Vista deals Oceanside first local loss in three years

The Vista Panthers and their Black Shirt defense proved that the Oceanside Pirates are not invincible.

Vista snubbed an Oceanside trick play in the final minute to upset perennial power Oceanside 27-21, dealing the Pirates their first loss to a San Diego CIF team in 42 games. The last time Oceanside came up short to a team in the section was in the 2007 opener when the Pirates succumbed to Helix 28-20.

Stefan McClure's interception in the end zone on a pass from Pirates slot Nate Small with 1:01 remaining preserved Vista's unblemished record at 4-0. The interception by McClure – who is being recruited by Colorado – closed out the seesaw affair.

Morse spoils Cavers' fast start
A season begging for a fairly-tale ending was derailed by Morse (San Diego) when the Tigers edged the Cavers of San Diego 30-29.

Hoping for a 4-0 start for the first time since 2001, San Diego saw that dream turn into a nightmare when Morse stuffed a two-point conversion attempt with 1:01 remaining.

What made this loss even more painful was the fact that San Diego soared to a 17-0 lead. Tre Roberts provided the spark for Morse. Held to 27 yards until the final minute of the first half, he broke a 40-yarder that set up the first Tigers score right before intermission. He then raced 53 yards on the first play of the second half and added a 49-yard scoring blast a little later, finishing with 209 yards on 23 carries.

Cathedral Catholic's 1-4 record misleading
Perennial power Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) has opened the season with losses in four of its first five starts, but has done so against arguably the toughest schedule in the CIF-SDS Section. Cathedral's losses have been to Steele Canyon (35-12), Torrey Pines (10-0), Helix (14-7) and Eastlake (24-22) — all Top 10 teams with a combined record of 17-1. The Dons' lone win is 16-6 over Carlsbad (2-2), which was ranked at the time.

St. Augustine’s Crower throwing strikes as usual
Evan Crower, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound senior southpaw, has passed for 1,001 yards and 14 touchdowns in propelling St. Augustine (San Diego) to a 4-1 start. Since taking the helm as a sophomore, Crower has passed for 6,359 yards and 75 touchdowns while completing 487 of 836 passes.

Two teams halt lengthy losing skids
San Pasqual (Escondido) snapped its 21-game losing streak with a 34-0 win over San Marcos. University City (San Diego) snapped its 22-game losing streak with a 20-10 win over El Centro Southwest.

Other top performances
– An all-league varsity basketball player playing in only his second high school football game, 6-foot-4, 200-pound Christian (El Cajon) junior Jason Gaines intercepted two passes and reeled in four catches for 59 yards, including a 25-yard scoring strike from quarterback Shane Dillon, in a 45-20 victory over El Cajon Valley.

— Kearny (San Diego) senior A.J. Vanderkuur scored all 32 of the Komets' points – five touchdowns and one two-point conversion run – in a victory over Clairemont.

— Senior defensive end Kenny Thomas returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown and also chalked up a sack, helping Valley Center (5-0) knock off Ramona 41-27.

— West Hills (Santee) senior DE-TE Steven Armstrong blocked a punt to set up what proved to be a victory-clinching field goal and also caught six passes for 50 yards as the Wolf Pack decked Patrick Henry 17-8.

— Mount Miguel (Spring Valley) quarterbacks Ernest Williams (9-for-12, 228 yards, three touchdowns) and Dee'Jay Nolen (12-for-16, 113 yards, touchdown) combined for 341 yards, which shattered the Matadors' record for passing yards of 307 set against Ramona in 2007.

— Senior running back Alec Fisher of Bishop's (La Jolla) scored five touchdowns as the Knights clipped Mission Bay 33-14.

— Matt Rochelle of Mt. Carmel (San Diego) stormed for 222 yards and four scores on 19 carries against Poway.

— El Capitan (Lakeside) southpaw pitcher-first baseman Troy Conyers has earned a berth on the USA Under-16 baseball team that will compete in Mexico for the Pan American championship.

Coming Attractions
These teams have been dueling for the symbolic Claymore Sword since 1957, with No. 6 Helix (La Mesa) (4-0) claiming a 37-15 edge (counting playoffs) over No. 9 Spring Valley Mount Miguel (5-0). However, the upstart Matadors plastered the Highlanders 44-21 last year, which was Mount Miguel's first win over Helix since 1987. They will meet Friday night in Spring Valley to again test their mettle.

Dickens Dealings
Much like one of the Major League Baseball mantras goes, "This is beyond football."

It was about the sudden death of a Mount Miguel player’s father and how Matadors head coach Tom Karlo and his staff handled the situation.

Jordan McDuffie, a senior starter at defensive end, was inserted into the Matadors' offensive lineup for the first time and eventually scored a touchdown on a 4-yard pass from quarterback Dee’Jay Nolen.

"The whole Mount Miguel program was saddened when Jordan's dad died on Sunday (Sept. 26)," Karlo said. "Because of that we didn't figure Jordan would be available for this game. But he showed up at Wednesday night's practice with his uncle and said he wanted to play. We as coaches were glad to have him and wanted to do something special for him."

Following the game McDuffie's relatives who were at the game made it a point to thank the coaches for giving a defensive player who is usually mired in the trenches a chance to share the spotlight.

"We're a family here at Mount Miguel," Karlo said. "We care about every person involved in the program and if we can do something to make their lives a little bit better we're willing to do it."

This was obviously a kind gesture. More than that, though, it was nothing but class by Karlo and his staff.