CHULA VISTA – Time after time, Eastlake matched and exceeded everything visiting Bonita Vista tried last night as the Titans scored a 42-12 Mesa League victory.

Down from the opening drive, the Barons quickly resorted to their passing attack.

Unfortunately for Bonita Vista (5-4, 0-4), senior quarterback Hector Castellanos could only complete 12-of-33 passes for 150 yards and one late touchdown.

“The defense has done a great job all year, and they're just getting better and more confident,” said Eastlake coach John McFadden, whose team intercepted three passes. “Our first group hasn't given up a touchdown in league (play) all year.”

Eastlake quarterback DeAngelo Barksdale was effective from the opening snap. The junior completed his first nine passes and finished 12-for-15 for 184 yards and a touchdown.

“He's so under control,” McFadden said. “He doesn't get too high when things go great and he doesn't get too low when things go bad.”

Barksdale's efficiency must have been contagious for Eastlake (7-2, 4-0) in the running game as well. Senior running back Randall Williams finished with 124 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, four of which went for 17 yards or more.

Minutes into the second half, the Barons made things interesting.

Barksdale was hit as he was releasing a pass and the ball went flying out. The play was ruled a fumble, and Bonita Vista linebacker Robert Carlos scooped it up and took it 41 yards for a touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, Eastlake running back Daniel Diaz fumbled the ball on the Barons' 1-yard line. Although Bonita Vista was 99 yards from its end zone, trailing 21-7, the team had life.

But after watching the opposing defense score a touchdown, the Titans weren't about to be outperformed. Junior linebacker Marcus Mendillo fell on a Castellanos fumble in the end zone and pushed the lead back up to 21 points.

Two possessions later, the Eastlake defense sealed the game by scoring again, this time on a 37-yard interception return by senior defensive back Dante Haddock.

“I saw (the opening) and just ran my fastest to the end zone,” Haddock said. “My team blocked for me and it felt good.”

With Chula Vista's 40-0 victory over Otay Ranch, the Titans' regular-season finale will decide the winner of the Mesa League. Eastlake visits the Spartans in a battle of unbeatens next week.

“It's going to be a doozer next week,” McFadden said.