Hilltop Lancers 19, Mar Vista Mariners 16

When the seas had settled, the Hilltop Lancers and Mar Vista Mariners rivalry lived up to the hype with an all-time classic. Hilltop spurred a late comeback to win 19-16 in double overtime.

Homecoming night for the Mariners seemed to be in full-swing early, as the Mar Vista offense pounded the Lancers down the field en-route to a 7-0 lead after a pass-interference call set-up a short score for junior Noah Berry. Hilltop responded with a field-goal to make it 7-3, at halftime.

Junior running back Angel Pineda put the Lancers back on top early in the third quarter when he reversed field, found a hole up the middle and broke into the secondary, giving a major stiff arm to the defender as he waltzed into the end-zone for a 10-7 lead for the Lancers. Mar Vista answered back quickly.

Senior Xavier Williams ‘X’ received the ensuing kickoff, turned on the jets through the coverage, nearly taking it to the house but puts the Mariners down inside the 20-yard-line. Junior quarterback Michael Wilson took a quarterback keeper up the middle and finished off the drive to put Mar Vista back in control 13-10 with plenty of time remaining in the third quarter. The defense controlled the game and ‘X’ nearly sealed the deal with an interception in the end-zone.

Hilltop finally found their rhythm with just minutes remaining, forcing a three and out, to get the ball back for a two-minute drill. The Lancers responded by getting down to the 6-yard-line, before running out of time and settling for a field goal to send the game into overtime. 13 all.

Mar Vista got the ball first and was forced to kick from a distance. Senior Abe Sanchez booted a long 47-yard field goal that bounced onto the crossbar and rolled over, it’s good. Hilltop drove inside the 10, before kicking as well. We are going to double overtime ladies and gentlemen.

In double-OT, Lancers convert one first down but then are forced to kick, its good, 19-16. Mar Vista, one last chance, the offense stalls. A fumble leaves the ball precariously on the ground, a defensive recovery would end it as bodies dive towards the pigskin, but somehow Mar Vista keeps possession. Field goal try to send it to triple overtime, the kick is up, it’s just short. Game!

PREVIEW

Batten down the hatches and get ready for stormy seas because the Hilltop Lancers (3-5) and Mar Vista Mariners (7-1) are set to square off in Imperial Beach this Friday for a Metro-South Bay division battle.

Fresh off a 29-19 loss against powerhouse Mater Dei Catholic (7-1), the Lancers are battle tested and hungry to get back into the playoff race.

Junior running back Angel Pienda kept the Lancers in the game with 124 yards and a TD but Hilltop could not slow down the dynamic duo of Crusaders CJ Verdell and Chris Jones.

Mar Vista is led by junior quarterback Michael Wilson and junior running back Khalil Spruill, who combined for two touchdowns last week in a 28-7 victory over Sweetwater. Riding a 4-game win streak and with their lone blemish being a lost to Valhalla, the Mariners are looking to for a first round playoff bye in division three playoffs.

Mar Vista has taken this match-up three out of the last four times but they haven’t been easy. Last season was a 28-7 win but the Lancers took them down 18-13 in 2014. The Mariners sunk the Lancers by with a 1-point win 20-19, in overtime in 2013.

Will the Lancers plunge a dagger into the ship of the Mariners or will Poseidon rule in favor of the sea-dwelling Mariners. Turn into the Prep Pigskin Report on Friday at 10:30 p.m. to find out!