Mission Bay stepped out to a three-touchdown lead in the first quarter as the Buccaneers dominated the visiting San Diego High football squad Friday, Nov. 9. The Bucs offense earned five touchdowns while their defense held the Cavers to one during the 35-6 victory to close out Mission Bay’s regular season schedule.
“I’m really proud of these guys today,” said Mission Bay head coach Willie Matson. “The starting units did a great job establishing the game and taking control.”
San Diego took the opening kickoff. But on their first play, Buccaneer senior Mario Arellano stepped in front of a Caver pass for an interception at midfield.
Buccaneer quarterback Evan Taylor then delivered a 40-yard pass to senior wide receiver Gabe Martinez to spark Mission Bay’s first possession.
With less than a minute run off the clock, the Bucs handed off to leading scorer Dillon Baxter, who hammered in the final five yards for the touchdown.
Midway through the quarter senior Lorance Davis grabbed an interception that set up another score.
Senior running back Victor Johnson got the call at the four-yard line and delivered the ball into the end zone.
On the Bucs’ next possession, Taylor faked the screen, then handed off to Johnson, who charged up the middle 15 yards for the Bucs’ third score of the opening quarter.
Senior placekicker Carlos Sanchez added his third of five precise extra point kicks.
The Bucs began making substitutions for the starters in the second quarter. Midway through the period, San Diego earned their only score on a 19-yard pass. But they swarmed the line on the extra point and were able to block the Cavers’ attempt.
Mission Bay answered when Johnson battled down to the 3-yard line with a determined run that set up the next score. Taylor banged in the last three yards on the keeper.
A lot of clean jerseys saw action in the second half, but it was Baxter who added an 8-yard run for the touchdown to cap a drive engineered by reserve quarterback Qualin Simmons.
“It was great that the whole team got to play. It made it an especially fun game,” Matson said. “Everyone stepped up and did their part.”
The “You Rock” player-of-the-game award went to senior defender Willie Washington.
“Willie has played really good the last three games,” Matson added. “He had 15 tackles last week and about that many today ” he’s just a real consistent contributor to winning.”
The playoff picture was painted at the “seeding-meeting” Nov. 10. The 7-2-1 Bucs are in Division IV of the CIF playoffs as the No. 1 seed.
All eight playoff teams get next week off. The Bucs will return to action the day after Thanksgiving Friday. Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. on their home field against Santana (4-6).
Last season. Santa Fe Christian High defeated the Bucs in the Division IV championship game in Qualcomm Stadium. This year they are unseeded. La Jolla is No. 2 followed by Valley Center and Mater Dei (formerly Marion Catholic).