The Mt. Miguel Matadors are becoming masters of scoring touchdowns this season. The Spring Valley team scored seven of them last Friday to upstage Valhalla’s homecoming by a score of 52-0 as both teams kicked off Grossmont Valley League play.
Senior quarterback Matthew Barton was involved in six of the scoring plays after passing for 269 yards and six touchdowns. He now has thrown for 1,759 yards and 23 touchdowns against two interceptions in seven games for the 6-1 Matadors.
Senior Jeremiah Castillo helped key the aerial attack with eight catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He raised his personal totals to 30 catches for 657 yards and eight receiving scores. He has nine total touchdowns to lead the team on the season.
Sophomore Parris Vernon also scored twice — once on the ground and once through the air. He rushed four times for 47 yards and one rushing touchdown while making four catches for 80 yards and one score.
Three other players each snagged one TD pass: junior Braylon Cardwell (three catches, 36 yards), sophomore Zane Rottier (two catches, 33 yards) and senior Johnny Castro (two catches, 25 yards).
Barton racked up 281 total offensive yards with an additional 12 rushing yards. Rottier led the visitors on the ground with 56 yards on seven carries.
Mt. Miguel totaled 396 offensive yards in picking up its second consecutive win after a disappointing 24-13 loss to Bishop’s on Sept. 15 that remains the team’s lone blemish in the win-loss column this season.
The Matadors remain the No. 1-ranked team among the section’s Division IV squads, followed by Santana (4-2) at No. 2 in the MaxPreps matrix, No. 3 Westview (4-2) and No. 4 Chula Vista (5-2).
Mt. Miguel has assured itself of its first winning season in 10 years.
The Matadors have three regular season games remaining on their schedule — all GVL contests. They host El Capitan (1-0 in league, 4-3 overall) on Oct. 12, then engage the El Cajon Valley Braves in a road contest on Oct. 20 before hosting cross-town rival Monte Vista on Oct. 27.
The top 12-seeded teams in Division IV qualify for post-season play that begins Nov. 3. The Division IV championship game is scheduled Nov. 24 at Southwestern College at 2 p.m.
In another Grossmont Valley league opener, host El Capitan celebrated its homecoming with a 38-3 win over the visiting Monte Vista Monarchs.
Junior Brandt Barker passed for 232 yards and five touchdowns — four to senior Chance Lachappa (six catches, 133 yards).
East County Football Scoreboard
Thursday, Sept. 28
Grossmont Hills League
Helix 41, West Hills 7
Friday, Sept. 29
Grossmont Hills League
Grossmont 39, Steele Canyon 36
Granite Hills 42, Santana 6
Grossmont Valley League
Mt. Miguel 52, Valhalla 0
El Capitan 38, Monte Vista 3
City Eastern League
Pt. Loma 24, Christian 13
Pacific League
Mountain Empire 9, O’Farrell Charter 7
Non-League
Holtville 29, El Cajon Valley 0
Eight-Man
Sage Hill 57, Foothills Christian 13
