Chato Jackson Makes the Big Plays for Vista

The rivalry in Vista reached its peak Saturday night. Each side began chanting out its school’s name during a pregame moment of silence for a teacher who had recently died.

They traded yells during the National Anthem.

“Rancho.”

“Vista.”

“Rancho.”

And that was only the appetizer. The main course was every bit as tasty. Top-ranked Vista overcame a two-touchdown deficit for a 24-21 victory over fourth-ranked Rancho Buena Vista in front of 8,000.

The contest was as spirited on the field as it was in the stands, with vicious tackling leading to eight turnovers, six by RBV.

But the biggest play of the game was RBV’s failed fourth-down effort from its 31 with two minutes left in the first half. Vista had cut the lead to 14-7 when Aaron Rounsifer took a five-yard pass and turned it into a 53-yard touchdown with 3:49 left in the first half.

The next possession was critical.

“It was fourth and about six inches to go,” RBV Coach Craig Bell said. “Up to that time, the least we’d gone was five or six yards. I decided to take the chance which I hadn’t done before and now I know why.

“I do what the kids do; at the time I though it was the right call. In hindsight, it stunk.”

RBV ran right at Vista linebacker Chato Jackson, a star on offense and defense. When Ragan Jackson ran at him, Chato’s eyes lit up.

“I was surprised (the play) went straight to me,” Chato Jackson said. “I went yippee.”

Then he and Nestor Mangohig leveled Ragan Jackson, and six inches seemed like six miles.

Vista got the ball at the 31. Chato Jackson ran for seven yards. For two yards. For 22 yards. Touchdown. That tied the game at 14 with 1:19 left in the first half.

The momentum shift continued.

RBV turned over the ball 68 seconds later when Ragan Jackson fumbled. Pon Manithip nailed a 38-yard field goal with one second remaining and Vista led, 17-14.

RBV caught a break in the second half when Mark Crude spun quarterback Eric Jencks around, Jeff McCauley knocked the ball loose and Dan Perez picked up the ball and carried it six yards into the end zone. RBV led, 21-17.

It didn’t last long. Vista scored on its next possession, going 63 yards on 11 plays. Chato Jackson went over from two yards.

RBV turned over the ball its final three possessions, including twice inside the 20-yard line. One came at the seven-yard line when Robby Kielman’s pass into the end zone was intercepted.

Chato Jackson carried 27 times for 141 yards. Ragan Jackson carried 18 times for 176 yards.