Matadors win meeting of unbeaten teams

EastCountySports.com senior editor

GOLDEN TRIANGLE — Both halves were very different in the matchup between undefeated Top 20 teams, but Mount Miguel held the edge in both 24-minute sessions against the host La Jolla Country Day Torreys.

The Matadors mounted a 14-0 halftime lead with defense, then captured a wild, second-half scoring affair to eventually down La Jolla Country Day School, 35-21, Friday (Sept. 6) at LJCDS’s Ings Family Field.

The final 12 minutes featured four touchdowns, split evenly, as the Torreys moved to with seven points, but Mount Miguel Matadors always countered.

Matadors quarterback A.J. Stowers utilized a short passing game to collect 203 yards on 17-for-23 passing. The junior also posted a pair of touchdown passes, but LJCDS stayed in the contest with three interceptions.

However, the Matadors defense also accumulated two fumble recoveries, one each by senior Dom De Arcos and sophomore Jayden Hunter, leaving the offense with a short field for easy touchdowns.

De Arcos also stuff-blocked a punt to set-up another short field for a score.

The top Mount Miguel tacklers were both underclassman — junior  Malachi Jackson (8) and sophomore Dominic Lopez (7).

Rushing for scores were yardage leaders Stowers (45 yards) and Paris Vernon (39), while Brandon Arrington reached the end zone on his lone carry from 2 yards out when he recovered a fumble by Logan, who had recorded 48 yards on a reception the ball was jared loose, but Arrington picked in up and ran it in for the score.

Stowers had a 21-yard rushing touchdown.

Scoring pass plays went to K.J. Fields on his lone reception of 19 yards, and A.J. Logan, the contest’s leader receiver with seven grabs.

Logan caught a pass from Stowers from 5 yards for a 7-0 lead.

Vernon had a 35-yard touchdown run in the final minute after the lead was closed to 28-21 and LJCD failed to recover an onside kick

In the second-ever meeting between the schools, the Matadors avenged a 2021 CIF playoff setback to the Torreys, 26-20, in La Jolla.

Mount Miguel (3-0) seeks to post its best start since opening 5-0 in 2010 when it faces Bishop’s on Friday.