Opening Weekend Highlights
The first weekend of high school football in San Diego County delivered a cascade of excitement, from Oceanside’s daring trick‑play victory over Granite Hills to Mission Hills’ 47‑3 demolition of El Camino. Several teams posted shutouts, while others rallied in the fourth quarter to snatch narrow wins.
Oceanside’s quarterback Anthony Barquinero set up a game‑clinching touchdown by handing the ball to wide receiver Kapena Sado, who finished with three receiving scores and 88 yards. The trick play not only secured a 44‑29 win but also showcased the team’s creative spark.
Mission Hills rode a stellar performance from quarterback Furian Inferra, who threw three touchdowns and added two rushing scores, while Brayden Roberson caught six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The 47‑3 victory marked one of the most lopsided openers in recent memory.
Other notable results included La Costa Canyon’s 35‑0 shutout of Central Union, Rancho Bernardo’s comeback to beat St. Augustine 28‑24, and West Hills’ 28‑13 triumph over Chula Vista, where Evan Dill rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns. Poway, Escondido Charter and La Jolla Country Day also posted dominant opening‑week performances.
Special teams and defensive plays added further drama, with Point Loma’s Ryder Watson throwing for four touchdowns and rushing for two, and Hoover’s Hez Manuel completing 25 of 32 passes for six scores. Mountain Empire’s 39‑0 victory over Anza Hamilton featured Elisha Robinson’s two rushing touchdowns and Chance Ross’s three passing scores.
The weekend also saw surprise upsets, such as Del Norte’s 29‑28 win over Mater Dei Catholic and Steele Canyon’s 7‑3 victory over San Diego, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the season’s early slate.