By Bill Dickens
MaxPreps.com
Morse High, a one-time CIF San Diego Section power from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, has fallen on hard times over the past decade.
The Tigers, however, finally got a chance to roar as they snapped a 25-game losing streak Friday, Oct. 3 by knocking off San Diego 37-17.
It was the first win since 2005 for the hungry Tigers.
The reaction of the Morse players, fans and coaches was something usually reserved for winning a championship. By any account, winning took a large load of pressure off the backs of the Morse football team.
“It was a big gorilla, it wasn’t a monkey,” Morse first-year head coach Rex Calvin told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
It was a fast-and-loose style game that featured 14 turnovers. But none of that mattered to the Tigers (1-4) who were led by junior Malik Ransom. The Morse receiver-defensive back made three interceptions. In addition, sophomore Karl Mickelsen chipped in with a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Oceanside stretches win streak to 16
The Pirates pushed another foe off the plank, blowing out visiting San Marcos 42-7 on Friday, Oct. 3 for their 16th consecutive victory. It was the same old story for Oceanside (4-0) as Colorado-bound quarterback Jordan Wynn went 11-for-19 for 264 yards and three touchdowns in little more than two quarters. There is one question mark in the Pirates’ huddle – the running game. Oceanside has yet to have a 100-yard rusher in its first four games.
Passing spree can’t save Braves
El Cajon Valley quarterback Isaac Soliz completed 29-of-46 passes for 362 yards and touchdown strikes of 72 to Peter Alkass and 14 yards to Gavino Pinal as the Braves suffered their first loss in five decisions, 31-17, to Spring Valley Monte Vista on Friday, Oct. 3. The Braves’ final 32 plays in the second half were all passes.
La Costa Canyon no Maverick
The game plan is basically simple. The Mavericks of La Costa Canyon planned an all-out aerial assault against Rancho Buena Vista. It was a successful mission as LCC quarterback Sebastian Frausto completed 18-of-33 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Frausto tacked on one scoring junket as the Mavericks mauled the Mustangs 47-3.
Seale real deal
Escondido’s Ricky Seale feels at home playing at Rancho Bernardo High. Three years after leading Rancho Bernardo's Midget Pop Warner football team to the national championship, the junior running back made a triumphant return to the Broncos’ “Friendly Confines,” rushing for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars 42-10 win over the Broncos.
More Top Performances
— Helix quarterback Ty Culver amassed 253 yards total offense while passing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more in the Highlanders 49-0 rout of West Hills.
— Ally Arcibal of Rancho Buena Vista field hockey scored a goal in the Mustangs 2-1 win over La Costa Canyon and punched in a goal and a pair of assists in a 7-0 rout of Mission Hills.
— Wide receiver Clinton Parker of Escondido’s Calvin Christian made seven catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He also booted five PATs in a 35-12 win over Borrego Springs.
— Sophomore middle blocker Lauren Birks, who registered more than 90 kills, led La Jolla Country Day to the Scripps Ranch Volleyball Tournament championship.
— Carlsbad junior golfer Rachel Morris was the medalist in three matches for the Lancers, topped by a 4-under 32 in a win over Oceanside.
Looking Ahead
— Torrey Pines is hosting a premier volleyball event, the California Challenge, on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 10-11). The event includes seven of the top 20 teams in the nation, according to PrepVolleyball.com. Included among the elite is No. 1 La Costa Canyon, No. 2 San Jose Archbishop Mitty, and No. 13 Manhattan Beach Mira Costa. Pool play begins Friday at Torrey Pines, Santa Fe Christian and Coast Volleyball Club. Matches begin at 3 p.m. The championship is slated for a 5 p.m. start on Saturday.
— Julian High will host Foothills Christian Friday night (Oct. 10) in what will be the Eagles’ first football night game in history. Julian is bringing in portable lights to allow for a 7 o’clock kickoff.
Dickens Dealings
Those who vote in polls realize that these rankings are little more than fantasy, for the sake of argument. It’s more speculation than concrete information.
Sometimes, however, the revelation results in outrage as to how the votes stack up.
Case in point is the CIF San Diego Section where the perennial champion Oceanside Pirates are currently rated No. 1 over runaway train Cathedral Catholic. Granted, the top-ranked Pirates have done nothing to taint their lusty rating.
By the same token, Cathedral Catholic has clobbered all of those to cross its path and rightly should claim the top rating rung. Too bad the Pirates and Dons have no chance of meeting head-to-head this season.