Hamilton, Matadors make early stand against Spartans
- Updated: August 29, 2015
Mt. Miguel highlights vs Chula VistaThe Matadors of Mount Miguel High School defeated the Chula Vista Spartans. Read the story here: http://www.eastcountysports.com/2015/08/29/15-week1-mm/
Posted by East County Sports.com on Saturday, August 29, 2015
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (8-29-15) — Mount Miguel capitalized on three early fumbles by Chula Vista for a 21-0 lead in Friday’s (Aug. 28) non-league game, and scored on their first six possessions to take to a 35-3 halftime lead.
After that the Matadors went into glide control and pulled off a 44-24 victory over the South Bay Spartans.
It was a glittering night of stars with a near full moon shining in Mount Miguel’s favor. Senior running back ANTOINE HAMILTON, who scored on junkets of 4 yards, 3 yards and 4 yards, helped the Matadors turn the game into an apparent blowout.
“I run aggressively because I really don’t like to be tackled,” said Hamilton, who rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries.
Matadors coach SHAUN McDADE noted that Hamilton “is a very special player. He’s an expert at running downhill.”
ANTHONY GILMORE closed the first half scoring by reeling in a 65-yard touchdown pass from quarterback BENNY VALADEZ.
“It came down that we had more speed than they did,” said Gilmore who rushed for 36 yards on seven carries and finished with 130 all-purpose yards.
After Mount Miguel denied Chula Vista a score on a goal line stand on the final play of the first half, the Matadors unleashed another lightning bolt when senior wide out KIKO BORJA returned the second half kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
“I trusted my coaches when they told me at halftime where (the Spartans) would kick the ball,” Borja said. “Once I got my hands on the ball I let it flow.”
Borja plays both sides of the ball, making four tackles on the defensive side. He also had a 42-yard punt return.
“I’m really excited about stats – in fact I even count them during the game,” he said.
Mount Miguel QB Valadez connected on 9 of 15 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. He hooked up with six receivers.
Defensive back MIKE JONES, who is being recruited by Fresno State, SDSU, Dixie State, Portland State and Western New Mexico among others, demonstrated why he has a future among the college ranks. Jones had four tackles, recovered a fumble and forced a second to spearhead the Mount Miguel defense.
“I’m proud of our defense because we do what we do best,” Jones said.
JOURIE BAZILE was in on five stops as was DAMIEN YERENA. Yerena also had an interception.
McDADE was pleased with his club’s opening night performance.
“In the first half we executed extremely well,” McDade said. “Our defense gave us a lot of short fields and that made it easier to score. My only complaint was we had too many penalties.”
MATADORS TAKE THE WIN FOR JV AND VARSITY! 🔴⚪⚫ Great job to the Mount Miguel football team! pic.twitter.com/zyIwe5YEHk
— The Mount ASB (@TheMountASB) August 29, 2015
