Walker, Cougars pick off another victory
- Updated: September 21, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
STEELE CANYON 21, OTAY RANCH 14
EastCountySports.com staff report
CHULA VISTA – The Steele Canyon Cougars used big passing plays and three interceptions by Antoine Walker in order to defeat Otay Ranch, 21-14, and remain undefeated at 4-0 following a non-league win on Friday night.
“They kept trying to throw at Antoine Walker but that’s not a good idea,” Steele Canyon head coach Scott Longerbone said. “He’s pretty good.”
Cougar quarterback Jeremy Mendez-Gal passed for a career-high 234 yards with two touchdowns as fifth-ranked Steele Canyon improved to 4-0.
The Mustangs scored the game’s first touchdown but Steele led 14-7 at the end of one quarter.
Chris Carter scored on a 10-yard run on a sweep to the right to tie the game just a few plays following Walker’s first pick of the night, which he returned 63 yards to the Otay 38.
Chance Johnson gave the Cougars the lead on a 31-yard touchdown reception later in the first quarter, which was set up by Walker’s second pick.
“It was a physical first half,” Longerbone said. “They had us in bad blitz situations a few times and took advantage. I was genuinely nervous. It was a good physical matchup.”
In the third quarter, Carter scored his second touchdown of the game on a 29-yard completion from Mendez-Gal. Carter had four receptions for 139 yards.
Isaac Carreno had three receptions for 66 yards for Steele Canyon.
The Cougars kept Otay Ranch (2-3) out of the end zone late in the game on a pass attempt.
Colton Guerrero led Steele Canyon with eight solo tackles, while teammate Luis Alvarado added seven solo stops and Johnson had six solo. Cam Ewert added five solo tackles.
Steele Canyon will host Mira Mesa next Friday at 7.
Freshman: Steele Canyon 13, Otay Ranch 9
Junior Varsity: Steele Canyon 2, Otay Ranch 0 (Cougars score only points on a safety.)
