PREP FOOTBALL: Vista opens playoffs with easy win over Otay Ranch
Panthers prove unstoppable against Mustangs
By GREG BALL - For The North County Times | ∞
Vista's Stefan McClure, left, hauls in a touchdown catch in the second quarter against Otay Ranch on Friday night. Photo by John Koster - For The North County Times. VISTA ---- When the CIF San Diego Section Division I football playoff pairings were announced last week, members of Vista High's team might not have been thrilled to learn that they were positioned directly opposite the bracket's top seed.
After their fourth consecutive win, however ---- this one a 35-0 drubbing of Otay Ranch in the first round Friday night ---- next week's quarterfinals matchup with La Costa Canyon can't come quickly enough.
Click here for boxscore
Vista dominated in all facets of the game Friday, and appears to be playing its best football heading into its biggest game. The Panthers will visit the Mavericks, who earned a first-round bye, next Friday at 7 p.m. riding a swell of confidence.
"I don't think it's just this game in particular," Vista coach Dan Williams said. "We've played great in our last four games. We're putting up points, we're shutting people out, and we're where we want to be at this time of year."
The Panthers (7-4) moved the ball with machine-like precision against Otay Ranch.
Quarterback David Fisher completed all four of his passes, connecting for two touchdowns and totaling 118 yards, and Jordan Alexander rushed 13 times for 113 yards and two scores.
The Panthers shut out an opponent for the third straight game, allowing Otay Ranch (5-5-1) just 96 total yards.
And their special teams play was sharp, as they disrupted a Mustangs punt on the game's opening series and took the ball for the first time at their opponent's 5-yard line, setting up a two-play scoring drive that set the tone for a one-sided contest.
"We've been playing our black shirt defense," said Adrian Del Castillo, who raced in from his cornerback position and tackled punter Niall Wilkinson for a 12-yard loss to position the Panthers for an easy first score. "We're playing great defense right now."
Alexander punctuated Vista's first drive with a 3-yard burst through the line, and after the Panthers snuffed out the Mustangs' 14-play drive on the ensuing possession and forced them to turn the ball over on downs, the hosts were off to the races ---- literally.
Del Castillo outran Mustangs defensive back Samuel Smith down the right sideline and hauled in a perfectly placed Fisher pass for a 69-yard score.
Fisher connected with Stefan McClure for a 21-yard touchdown on Vista's next possession, and the Panthers closed out the half with short rushing scores from Ofisa Kose and Alexander.
Alexander was happy with how the offense moved the ball, and said the hot streak the Panthers have suddenly caught puts them in a good position against La Costa Canyon next week.
"Our linemen were making great decisions, and guys were doing a good job reading the holes," he said. "It was just great execution.
"It's definitely a challenge (next week), but we're going to treat it like any other game and keep doing what we've been doing the last four games."
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Black Shirt Defense wrote on Nov 21, 2008 11:33 PM:LCC is in trouble. the way that Vista has been playing over the last 4 games, no one can stop them. The black shirt defense has only allowed 10 points in the last 4 games and gave 3 shutouts. The offense is going good. they are scoring points week in and week out. LCC is in for a big surprise coming in next friday.
Black Shirt D wrote on Nov 21, 2008 11:48 PM:We are so very proud of our Vista Panthers! Congratulations to our boys and coaches!
Marcello wrote on Nov 22, 2008 4:03 AM:Congratulations to the Vista Panthers and give credit to the Freshman Coaches of Last Year for developing players who scored yesterday and played defense. The freshman coaching staff put in a lot of work, please Vista Panther Community give them credit, they also develop the talent you will see in the Q after they win this week. Congrats and Thank You.
Tamasi wrote on Nov 22, 2008 4:11 AM:NOW THATS BIG RED FOOTBALL WE'RE USED TO.GREAT JOB BOYS BUT THE WORK AINT DONE..YOU HAVE 3 MORE GAMES.LETS FINISH UP THE SEASON STRONG.LA COSTA BETTER BE VERY WORRIED,WE ARE HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME!!BE CONFIDENT BUT NOT COCKY...
Erik wrote on Nov 22, 2008 7:50 AM:That was the best half of football I've seen from a Panther team in a long, long time.
Injuries made the 2nd half a little concerning, as key players like Ofisa Kose, David Fisher, and Danielson Sialoi had to leave the game, but the defense continued to shut down Otay Ranch and kept the game out of reach.
The Panther coaches came in with a great game plan and the players executed it to near perfection.
Now it's on to one of the biggest challenges of the year, but remember, the Panthers can beat ANY team when they have a good game plan and the players execute it well and play hard.
Play hard, play smart, and you guys can beat anyone (and everyone).
But don't get overconfident! Look forward to the challenge, stay focused, and take it to LCC!!
the real Maverick wrote on Nov 22, 2008 8:00 AM:i wonder if John McCain will be at the game since he is a maverick. "good luck my friends"
To the real maverick wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:04 AM:McCain is a Maverick. Do you realize he LOST!!!!!!! the biggest event of his life by a landslide!!!!
