Pirates edge Matadors for upset

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 30, 2025

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

OCEANSIDE 26, MOUNT MIGUEL 25

EastCountySports.com

OCEANSIDE – The Mount Miguel Matadors saw their three-game winning streak come to an end Friday night in heartbreaking fashion, falling 26-25 to the Oceanside Pirates after surrendering the lead in the final minute at Simcox Field.

Ranked No. 8 in San Diego County, the Matadors (4-2) entered the matchup battle-tested, having already knocked off top-10 foes San Marcos, Loyola of Los Angeles, Torrey Pines, and Poway.

But against a Pirates team (2-3) that had endured one of the county’s most unforgiving schedules, the Matadors’ miscues and Oceanside’s persistence proved costly.

Oceanside started fast, stringing together a 45-yard drive that ended with a touchdown run from SJ Poumele midway through the first quarter.

After a failed two-point attempt, the Pirates struck again early in the second quarter when sophomore quarterback Anthony Barquinero scored on the first play of the frame.

Minutes later, a Mount Miguel special-teams mishap set up Oceanside deep in Matador territory, and sophomore running back Neke Letuli capitalized, powering into the end zone for a 19-6 Pirates advantage.

The Matadors answered behind the arm of junior quarterback Jeremiah Loper. He connected with senior wideout A.J. Logan on a scoring strike late in the first half, but a missed PAT kept Mount Miguel chasing points.

After halftime, Loper and the Matadors’ passing game found their rhythm. He fired a quick hitch to senior Parris Vernon for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 19-12.

Then, early in the fourth quarter, Logan reeled in his second touchdown grab of the night, knotting the game at 19-19 after kicker Jace Ettleman’s extra point.

With just over four minutes left, Logan broke loose again, this time hauling in a 50-yard slant from Loper for his third score of the game. The touchdown gave Mount Miguel its first lead, 25-19.

But the Pirates weren’t finished.

On a desperate drive with less than a minute to go, Barquinero lofted a 31-yard pass down the sideline, where senior Kymani Nua made a contested catch in one-on-one coverage with just 53 seconds remaining.

Nua, who had earlier missed on a two-point try, drilled the go-ahead PAT to put Oceanside back on top, 26-25.

Mount Miguel finished with 368 total yards to Oceanside’s 276, but the Pirates’ ground attack proved decisive. Letuli carried 24 times for a career-high 154 yards, including a long of 52, while Poumele added 73 yards and a 34-yard touchdown run.

For the Matadors, Loper completed 11-of-24 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns.

Logan caught seven passes for 151 yards and three scores, continuing his recent hot streak with multiple touchdowns for the third straight game.

Junior running back Jayden Hunter contributed 83 rushing yards on 12 carries, his fourth outing this season over 80 yards.

Despite the setback, Mount Miguel has shown it can stand toe-to-toe with the county’s best, but special-teams struggles and missed PATs loomed large in the one-point defeat, which probably is considered an upset.

The Matadors will turn their focus to their Grossmont Hills League opener at Helix next Friday at 7 p.m., while Oceanside, buoyed by back-to-back wins, will look to carry momentum into another tough test against San Marcos.