Chula Vista Pounds Out Victory Over Castle Park

CHULA VISTA — Three fourth-quarter Chula Vista High scores--LaMar Bailey’s 34-yard touchdown run and Kevin Brennan’s two 39-yard field goals--turned a tough defensive struggle into a 29-14 Spartans victory Saturday over Castle Park.

Chula Vista advanced to the San Diego Section 3-A semifinals.

Senior running back Bailey rushed 27 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns to lead the victors, who nearly duplicated a 28-14 regular-season victory over Castle Park.

Chula Vista scored first on a safety with less than a minute gone in the game when Castle Park running back Gene Hamilton fumbled a pitchout and was tackled in his end zone. A 40-yard return by Bailey of the ensuing kickoff set up Chula Vista’s next score, a two-yard touchdown run by Michael Peterson midway through the first quarter.

The opportunistic Trojans were soon back, however, after Castle Park’s DeJuan Franklin recovered a fumbled punt at Chula Vista’s four-yard line. On the next play, Castle Park’s junior running back Anthony Davis punched it over to make it 9-7 in favor Chula Vista. Davis led Castle Park’s offense with two touchdowns and 56 yards rushing in 15 carries.