East teams bound for improvement

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

EL CENTRO – Vincent Memorial Catholic, the defending CIF-San Diego Section champions in Division 5-AA, raced to the crown with a three-year, record-setting quarterback.

But when Monte Vista met the Scots in Friday’s (Aug.23) opener held at El Centro-Southwest High Stadium, the Monarchs were in for a surprise.

The Scots were completely transformed from a passing unit to a stellar ground game, keeping possession of the ball all night to secure a 21-0 shutout victory.

A series of Monte Vista mistakes, aided the victory for VMCHS (1-0) after scoring all of their points in the opening half.

Included was a fumbled center snap, which was recovered by Scots lineback Juan Carlos Saenz for a quick 7-0 advantage.

Scots senior running back Robert Carranza later rushed for a pair of scores to mound the 21-point cushion.

The Monarchs deficit could’ve been greater as VMCHS took the opening drive and marched 79 yards on nine plays (all rushes) to the 1-yard line.

However, the Scots first pass attempt — by a quarterback playing in his first-ever high school contest — was intercepted.

At the intermission, although Monte Vista made the necessary adjustments to post a second-half shutout the rest of the way, the Scots continued to dominate on defense against a youthful Monarchs offense.

Rahshawn Florence had an interception early in the game for Monte Vista.

The TDs by Carranza covered 7 and 11 yards, including the second score on the first play after another MCHS fumble in their own red zone.

Vincent Memorial now leads the all-time series 2-0, also winning last season in Spring Valley, 29-13.

MORE:  https://calexicochronicle.com/2024/08/24/football-scots-defense-dominates-opening-night-win/

IMPERIAL – Running back J.J. Jimenez rushed for a 2-yard touchdown just five minutes into Friday’s (Aug. 23) season-opening contest, as the Imperial Tigers led from start-to-finish in a 28-6 conquest of the West Hills Wolf Pack at Tigers Stadium.

Near the conclusion of the first half, Imperial quarterback Jayden Ayala tossed a 2-yard TD pass, then threw a 6-yard TD strike near the end of the third period for a 21-0 advantage.

Moments later, following a West Hills turnover, Jayden Ayala, who caught the second Jimenez TD pass, fired one of his own on a flea-flicker. The 70-yard bomb went Deren Hueso to push the margin to 28 points.

The score for West Hills (0-1) came on a 2-yard rush by quarterback Joe Hamilton, who carried 16 times for 84 yards.

However, Tigers kick returner Beau Zinn took the ensuing kickoff 59 yards into Wolf Pack territory berfore Imperial ran out the clock.

Junior Aiden Kidwell had a pair of receptions for 18 yards from Hamilton.

The all-time series is now level at 3-3, with the home team winning each time, including a 2018 playoff game in the Imperial Valley.

EL CAJON – At Priest Field, the visiting Crawford Colts ruined the debut of first-year El Cajon Valley head coach James Simon in posting a 31-0 non-league victory on Friday (Aug. 23).

A balanced Colts offensive attack out-gained ECVHS, 239-116, to take a 28-0 lead, before adding a late 35-yard field goal

Colts senior quarterback Philip Huynh completed 8-of-15 passes for 146 yarda and 2 TDs.

Braves senior running back Quincy Morgan had 45 yards on 16 carries.

A bright spot for the Braves were a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery.

El Cajon Valley’s defense was led by linebacker Fabian Carmona, who posted an impressive 15 tackles along with 9 assists to lead both squads.

In a historical note, ECVHS captured the first meeting between the schools, winning in a CIF playoff game, 28-27, in 1997. The Braves also lead the series, 4-3, but the Colts have won the last three, including two by shutout.

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – In the first-ever meeting between the schools, the Classical Academy Caimans of Escondido blanked the host Valhalla Norsemen.

Caimans back Justus Smith scored twice on 22-for-79 rushing, then caught four balls for another 56 yards and a third score.

The other Classical TD came on the ground by senior Matt Orysiek.

On defense, sophomore linebacker Daine Gonzalez led with 8 stops for the visitors.

For Valhalla (0-1), Ahmed Husaini paced the Norsemen with a game-best 11 tackles, while Lorenzo Matos added 9 stops. Both are junior linebackers.