Mount Miguel High School football coach Verlain Betofe called it “big-boy football.”
“That was a dogfight,” Betofe said after his No. 8-ranked Matadors went on the road and upset No, 7 San Marcos 28-27 in the season opener. “San Marcos runs a great program. They were in the Division 1 championship game last season because they’re good.”
The game was every bit as close as the score.
Trailing 28-21, San Marcos took possession at the Mount Miguel 46 with 1:06 to play. A 12-yard pass from Kreet Makihele to Lucas Swillens moved the ball to the 34 and a pass-interference penalty moved it to the 19.
On the next play, Makihele hit Ezekiel McIntyre for a score, making it 28-27 with 44 seconds to play.
San Marcos coach Tom Carroll shunned a tying kick, going for a go-ahead 2-point PAT. But Mou