Football: Mesa Mtn. View prevails in Fell's debut

August 26, 2016 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


(Former Mountain View football coach Jesse Parker joined by his family at halftime as the school's field is dedicated in his name.)

Mesa Mountain View's legacy in football is about success. On Friday night the school honored its past and ushered in the present with a solid win in the first game for new coach Mike Fell.

The host Toros unveiled a lethal spread offense, particularly the passing game, in posting a mostly methodical 43-21 victory over Valley Vista at Jesse Parker Field.

That last part is new. In fact the paint is still wet where it states in both end zones "Jesse Parker Field" in red. Friday was a night to honor the eight state championship teams in Mountain View's 40 seasons. It also served to name the field in honor of the school's first coach, Jesse Parker. And last -- but not least -- ushered in the Mike Fell era. Fell relocated from Ohio this spring to become the fifth coach in Toro' football history.

Parker moments after cutting the ceremonial ribbon to unveil Jesse Parker Field. Enjoying the moment with wife, Latsy. (Photo courtesy of Rick Apple).

"This was a good night all around, " Fell said. "We came out and hit. I thought we left a couple scores on the field, and it shouldn't have been that close at th half (22-14). It was a great atmosphere I'm very proud to be a coach here following Jesse Parker and the others before me."

Parker was honored at  halftime, accepting congratulations from the multitudes with family by his side as he smiled widely and thumbed-up for cameras.

Some of those same cameras likely caught a glimpse of a potent Mountain View offense and a defense that came a play away from pitching a shutout in the second half while the offense put up 21 additional points to extend the one-score halftime lead.

Fell utilized both returning quarterbacks from last season and both fared well -- Wheeler Harris better in the first  half and Tristan Askan the more polished effort in second half. The seniors alternated series. That's likely to continue throughout the season.

Harris and Askan combined to complete 23-of-34 attempts for 346 yards and four touchdowns. Each threw two TD passes. Seven receivers/running backs caught at least one pass. Leading the way was 6--foot-7 senior wide out Curtis Hodges. Hodges  hauled in six receptions for 146 yards and two TDs -- both in the third quarter to boost the lead to 36-14. Coleman Hagar and Frank Estadt also caught TD passes for the Toros.

"Both of them (QBs) played well," Fell said. "We had some fumbles -- each lost one, but they were good overall."

Mountain View's running game got untracked some in the second half. Senior Orion Baker got most of the carries and his yarage in the second half. Baker scored twice on short runs in the first half.

Valley Vista had opportunities it failed to capitalize on. Twice penetrating Mountain View territory and turning the ball over on downs. The first one occured at Mountain View's 5. Valley Vista quarterback Reyes Lara threw three TD passes -- two to Vodrey Gates. Gates caught eight passes for 111 yards. Lara was 16-of-34 for 190 yards and two interceptions to go with his three TD tosses. 

Current Mountain View coach Mike Fell and Friday's honoree Jesse Parker on another winning night of Toros football. (Photo courtesy of Rick Apple)