Playing South of Border Is No Treat

Carlsbad High Coach Bob McAlister knows what Orange County football is all about.

He coached at Westminster from 1985 to 1989. And McAlister said, “North County [San Diego] football is every bit as good as Orange County football this year. We’re having an up year.”

McAlister’s team proved that Friday night in a 40-20 rout of Santa Margarita, which came in as Orange County’s top-ranked team.

McAlister said Santa Margarita’s No. 5 ranking in the state added to the thrill of victory.

“It’s a great challenge to play a high-profile program like Santa Margarita,” he said. “It was exciting to our kids that they accepted the challenge. It feels good.”

But McAlister had no idea it would feel as good as 40-20.

“We played mistake-free football and that’s a big key,” he said. “You can’t afford to make as many mistakes as Santa Margarita did [five turnovers] and win a game like this.”

Santa Margarita isn’t done getting a taste of North County San Diego football. The Eagles play Rancho Bernardo in two weeks.

“I hope Carlsbad is the best team in San Diego County,” Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan said. “Otherwise, we’re going to have our hands full against Rancho Bernardo.”

GETTING THEIR KICKS

It came in their third game, but the Tustin Tillers finally attempted--and made--their first extra point kick of the season, thanks to sophomore Kyle Dixon.

“He did not come out for the team until school started because of a knee injury from soccer,” Coach Myron Miller said. “Friday was the first game he was eligible to play.

“I think by the time he is a senior he will be one of the premiere kickers in the county.”

Now that they have a kicker, the Tillers might think about investing in a practice net.

“Hopefully, coach will get me one so at least I can look good on the sidelines,” Dixon said.

“If he wants one, we’ll get one,” Miller said. “I wasn’t sure we would score on [La Puente] Bishop Amat, so I wasn’t thinking about extra points.”

BORN TO RUN, AGAIN

Coach Gary Meek of Esperanza hasn’t won 113 games and three Southern Section titles without understanding the importance of a productive running game.

That’s why revamping a ground attack that gained only 28 yards against Servite in Week 1 was a critical part of the game plan last Friday in a 20-10 victory over San Clemente.

“Everybody knows that if you don’t run the ball, you aren’t going to win,” Meek said. “We were embarrassed [against Servite] and we wanted to show we could run.”

Sophomores Louie Mares, who gained 123 yards and had two touchdowns in 23 carries, and Ben Alvarado, who had 95 yards in 18 carries, were impressive in their first varsity starts. They split time filling in for injured starter Matt Parrish, who sprained his ankle in practice and is out for at least two weeks.

Parrish said he is not worried about losing his starting position.

“Oh no,” said Parrish, who walked the sidelines on crutches during the San Clemente game. “I’m real proud of my boys, but I’m going to come right back.”

CHANGE FOR THE WORSE?

Veteran Coach Bob Johnson, who began another tour of duty with Mission Viejo this year, is not a fan of the new league alignments, particularly when it comes to the playoffs.

“Terrible,” said Johnson, whose Diablos play in the six-team South Coast League. “Five and six-team leagues are the worst.

“I’m old school. I like eight-team leagues, and if you don’t win it, you go sit down. Three teams making it [to the playoffs] in five- and six-team leagues is a pretty watered-down format.”

Contributor Geoff Bilau and staff writers Peter Yoon and Martin Henderson contributed to this story.