SAN DIEGO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK : Mission Bay Football is Making a Name: Winner

Maybe it’s the chemistry of the team, a change in attitude or better athletes, Coach Dennis Pugh said. Whatever the reason, Mission Bay’s football team is making a name for itself in the City Western League.

Not since 1975, when the Buccaneers finished with a 5-4 record, have they had a winning season. Last year, they were 4-6.

Things are changing this year. The Buccaneers (5-1, 1-0) have shut out three of their six opponents and given up only 21 points, 3.5 per game, making their defense first in the county. Pugh said linemen Dareke Fleming and Pat Betancourt have made significant contributions defensively.

“We’ve played real team defense,” Pugh said. “The kids believe they can win and there are some pretty good athletes.

After being defeated by La Jolla for five consecutive years, three by shutouts, the Buccaneers returned the favor and defeated the Vikings, 26-0, Friday.

What’s more, the offense is also in gear. The Buccaneers have outscored their opponents, 108-21.

“We have good athletes in the right places and legitimate team speed,” said Pugh, praising the play of running back Schearon Stewart.

Mission Bay is tied with Kearny for first place in the league but Pugh said the game against the Komets Nov. 3 will be tough.

“I don’t think anyone will beat Kearny, they’re a head above everyone else,” Pugh said. “I think we’ll end up in a tie for second with (University City) and (USDHS).”

Since the San Diego Section playoffs have been expanded from 12 to 16 teams, Mission Bay could well be on the inside looking out.

“It’s good for us,” Pugh said. “We have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.”

Chula Vista tied Southwest, 17-17, Friday night but a newly implemented tiebreaker, which Soutwest won, made the Spartans feel defeated.

“How come we feel like we lost and they’re acting like they won?” Gary Chapman, Chula Vista assistant coach said following the game.

Chula Vista Coach George Ohnesorgen added: “We had breakdowns and blown assigments on both offense and defense. I’d have to say this feels like a loss.”

Although the game is recorded as a tie, a tiebreaker was played in case, at the end of the season, there is a tie for first place. Whichever team won the tiebreaker would earn the highest playoff seed.

In the tiebreaker, each team starts with the ball on the 10-yard line and has four plays to score. Southwest scored on two plays and Chula Vista had a pass intercepted.

“We’re happy with the tie,” said Southwest quarterback Anthony Quinn. “We’re happy that if we tie, we’ll be the first seed for the playoffs.”

This is the first year the Metro Conference is using the tiebreaker. The Grossmont League has been using the system for a few years.

Extra time in the weight room is making El Camino senior halfback Brian Madlangbayan a terror on the football field.

“He has great balance and extremely strong legs,” Coach Herb Meyer said of Madlangbayan, who leg presses 625 pounds and bench presses 250 pounds. “You’re not going to get him down with just an arm tackle.”

Madlangbayan, 5-foot-6, 165 pounds, is ninth in the county with 661 rushing yards in 99 carries. He is tied for eighth in scoring with nine touchdowns.

Madlangbayan scored three of the Wildcats’ four touchdowns in a 27-0 victory over San Pasqual Friday. He had 101 yards on 14 carries.

“The offensive line was opening huge holes and (fullback Von) Robinson took the pressure off me,” Madlangbayan said. “The last couple games I was the offense, (Friday) was different.”

Rashaam Salaam’s birthday last week was not only special for him but for the La Jolla Country Day football team as well. Salaam turned 15 and was able to play in his first varsity game Friday.

In his varsity debut, Salaam had 19 carries for 213 yards with four rushing touchdowns and one more on a pass reception in La Jolla Country Day’s 48-30 victory over Francis Parker.

“We’ve been waiting for him for the last five weeks,” Coach Rick Woods said.