Cougars’ concern is win over Matadors

By Bill Dickens

© East County Sports.com

SPRING VALLEY (11-7-15) — The San Diego CIF power ratings are confusing, to say the least. Teams with 1-9 records are knocking out teams with 4-6 records. And it gets worse across the board.

 

That seems hard to believe. Just ask Mount Miguel coach SHAUN McDADE, whose 4-6 Matadors are all but sure of not receiving an invitation to the post-season playoffs.

 

“When you look at the standings it’s hard to believe they make sense,” he said. “In so many cases according to the power ratings, it’s better to play a quality team and get beat, because it’s worth more points, than playing a team that you can beat that’s worth fewer points. So what are you supposed to do?”

 

Mount Miguel graduates 28 seniors from its football team.

 

“These are kids that deserve to be in the playoffs but will be denied by a formula that they don’t even understand,” McDade grumbled. “Our kids played hard and competed week in and week out. I certainly believe we are a playoff caliber team (in Division II).”

 

The Matadors narrowly missed finishing with a 5-5 mark as they dropped a 24-13 decision to visiting Steele Canyon Friday (Nov. 6) on Mount Miguel’s Senior Night.

 

“We certainly played good enough to win – no doubt about that,” said McDade. “There were a couple of plays that we didn’t make, and that cost us.”

 

PIERRE (aka Rickey Henderson) ALEXANDER rushed for 63 yards and 3 touchdowns on 13 carries to propel the Cougars past Mount Miguel.

 

“I’ve got to give it up to our offensive line and (sidekick) MALCOLM ANDERS,” said Alexander, who speaks in the third person. “Anders did all the dirty work, Pierre just punched it in.”

 

Anders stormed for 99 yards on 23 carries for the Cougars.

 

Cougars quarterback THOMAS FISHBURNE completed 7 of 18 passes for 134 yards under heavy pressure provided by the Matadors.

 

“I don’t mind moving around in the pocket like I had to do in this game,” Fishburne said. “The way I see it it’s always better to throw the ball away than to take a sack.”

On the flip side ANTHONY HOWARD had 2 key interceptions for Steele Canyon (6-4, 3-2). His biggest pick came with a touchdown saving grab in the endzone to protect the Cougars 10-0 advantage late in the second period.

 

“We were in a Cover 3,” Howard said. “We knew they’d run a flood route and when I saw the ball in the air I went up for it.”

 

Howard’s second theft of the evening came midway through the fourth quarter.

 

“That was again Cover 3 and zone coverage high point,” he said. “I was just in the right spot to get the pick.”

 

The Cougars’ CARRINGTON TRISBY also had an interception, and MIKEL OLIVER recovered a fumble.

 

Defensively CARTER CANEDY chipped in with 7 tackles for the Cougars.

 

Mount Miguel’s BENNY VALADEZ completed 13 passes for 178 yards, including a 46-yard bomb to KIKO BORJA late in the third quarter.

 

Borja finished with 3 catches for 67 yards, while ANTHONY GILMORE grabbed 3 passes for 45 yards, rushed for 35 on 13 carries and returned a kickoff 19 yards.

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