Matadors win CIFSDS D4 championship
- Updated: November 26, 2023
2023 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
CIF-San Diego Section
Division 4 Championship
By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior Writer
CHULA VISTA – Back in 1960, when Mount Miguel and Escondido high schools captured inaugural CIF San Diego Section football championships, there were minor flaws to their respective crowns.
For the Matadors, more than 60 years later, the performance to the title was flawless.
In a rematch from an early season meeting in August, Mount Miguel repeated with a dominating performance.
Fueled by five touchdown passes by quarterback Matthew Barton, the squad taken over by first-year head coach Verlain Betofe raced to a 35-0 cushion, romping to a 35-14 verdict over Chula Vista in Friday (Nov. 24) afternoon’s finale at Southwestern College’s Devore Stadium.
Add the 49-0 whitewash in Week 2, Mount Miguel (12-1 overall) capped the best win-loss record in school history by rolling up 84 unanswered points before a pair of late, cosmetic points long after the championship plaque was being inscribed with the Matadors insignia.
Barton’s five scoring passes set a school postseason record for a program that traditionally rushed the football since the Eisenhower administration.
Three of Barton’s TD connections went to senior Jeremiah Castillo, including scoring strikes of 22 and 11 yards for a quick 14-0 lead through the opening 12 minutes.
Barton then connected with sophomore Parris Vernon on TD strikes of 22 and 19 yards in the second quarter for a 28-0 cushion.
Chula Vista attempted to force the issue by also throwing the ball to open the second half, but sophomore safety Vincent Proyor registered an interception in the opening moments of the half.
And when Barton found Castillo for a third time on the ensuing possession — a victory-clinching 46-yard bomb — for a 35-point advantage, fans from the greater Spring Valley area could start celebrating.
Because the title came against Chula Vista only added to historic significance.
When the Matadors finally played its first on-campus home game in 1959 — two seasons after utilizing Helix High as its temporary home — the first game was a disappointing loss to Chula Vista.
Then in 1960, Mount Miguel dropped its league opener to the Spartans, not securing a playoff berth until the final day of the regular season. It was only victory for Chula Vista (1-8) all season.
The Matadors then nipped La Jolla, 7-6, in the semifinals, then trounced Vista, 40-13, for the crown.
The victory also capped four straight winning season to open the program — no East County school has more than two after starting varsity competition.
Mount Miguel advances to the CIF Southern California regional. Pairings are expecteded to be announce on Sunday. The Matadors are expecting to be among the top seeds.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Barton completed 17=of-27 passes for 202 yards. The team also rushed for 99 yards for a total offense count of 301 yards.
Castillo had four receptions for 88 yards, including easily skipping past the defense in becoming wide open for his final score.
The defense registered three picks, including thefts by Castillo, Proyor and Dominic Lopez.
Summary
(At Southwestern College)
Fri., Nov. 24 – Championship
Division 4 – Championship
Mount Miguel 35, Chula Vista, 14
MATADORS 35, SPARTANS 14 Chula Vista (10-3) ..... 0 0 0 14 — 14 Mount Miguel (11-1).., .14 14 7 0 — 35
First Quarter
MM — Castillo 22 pass from Barton (Castro kick)
MM — Castillo 11 pass from Barton (Castro kick)
Second Quarter
MM — Vernon 22 pass from Barton (Castro kick)
MM — Vernon 19 pass from Barton (Castro kick)
hird Quarter
MM — Castillo 46 pass from Barton (Castro kick)
Fourth Quarter
CV — Gillespie 9 pass from Baca (pass failed)
CV — Perkins 46 run (Gillespie pass from Baca)
