the Lincoln continues their road slate at El Camino. Monte Vista will also be away from home when they take on Rancho Buena Vista.

Top 10 Results (Week 1)

Rank / Team (#1 Votes) / Record / Result

1. Cathedral Catholic (20) / 1-0 / Def. #8 La Costa Canyon 42-9

2. St. Augustine (10) / 1-0 / Def. Bonita Vista 37-7

3. Helix (1) / 1-0 / Def. Cajon (San Bernardino, CA) 28-22

4. Torrey Pines / 1-0 / Def. Los Alamitos (CA) 36-10

5. Lincoln / 1-0 / Def. Monte Vista 42-7

6. Mission Hills / 0-1 / Loss to Palos Verdes 15-28

7. Carlsbad / 1-0 / Def. Hart (Santa Carita, CA) 42-14

8. La Costa Canyon / 0-1 / Loss to #1 Cathedral Catholic 9-42

9. Oceanside / 0-1 / Loss to San Clemente (CA) 13-35

10. Steele Canyon / 1-0 / Def. Eastlake 17-6

Publisher's Picks

#8 La Costa Canyon Mavericks at #1 Cathedral Catholic Dons ✔ ✅ 42-9

Eastlake Titans at #10 Steele Canyon Cougars ✔ ✅ 17-6

✔ #5 Lincoln Hornets at Monte Vista Monarchs ✅ 42-7

✔ Madison Warhawks at Rancho Bernardo Broncos ✅ 34-23

✔ Bishop's Knights at La Jolla Vikings ✅ 18-9

Mira Mesa Marauders at Grossmont Foothillers ✔ ✅ 43-14

Crawford Colts at San Diego Cavers ✔ ✅ 40-0

✔ Granite Hills Eagles at Poway Titans ✅ 28-24

Santa Fe Christian Eagles at Christian Patriots ✔ ❌ 20-28

✔ Serra Conquistadors at Scripps Ranch Falcons ❌ 0-18

Week 1 Record: 8-2

Tale of the Tape: LCC at Cathedral

🏈 La Costa Canyon Mavericks at Cathedral Catholic Dons

📍Manchester Stadium (Cathedral Catholic High School)

📅 Friday, August 23, 2019 🕖 7:00 P.M. PT

Our newly created "Undisputed Title" will be defended for the first time when top-ranked champion Cathedral Catholic host the visiting Mavericks, who defeated the Dons 19-7 in last year's season opener. Cathedral has not lost to a San Diego Section opponent since then, while La Costa Canyon's promising run ended in the Division I quarterfinals.

The title can only be defended amongst the San Diego Section, so if Cathedral wins, they will have two weeks before their next scheduled defense against Helix. If LCC pulls off the upset, they'll put the title on the line next week against Vista.

Prep Football: Publisher's Picks (Week 1)

Games of the Week

#8 La Costa Canyon Mavericks at #1 Cathedral Catholic Dons

Last year these teams opened the season with their first meeting ever, which ended with La Costa Canyon pulling off a 19-7 victory. Since then, Cathedral has gone on to win 12 straight games before falling in the state championship. Meanwhile LCC finished 6-4 with their season ending in the second round of the Division I playoffs.

The Dons will defend their Open Division title without the help of key offensive weapons such as running back Shawn Poma and wide reciever Zion Sorani, but quarterback DJ Ralph returns along with five offensive linemen. Seniors Jordan Allen, Devin Dye, and Logan Berzins will be key factors in Cathedral's front seven.

Marshall Eucker will be the Mavericks' starting quarterback once again, and he'll have fellow senior Trevor Gonzales back as one of his top targets. On defense, expect First Team All-State defender Austin "Ozzie" Nicholas to add another stellar season to his resume. Nicholas put up 3.5 sacks in last year's win over the Dons.

Publisher's Pick:

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE PRESEASON PREP FOOTBALL POLL

Rank / Team / 2018 Record / Points / 2018 Final / Comments

1. Cathedral Catholic (20) / 11-1 / 298 / 1 / Open Division champions have reloaded.

2. St. Augustine (10) / 10-3 / 282 /  3 / Saints are loaded and ready to challenge.

3. Helix (1) / 8-5 / 238 / 5 / Highlanders have best RB in the county, if not the state.

4. Torrey Pines / 10-1 / 179 / 2 / Rebuild shouldn't take long.

5. Lincoln / 10-4 / 154 / 5 / May have the best skill players in county.

6. Mission Hills / 5-7 / 153 / NR / Grizzlies are huge up front on both sides of ball.

7. Carlsbad / 6-4 / 116 / 6 / Lot of new, but very talented players.

8. La Costa Canyon / 6-4 / 108 / NR / Talented players on both sides of ball.

9. Oceanside / 6-6 / 51 / NR / Pirates have found their swagger again.

10. Steele Canyon / 9-3 / 41 / NR / State championship a year ago. Could challenge again.

Others Receiving Votes: San Marcos (8-2, 26 points), Eastlake (10-2, 22 points), Madison (6-5, 12 points), San Diego (10-2, 38 points), Otay Ranch (6-5, 1 point).

