Sports

Rivals competing for division title and respect

Bonita Vista vs. Hilltop among championship games Saturday

By Iván Orozco2011-03-05T00:38:20+00:00

CHULA VISTA -They've met twice earlier this season. They know their styles of play very well. Bonita Vista and Hilltop High are Mesa League boys soccer rivals.

Both teams are regarded as two of the top programs in the South Bay. But only one will represent South County as a CIF San Diego Section champion this season.

The Barons (18-6-1) face the Lancers (24-3-1) Saturday in the Division II title match at Cathedral Catholic High School. It is expected to be more than a routine match-up between bitter rivals. Not only is there pride at stake but also the pressure from outside the school to represent the only school from the South Bay to be in a position to claim a title this season.

"There is no pressure put on them from the coaches. We want them to play the game they love and not to worry about the outside issues," said Hilltop coach John Salts.

"As a coach, we try to shoulder those types of pressures. As a team from the South Bay, we seem to always be fighting for equal press time and respect, which normally goes to the East and North County schools."

It is not often that schools from south of State Route 94 get a shot at a section title. But things have begun to change. Teams from the south have won a championship the last three seasons.

Castle Park went on a magical run last year to win the Division III title. Mater Dei Catholic clinched the Division IV championship and went on to win the Southern California Regional tournament. Sweetwater also took a section title in 2008.

So, to have two teams from the Mesa League can be considered a surprising result.

Expect a hard-fought match between teams that like to impose their will.

Hilltop beat Bonita Vista twice this year, 2-0 at home and 2-1 on the road.

But the regular season doesn't matter now.

"Bonita will be an extremely exciting and tough match," Salts said. "They have a wonderful program over there with Jason Murphy and they are a great team.

We will have to play at the highest level to win this match."

SAN DIEGO SECTION SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS

BOYS

Saturday, March 5

At Westview High

Division I

Torrey Pines (13-7-5) vs. Rancho Bernardo (16-5-1), 1 p.m.

Division III

St. Augustine (14-3-5) vs. University City (13-8), 5:30 p.m.

Division V

Santa Fe Christian (8-11-4) vs. Pacific Ridge (20-0-3), 8:30 a.m.

At Cathedral Catholic High