Mission Bay entered the CIF football playoffs as the team to beat. So as the No. 1 seed in Division IV, it had the privilege of meeting the lowest-seed team in round one.
The seed-selection wizards were proven correct when Mission Bay defeated Santana High 40-7 Friday, Nov. 23.
“We were prepared and were able to play our game. We threw some different coverages at them than they might have seen us run before,” said Mission Bay Head Coach Willie Matson. “We got some excellent play, too ” Evan (Taylor) was great at everything; and Isiah Forney did a great job on defense.”
The Bucs struck first with a break-out move midway through the first quarter. Following the blocks through the left side of the line, Dillon Baxter swung out to the sideline and dashed 75 yards for the score.
Mission Bay could do no wrong in the second quarter, collecting three interceptions and a fumble while they scored four touchdowns.
Kevin Nash gathered in a fumble that led to a 6-yard scoring run by Victor Johnson.
An interception by Mario Arellano at the Santana 29-yard line set up the Bucs next score. Quarterback Taylor drove the ball in from the 1-yard line.
Johnson added a 2-point conversion.
Four minutes later, Lorance Davis intercepted a Sultan pass and returned it 35 yards to the 50.
In less than 2 minutes, a handoff to Sam Metu got the ball into the end zone again on a 7-yard run.
In the next play, Johnson intercepted a Sultan pass at the 30. Then in one play, Taylor connected with Baxter over the middle for another touchdown.
With a 33-0 half-time lead, the Bucs started to really have fun. Baxter and Taylor reversed positions for the first time this year ” Baxter took the snap and handed off to Taylor.
Taylor delivered the ball to the 3-yard line on a 48-yard run to set up the Bucs’ sixth score. Baxter delivered the touchdown while keeping the ball on a 3-yard sweep.
Late in the fourth quarter Santana managed to block a Buc punt and recover it on the 3. A swift pass play against more Buccaneer reserves let the Sultans avoid the shut out.
Santana was not able to sustain any offensive or defensive momentum. But they had great special teams. They managed to block two extra points and a punt while coming close to a block every time.
For the first time this year, the Bucs’ sophomore leading scorer and man of unlimited talent Baxter received the “You Rock” player-of-the-game award.
“Dillon just had a great overall game,” Matson said. “He stood out at everything, running back, receiver, quarterback ” he ran for more than 200 yards. You couldn’t ask for more.”
The Bucs’ semifinal Division IV CIF playoff game will see 8-2-1 Mission Bay take on 8-2 Madison High at Balboa Stadium on the San Diego High campus at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.