Matadors test out new scoreboard

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 3, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

MOUNT MIGUEL 41, MONTE VISTA 0

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – The Mount Miguel Matadors appeared as strong as ever against the Monte Vista Monarchs on Friday night.

The Matadors rumbled their way to a 41-0 shutout over their visiting city rivals behind impressive ball carriers Ruben Hernandez and Davian McGowan.

McGowan rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter and Hernandez finished with three long rushing scores as Mount Miguel’s football team got to light up the school’s new scoreboard – now the best display in the Grossmont Conference – for the first time in big-time fashion.

Matador sophomore Jeremiah Castillo threw a touchdown pass to Elijah Black for a 20-0 lead in the second quarter with under four minutes to play, as he threw it up for his receiver to take advantage of his matchup with the defender.

“It felt great to come out and get a win over our rivals,” Castillo said. “We practiced hard all week and prepared for this so it was a great team win. We came in humble, just like we have with every other opponent, and went out there and executed.”

McGowan, a sophomore, took a handoff from Hernandez for a 39-yard touchdown to open the scoring. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run for an early two-score lead.

“Davian has the ability to run the ball well and run violently,” Castillo said.

Hernandez’s first score came in the final minute of the first half, scoring from 37 yards away after breaking away from tacklers and getting into the clear down the middle of the field.

Castillo converted to Hernandez for the two-point conversion when he handled a high snap and improvised the play. Hernandez, the blocker off the right end, alertly slipped into the front of the end zone before the defenders could account for him.

Hernandez’s second-half scores were from 48 and 59 yards.

“Ruben has been an absolute beast,” Castillo said. “He’s one of the most unselfish players I have ever met. He’s always striving to get better and is great to be around – on and off the field.

Juniors Jesse Murguia, Joe Martinez, and Jaheim Terry, along with seniors Joseph Madonia and Daniel Landry, certainly enjoyed their success on the offensive line against the Monarch defense.

Senior linebacker Ivan James had a fine night for the Matador defense, which registered its second shutout of the season.

“The defense played well,” Castillo said. “We were glad to not give up any points.”

Mount Miguel (2-2, 1-1) can play a big part in the Grossmont Valley League race and are technically still in contention for the league title with the victory.

The Matadors host El Capitan next Friday at home, which, by the way, also features new bleachers, in addition to the stadium’s fully-illuminated “Mini-Tron” scoreboard.

Monte Vista (0-6, 0-2), which saw running back Aiden Robey manage some sizeable gains on the evening, played without starting quarterback and defensive back Jayden Richardson, as well as, two-way starter Tony Lewis.

The Monarchs will travel to face Santana (5-1, 1-1) next Friday. Both players expect to return to the line, although the Sultans will be without their starting quarterback, who was likely lost for the season in a loss at El Cap.

Santana’s earlier GVL game with Mount Miguel remains postponed, but whether or not the contest will now have a bearing on the league race remains to be seen.