First-place votes in parenthesis

Points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis

Voters: 31 sportswriters, sportscasters and officials from throughout the county.

John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune), Terry Monahan, Don Norcross, Rick Hoff and Jim Lindgren (freelance writers),  Paul Rudy, Brandon Stone and Ted Mendenhall (KUSI-TV), Adam Paul (ECPreps.com), Ramon Scott (EastCountySports.com),  Bodie DeSilva (SanDiegoPreps.com), Taylor Quellman (Fox Sports), Steve Brand (San Diego Hall of Champions), Troy Hirsch, Kalyn McMakin and Tabitha Lipkin (Fox 5 San Diego), Rick Smith (PartletonSports.com), Jerry Schniepp, John Labeta and Ron Marquez (CIF San Diego Section office), Raymond Brown (SDFootball.net), Bob Petinak (freelance contributor), John Kentera and Braden Suprenent (97.3-FM The Fan), Steve Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9-FM), Mike Dolan and John Carroll (CIF Football Tournament Director), Christian Pederson (SoCal Prep Insider), Joe Heinz (Athletics Director, Sweetwater School District), Eric Williams (WBK Sports/SDFNL), Thomas Gutierrez (Cal-Hi Sports).

Video: Surge players form coaching staff at Patrick Henry

After completing her seventh season playing offensive tackle for the San Diego Surge women's football team, Eboni Chambers was hired to be the head football coach of the Patrick Henry High School freshman squad.

She was joined by teammates Melissa Strother, Mercedes Tyler, Sonfre Roberson, and Rebekah LaMie to form the only football coaching staff in San Diego Prep Football to feature all women.

We caught up with all five coaches during the team's preseason scrimmage to discuss working with teammates, the differences between playing and teaching football, and advice for young women who may have similar aspirations.

Video: Strike Force Re-Brands for 2020 season

Following a 1-13 finish to their inaugural season, the San Diego Strike Force indoor football team will enter their sophomore campaign in 2020 with a new logo, uniform set, and color scheme, which the team hopes will lead to a new winning attitude and attract more support for the organization.

In establishing a new identity, the team wanted to honor San Diego's military history, so they hired graphic designer Brian Gundell to come up with a look where the players on the field resemble military fighter pilots.

New Primary Logo

New Team Colors

Olive Green - Same shade used by the supplier of the military's flight suit.

Gold - Intended to reflect the look of a pilot's wing pin.
Black - Stealth.

New Uniforms

2019 Prep Football Preseason Rankings

Here's our vote for this year's San Diego Union-Tribune Prep Football Preseason Media Poll, which is scheduled to be released next week.

Rank / Team / 2018 Record

1. Cathedral Catholic Dons (12-2)

2. St. Augustine Saints (10-4)

3. Lincoln Hornets (11-5)

4. Helix Highlanders (8-5)

5. Torrey Pines Falcons (10-1)

6. La Costa Canyon Mavericks (6-4)

7. Carlsbad Lancers (6-4)

8. San Marcos Knights (8-2)

9. Mission Hills Grizzlies (5-7)

10. Steele Canyon Cougars (9-3)

Prep Football: Safeties who can make big plays this season.

Here's our list of some of the top strong and free safeties in the San Diego Section heading into the upcoming 2019 season.

This is not a rankings list, therefore all players will be listed in alphabetical order via last name.

Prep Football: Cornerbacks who could cover your best receiver this season

Here's our list of some of the top cornerbacks in the San Diego Section heading into the upcoming 2019 season.

This is not a rankings list, therefore all players will be listed in alphabetical order via last name.

Prep Football: Linebackers who can lay the hammer this season

Here's our list of some of the top inside, outside, and middle linebackers in the San Diego Section heading into the 2019 season.

This is not a rankings list, therefore all players will be listed in alphabetical order via last name.

Video: Toreros prepare to open 2019 season with a tough slate

The University of San Diego Toreros began fall camp Friday afternoon coming off its fifth straight Pioneer Football League championship season. The goal is the same as it is every year, earn a FCS Playoff berth by winning the PFL's automatic bid.

To prepare for what should be a tough road to a sixth straight title, the Toreros scheduled three of some of the top teams in the FCS to fill the non-conference portion of its schedule. USD will open the season at Cal Poly (Aug. 31), then return home to face UC Davis (Sept. 7) and Harvard (Sept. 21) at Torero Stadium.

"For us that's like a murderer's row," seventh-year head coach Dale Lindsey said. "I think those first three games will be a really great test for us."

Following the opening day of fall camp, we caught up with Lindsey and senior wide receiver Michael Bandy to discuss the quarterback battle, non-conference opponents, and more.

Prep Football: Defensive Linemen who can wreak havoc this season

We begin our defensive watch list where we ended on offense: The Almighty Trenches. Here's our list of some of the most feared defensive linemen in the San Diego Section heading into the 2019 season.

This is not a rankings list, therefore all players will be listed in alphabetical order via last name.