SPRING VALLEYSPRING VALLEY — There’s something special happening at Mt. Miguel, and it’s real.
The Matadors proved their legitimacy as a force to be reckoned with, soundly defeating visiting Chula Vista 49-0 Friday night in a non-league contest.
“Different place, same story,” said first-year Mt. Miguel coach Verlain Betofe, who’s been involved with winning teams his whole career as an assistant coach at Madison, Lincoln, Kearny and Mater Dei Catholic. “We had a few media people out there picking against us and we took it personally. We wanted to show all the hard work these kids have been doing is paying off.”
Each step of the way Betofe has been able to put together and direct a wide-open, high-scoring offense — and the Matadors are no different.
Two players in particular stuck out for Mt. Miguel: Jeremiah Castillo and Matthew Barton.
Castillo made an impact on both sides of the ball. Offensively he pulled down five es for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively he picked off a Chula Vista late in the first half and raced 40 yards up his own sideline for another score.
“I think we’re for real,” said the 5-foot-10, 165 pound senior wide receiver/cornerback. “Coach V and the rest of our coaches are so committed to us. He has so much energy and he’s there for us in everything, including discipline.”
Of course, Castillo needed someone to get him the ball, and that where Barton comes in.
The senior, who threw for 2,298 yards last year, was almost perfect for the Matadors (2-0). Before he threw his first incomplete on the night, Barton was 7-for-7 with three TDs. On the night he completed 13 of 16 for 327 yards and four TDs.
“We’re a lot more diverse than we were last year,” explained Barton. “I love this offense. We’re super explosive. Our ing opens up our run and our run opens up the .”
It took Mt. Miguel just 28 seconds into the game to score. A 43-yard run by Davian McGowan on the first play from scrimmage set up the first Barton-Castillo strike of the night for a 22-yard score on the second play.
The Spartans (1-1) looked to answer right back. Driving all the way from their own 42 down to the Mt. Miguel 7. Three times on the 14-play drive Chula Vista went for it on fourth downs. They were successful on the first two, but Delontay Williams’ hit on the 15 ended the threat.
That’s when Barton went back to work. First he hit McGowan for a 12 yard score, then Williams on a 33-yard scoring strike, only to be followed up by a 6-yard pitch on an option play for another TD by McGowan for a 28-0 lead with 1:18 left in the half.
Castillo’s interception return took the Matadors into the locker room with the 35-0 lead at intermission.
Castillo and Barton combined to add two more second-half TDs on es of 12 and 72 yards.
La’Darrione Perkins led the effort for the Spartans on the night, rushing for 97 yards on 12 carries.
Nonleague
Mt. Miguel 49, Chula Vista 0
At Mt. Miguel High
Chula Vista – 0 0 0 0 – 0
Mt. Miguel – 6 29 14 0 – 49
MtM – Castillo 22 from Barton (run failed)
MtM – McCowan 12 from Barton (Armenta from Barton)
MtM – Williams 33 from Barton (Castro kick)
MtM – McGowan 6 run (Castro kick)
MtM – Castillo 40 interception return (Castro kick)t
MtM – Castillo 12 from Barton (Amador kick)
MtM – Castillo 72 from Barton (Amador kick)
