VISTA — Rancho Buena Vista head football coach Terrence McKinnie’s philosophy this season has been simple: anyone, anywhere, anytime.
“We don’t care if it’s the San Francisco 49ers,” McKinnie told The Coast News on Monday morning.
The Longhorns finished 5-5 and retained the city championship trophy with a 56-21 victory over crosstown rival Vista at Dick Haines Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
“They smell blood,” McKinnie said of his players. “When we play Vista, it’s always high energy. Everyone’s flying around. With the rivalry, practice was very good all week, and the guys were excited and ready to go.”
The loss dropped Vista to 0-10 in head coach Ryan McHale’s second season with the program. The Panthers entered the year facing a significant rebuilding effort, with just one returning defensive starter and 17 players having graduated from the previous season.
“The rivalry game means a lot, especially having played Pop Warner with a lot of the guys over there,” Rancho Buena Vista junior quarterback Van Piercy said.
Vista offensive and defensive lineman Joaquin Daugherty called the matchup a “family feud.”
“This is like a showcase to see which school has the best athletes in Vista,” he said.
“This game means everything, not just to me but to the whole team,” added Vista running back and linebacker Isaac Estrada. “We’re taught about the history of this rivalry from the beginning. We compete against the guys across town. My uncle played for RBV, Class of 2016, so the game is personal.”
Rancho Buena Vista trailed 7-6 at the end of the first quarter, with McKinnie keeping several starters on the bench before rotating them in. He said he wanted everyone, particularly the seniors, to have an opportunity to play.
“I’m huge on, hey, we’re a team. I wanted to make sure everybody played in that game, especially seniors,” McKinnie said. “Some guys won’t play football at the next level, so this is their last game. It’s a big family thing, and I wanted everybody to be a part of it.”
Piercy led Rancho Buena Vista’s offensive attack, accounting for 288 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 10 of 19 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns while adding 59 rushing yards and a score.
The Longhorns totaled 566 yards of offense, including 295 on the ground. Senior Ean Perfect added 93 rushing yards on four carries, including a 66-yard touchdown, while junior receiver Mason Imoto caught four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. RBV senior Sean Richard also caught four passes for 83 yards and scored twice.
“‘This was my last rivalry Friday night with my brothers,’ Richard said. ‘This gives us confidence for the playoffs, as well as keeping the city trophy.’”
“It’s great motivation for my team going into the playoffs,” Piercy added.
Longhorns senior running back Kaipo Gutierrez, who scored the game-winning touchdown in last year’s 13-12 victory over Vista, called Friday’s win a “statement.”
“Every game and every practice is preparation for this rivalry,” Gutierrez said. He finished with 88 rushing yards and a touchdown.
“After the win, RBV senior tight end and defensive tackle Brody Berghaus offered a three-word celebration: ‘It’s Horns up.’”
