By Craig Wentz

Town Crier Correspondent

Prep Football Digest

Something had to give last Saturday afternoon when Mountain View and Cupertino met for sole possession of first place in the SCVAL El Camino Division.

Mountain View came in with the league’s most productive offense and Cupertino boasted the league’s best defense.

With the Cupertino defense concentrating on the Spartans’ dynamic running duo of Trevor Hooper and Jordan Nelson, Mountain View (3-0, 6-1) parlayed an efficient passing game and a smothering defense into a 27-3 road win.

Mountain View now controls its own destiny. If the Spartans win their final three games, they are guaranteed the division title and a berth in the Central Coast Section playoffs.

On Saturday Mountain View marched 69 yards in six plays on its opening drive, capped by Guillermo Moreira’s 19-yard touchdown run.

After Cupertino manufactured a field goal in the second quarter, the Spartans ended the half with an 8-play, 91-yard drive that resulted in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Sean Manson to receiver Jonathan Lam. The extra point put Mountain View ahead 14-3.

The Spartans pulled away in the third quarter, as the defense held Cupertino (3-1, 4-3) in check and the offense produced a pair of touchdowns. Hooper found the end zone on a 5-yard run and Manson connected with Lam on a 22-yard scoring strike for a comfortable 27-3 lead.

Nelson (88) and Hooper (78) combined for 166 yards rushing and Manson completed 11 of 17 passes for 142 yards. Lam hauled in four passes for 90 yards and made an interception playing defensive back.

Mountain View plays its homecoming game 3:15 p.m., Friday, against Lynbrook (0-3, 2-5).

St. Francis 29, St. Ignatius 14

St. Francis (2-0, 3-4) remained unbeaten in the West Catholic Athletic League after whipping host St. Ignatius, last Saturday in San Francisco.

The win kept St. Francis just a half game behind league-leading Mitty (3-0) in the WCAL.

St. Francis’ stifling defense shut out St. Ignatius (0-3, 2-5) for three quarters.

The offense produced a 16-yard touchdown pass from Mark Hoff to receiver Joey Fernandez, a 7-yard scoring run from Jonathan Barsi and a pair of Ryan Lee field goals (25 and 32 yards) for a 22-0 lead entering the final quarter.

The Lancers’ defense also contributed on the scoreboard, thanks to a safety from defensive lineman Ed Flemate and Fernandez’s 32-yard interception return for a touchdown.

St. Francis hosts Serra (1-2, 6-2) at 7:30 p.m., Friday.

Los Gatos 52, Los Altos 12

Los Altos was in over its collective heads last Thursday against undefeated Los Gatos, which features one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.

Host Los Gatos (7-0) utilized its effective running game and the right arm of quarterback Trent Edwards (8 of 10, 152 yards, three touchdowns) in drilling outmanned Los Altos in a non-league contest.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 4 in the CCS, scored on its first six possessions en route to a commanding 38-0 halftime lead. The lead swelled to 52-0 before the Eagles (0-6) tallied touchdowns on their final two possessions.

Los Altos scored via a Marcus Boone 32-yard run and a 24-yard pass from Shawn Girouard to Gerryn Hamilton. Los Altos plays at Cupertino at 7:30 p.m., Friday, in an El Camino Division game.

Homestead 32, Lynbrook 6

Homestead (2-2, 3-4) kept its slim playoff hopes alive by walloping Lynbrook in an El Camino Division game Friday at Cupertino.

The Mustangs’ Steven Nichols rushed for 89 yards on seven carries and tallied a pair of touchdowns in the rout. Brian McGee added 89 yards rushing on only four carries.

The Mustangs take on Monta Vista (1-2, 2-5) at 6:15 p.m., Friday, at Fremont High in Sunnyvale.