Roundup : Romero, Jones’ Stand-In, Stands Out as Sweetwater Beats Chula Vista

Pierre Jones was voted “Big Man on Campus” as part of the homecoming activities at Sweetwater High School Friday. Jaime Romero might have won if the vote had come after the game with Chula Vista.

With Jones out with a sore back, Romero rushed for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 carries as Sweetwater won, 20-0.

Romero’s exploits included an 85-yard touchdown run as Sweetwater defeated its archrival in the Metro-Mesa League opener before about 5,000.

Jones may have been the No. 3 running back in San Diego County, but Romero was ready when he got the call.

“I had a point to prove,” said Romero, a senior who rushed for 14 yards on 5 carries as Jones’ replacement last week. “I had to prove that, second-string or not, I could do it. Coach (Gene Alim) fired me up, the crowd fired me up, Pierre fired me up. I knew I could do it.”

Romero scored on a 4-yard run with 7:56 to play in the second quarter, breaking a seven-quarter scoring drought for Sweetwater (4-2).

On the first play of Sweetwater’s next series, Romero ran through a big hole on the right side of the line for an 85-yard touchdown run with 3:32 to play in the half.

His third touchdown came on a six-yard run in the third quarter.

Sweetwater’s Robert Harper had three interceptions in the second half. Harper returned the second one 48 yards for a touchdown, but clipping nullified the score.

Marquis Howard rushed for 93 yards on 12 carries for Chula Vista (3-1-2).