TE wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:21 AM:Loved this game....can't wait to see you guys next week! It is such a pleasure to watch you all pull together and come up with some exciting plays that keep us fans on our feet! Great night guys! And good luck to the band at Championships in Corona! You all look terrific! AND - didn't miss the eggs on our heads this week either - :-) Thanks Otay for being good sports.
To Marcello wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:59 AM:Odd comment to make. The credit should go to our players and Varsity coaches and parents. What a strange comment to make. We certainly support our freshman coaches and appreciate all they do, but frankly last night was about last night and the strength and tradition of BIG RED Football.
lcc by 20 wrote on Nov 22, 2008 1:36 PM:vista wont stop lcc. vista played in a week league thats why they have those shutouts. the coaching staff will crumble against lccs high power offense. stick to playing your league oppenents and stay away from the real schools. vista will choke away the game led by their coaching staff
jayman wrote on Nov 22, 2008 1:49 PM:Congratulations to Vista. They played a great game last night. Hats off to them. But don't get ahead of yourself. LCC isn't Otay Ranch. It will be a good season if Vista can keep it close against LCC. Vista is a good team, but LCC is clearly at a different level right now. Good luck.
fan wrote on Nov 22, 2008 4:45 PM:Go Panthers Go!!!
Much more Pride & Honor shown last night.....VERY PROUD!!
Way to go KOSE....I hope you are good!!
leesha wrote on Nov 22, 2008 6:17 PM:that a way boys...
good job....make coach proud and take it all the way to the Q...show emm how vista football dose it...
GO BIG RED...
VISTA GOT HEART <3
to lcc by 20 wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:23 PM:that isn't very nice to talk about vista's coaching staff like that--vista kick some maverick booty! p.s. all the teams are weak this year, including lcc; although, you two may be playing to find out who is the best of the weak :-)
Vista by 7 wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:32 PM:if you compare both teams side by side, there wouldn't be that much of a difference. Both teams were able to beat Escondido and both teams were defeated by mission Viejo. If Vista had the schedule LCC had, they would have gone 8-2 also. LCC is just overrated. this would be anything by a blowout.
FAN wrote on Nov 23, 2008 2:33 AM:vista IS GOING TO WIN!!!!!!
LET'S GO BOY'S!!!!
WE LOVE AND RESPEVT YOU>..>>ALWAYS!!!
LCC Fan wrote on Nov 23, 2008 7:41 AM:Congratulations Vista! Beating inferior teams always gets me jacked up! Better have your A game and no injuries to key players because next friday you gonna need all the help you can get! Go Mavs!
LCC Fan wrote on Nov 23, 2008 8:52 AM:Congrats Vista Panthers! I always get amped up when we crush inferior teams! Bring your A game to our house and no excuses about injuries to key players! Scoreboard. Go Mavs!
To Vista by 7 wrote on Nov 23, 2008 8:58 AM:How can you say that Vista would have won 8 games if they played the same schedule as LCC. Remember, they lost to Carlsbad( LCC won by 48), Mira Mesa a team which was just beat by Fallbrook( another team LCC beat handly), and Poway, who is not exactly killing people.Santa Margereta Killed them. If Vista played LCC's schedule they would have gone 6-4 at best and maybe 5-5. Not saying vista is bad, but the Avocado league is much tougher. Most likely Esco vs LCC for the crown.
keep dreaming vista wrote on Nov 23, 2008 2:24 PM:vista u guys shut out the worst tems in your league!we are gonna show your defense a real defense.lets see who is gonna be able to cover kenny stills!certainly not #2 or #7.
to black shirt defense wrote on Nov 23, 2008 10:30 PM:your defense looks like swiss cheese all carved up by a decent team-now heres a real team to play and it wont be close!! Not enough firepower for the Panthers is a shame. NOT!!! LCC 35-7
above wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:55 AM:all you guys hate on teams just because your all to old to ge out there and play yourself..if LCC is that good then they win.but i don't see it being a landslide i see it being a close game to the end.also i belive that.LCC is all kenny stills if vista stops him thats the game wraped up. but good luck to both the teams because they are going to need it!!!
Angel wrote on Nov 24, 2008 4:00 PM:Keep it real people.......you ever hear the phrase "any given Sunday" ??? This will be a very good game, especially since Vista is in it !! I guess the haterade they serve at LCC is now being sold at a store near you !!! seeing as there's so much "hating" going on !!! Vista goes to play......4 quaters boys !!! Play to the whistle !! Anyone see the play-off game against Carlsbad in 2001 ??? Carlsbad "and" Vista fans started leaving thinking Vista lost, and we pulled it out in the very last seconds of the game !!!! Just play 4 quarters boys.....and leave it all on the field !!!
Desiree wrote on Nov 24, 2008 6:11 PM:all i have to say is PLAY THE GAME!
and have fun boys...
lets see you comes out on TOP.
GO VISTA PANTHERS! AND BLACK SHIRT DEFENSE!
kick some maverick booty. =]]
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