Memorable season ends for Matadors

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

CORONADO 29, MOUNT MIGUEL 27

 

EastCountySports.com staff report

 

SPRING VALLEY – A failed 2-point conversion in the final moments of a 2-point loss seems to stand out in any football game.

 

In the case of Mount Miguel’s heartbreaking 29-27 loss to Coronado, however, it was actually two plays midway through the contest that cost the Matadors more in Friday’s San Diego Section Division IV first-round playoff game at Mount Miguel.

 

Leading 21-7 with a minute to play in the first half, Mount Miguel forced Coronado into punt formation and figured to get the ball with maybe enough time to score again but at least go into intermission with a 14-point cushion.

 

The Islanders, however, had a different plan. They snapped the ball instead to rush blocker Devon Schulte, who scooted around right end and continued on for a 55-yard touchdown to make it 21-14 instead.

 

“That was the play that hurt the most,” Matadors coach Troy Starr said. “It wasn’t like we were fooled. We had guys playing the fake. We just didn’t tackle him.”

 

To open the second half, Coronado kicked off and held Mount Miguel on downs. But the Matadors’ punt snap sailed out of the end zone for a 2-point safety.

 

With under a minute to play in the game, Mount Miguel’s J.D. Laverdiere hit Anthony Mitchell on an 18-yard touchdown pass to pull within 29-27. On the 2-point conversion, Mitchell took a handoff out of the backfield, veered right but was stopped a yard shy of the goal line and a tie game.

 

Mount Miguel’s onside kick attempt was recovered by Coronado’s Jayden Ferrar, and the No. 10 Islanders (7-4) advanced to the quarterfinals at No. 2 Serra (8-2) next week.

 

No. 7 Mount Miguel (5-6) saw its season end, but the Matadors set a number of amazing offensive marks and made tremendous progress both on and off the field in Starr’s second year at the helm.

 

“We’re proud of all of the guys,” Starr said. “They gave it all they had and left it all out there on the field. The compete all the way to the end.

 

“We love our guys. They’re awesome kids.”

 

With eight receptions for 144 yards and a TD, senior wideout Jahiem Allen-Pompey broke a state record with 2,065 receiving yards in just 11 games. His 110 receptions are another section record. His 23 touchdown receptions were three shy of the section record 26 set by Mission Hills’ Chris Olave in 2016. Olave is now playing for Ohio State.

 

The 5-foot-7, 129-pound Allen-Pompey does not have a college scholarship offer and will likely play for a community college next season, if he so chooses.

 

Laverdiere, a junior quarterback, was 15-of-26 passing for 212 yards and two touchdowns. His season included 3,311 yards and 32 TDs, and he now has 6,246 yards and 59 TDs in 21 career games.

 

The Matadors offensive line also had a terrific season, led by seniors Quincy Snipes Jr., Ulices Monje, Christian Bernal and Julius Ford, and junior Elias Doering.

 

“It’s not about the yards or the stats,” Starr said. “Our kids have all made such tremendous progress in the classroom. They have really worked hard both on and off the field. We’re really pleased with all the strides they have made.”

 

In Friday’s playoff, neither team scored until three minutes into the second quarter when the Islanders’ Brody Roulier hit Tyler Buckley for an 8-yard TD pass.

 

The Matadors answered quickly with three scores in a four-minute span. Laverdiere connected with Allen-Pompey on a 44-yard TD to tie the game.

 

 

Jahiem Allen-Pompey WR for @MtMiguelFB gets his 23 receiving TD of the season. Needs 4 more for section record. He has also gone over 2,000 yds receiving for season. More highlights and postgame interviews from Matadors & @CoronadoFBall on @fox5sandiego Sports Final at 10:45. pic.twitter.com/8fCiqHN7nu

— Troy Hirsch (@troyhirschfox5) November 9, 2019

 

A minute later, Laverdiere rushed for a 9-yard score, and two minutes later, Anthony Mitchell capped a short drive with a 10-yard TD for a 21-7 lead, and the Matadors appeared to be cruising.

 

Coronado, however, got the next four scores.

 

Schulte’s 55-yard fake punt TD run started the buzz kill just before halftime. The safety in the early minutes of the third quarter closed the gap to 21-16. Two minutes after the ensuing free kick, Coronado went on top, 23-21, when Schulte scored on a 23-yard run.

 

Four minutes into the fourth quarter, the Islanders increased their lead to 29-21 on a 10-yard TD run by Ash Bibbes. The PAT kick attempt was no good, however, setting up a potential tie.

 

Late in the game, the Matadors forced a punt and got the ball back at the 48-yard line with enough time for Laverdiere to direct another score.

 

They got it on Mitchell’s second touchdown, but alas the 2-point attempt was stopped short.

 

The Islanders then recovered an onside kick attempt.

 

Schulte finished with 184 all-purpose yards for the Islanders.

 

 

CORONADO 29, MOUNT MIGUEL 27

Coronado     0 14 9 6 – 29

Mount Miguel 0 21 0 6 – 27

C – Tyler Buckley 8 pass from Brady Roulier (Nico Dimatteo kick)

MM – Jahiem Allen-Pompey 44 pass from J.D. Laverdiere (Axel Aguilar kick)

MM – J.D. Laverdiere 9 run (Axel Aguliar kick)

MM – Anthony Mitchell 10 run (Axel Aguliar kick)

C – Devon Schulte 55 run (Nico Dematteo kick)

C – Safety, punt snap out of end zone

C – Devon Schulte 23 run (Nico Dematteo kick)

C – Ash Bibbes 10 run (kick failed)

MM – Anthony Mitchell 18 pass from J.D. Laverdiere (run failed)

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