Titans overwhelm overmatched Matadors

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

Poway comes out hot; Lopez scores twice for Matadors

No. 16 POWAY 42, MOUNT MIGUEL 12

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY — Mount Miguel found more room for its running game Friday night. Finding a way to keep the game within reach remains the larger challenge.

The Matadors surrendered three first-quarter rushing touchdowns and trailed 35-0 at halftime before Dominic Lopez scored twice in the second half of a 42-12 loss to No. 16 Poway.

Lopez rushed for 78 yards on 18 carries, led Mount Miguel with six tackles and intercepted a pass, providing production on both sides of the ball during another difficult assignment for the Matadors (1-3).

Poway (3-2) ended a two-game losing streak with an offense that delivered touchdowns on the ground and through the air. Carson Williams ran for two scores, Rowan Marcos supplied a 47-yard touchdown run, and Trenton Schrecker threw three touchdown passes, two to Trevor Murphy.

For Mount Miguel, the result followed a 44-6 loss at Torrey Pines and sent the Matadors into their bye week with consecutive defeats by a combined 86-18. First-year coach James Simon now has an extra week to prepare his team for a Grossmont Hills League opener at Helix.

There was improvement in one area that had nearly disappeared against Torrey Pines. Mount Miguel rushed for 112 yards on 23 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt, after managing only three rushing yards the previous week.

But the passing game produced just 78 yards, leaving the Matadors with 190 yards of total offense. Their two touchdowns came after Poway had built its five-touchdown cushion.

Williams opened the scoring on an 8-yard run. Marcos followed with his 47-yard burst, and Williams scored again from 33 yards to help put Poway ahead 21-0 after one quarter.

That early success allowed the Titans to establish the game on their terms. Mount Miguel needed stops to give its offense time to respond; instead, Poway added two passing touchdowns before halftime.

Schrecker connected with Levi Graham for a 9-yard score, then found Murphy for a 33-yard touchdown. Nathan Dann converted both extra points, completing a perfect first half for the Titans’ kicking game and making it 35-0.

Lopez put Mount Miguel on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The two-point rushing attempt failed.

Poway answered with Schrecker’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Murphy, extending the lead to 42-6. Dann finished 6-for-6 on extra points.

Lopez added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the Matadors’ final points. A two-point pass attempt was unsuccessful.

Freshman Amare White completed 5 of 6 passes for 44 yards and rushed twice for 10 yards. Junior Enrique Gonzalez finished 3 of 10 for 34 yards with an interception. Mount Miguel also lost a fumble.

Cayden “Prince” Mobley caught five passes for 50 yards, while freshman Sean Miller Jr. added two receptions for 21 yards. Sophomore David Watt gained 24 yards on three carries and caught a 7-yard pass.

Defensively, Isaiah Hicks had four tackles, including two for losses. Sophomore Brandon Reed also made two tackles for losses among his three stops. Khyree Teartt and Tylan Young-Hall finished with four tackles apiece, with Teartt adding a tackle for loss. Raymond Dobbs also stopped a play behind the line.

Mount Miguel has allowed 167 points in four games. The second-half scoring and improved rushing output offer something to build upon, but preventing another early separation will be essential when league play begins.

Mobley finds yards beyond the passing game

Poway limited Cayden “Prince” Mobley to 50 receiving yards, but Mount Miguel’s junior continued to contribute in the return game.

Mobley returned two kickoffs for 68 yards and a punt for 35 yards, finishing with 153 all-purpose yards. His 103 return yards more than doubled his receiving output and gave the Matadors another way to benefit from his ability with the ball.

Khyree Teartt added a 36-yard punt return, and Trey Daniels Norman returned a kickoff 35 yards. Mount Miguel totaled 174 yards on five kick and punt returns, an area of productivity on a night when its offense struggled to keep pace.

Balance brings Poway back above .500

Poway’s response to consecutive losses against San Marcos and Carlsbad included three rushing touchdowns, three passing touchdowns and four different touchdown scorers.

Williams and Murphy scored twice apiece, while Marcos and Graham each reached the end zone. Three of the touchdowns covered at least 33 yards, giving Poway the big plays needed to separate early and keep adding to its lead.

The Titans scored 35 points before halftime, already more than the 21 they produced in their previous two games combined. Their defense held Mount Miguel scoreless through two quarters and limited the Matadors to 78 passing yards for the game.

NEXT UP: MOUNT MIGUEL at HELIX

The Matadors are idle Friday, Sept. 25, then visit Helix on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. to open Grossmont Hills League play. Helix is 3-2 after a 24-19 loss to Cathedral Catholic. Mount Miguel’s extra preparation time comes before another demanding test, with sustaining offense and avoiding an early deficit the priorities.

NEXT UP: POWAY vs. EL CAMINO

The Titans also have a bye before hosting El Camino on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. in their Avocado East League opener. The Wildcats are currently 0-4 following a 43-21 loss to Apple Valley and visit Vista Murrieta on Sept. 25 before traveling to Poway.

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter: P — Williams 8 run (Dann kick); P — Marcos 47 run (Dann kick); P — Williams 33 run (Dann kick).

Second quarter: P — Graham 9 pass from Schrecker (Dann kick); P — Murphy 33 pass from Schrecker (Dann kick).

Third quarter: MM — Lopez 3 run (run failed); P — Murphy 11 pass from Schrecker (Dann kick).

Fourth quarter: MM — Lopez 1 run (pass failed).

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