Broncos and Nighthawks to go head to head in Friday playoff game

For Eric Weddle and Nick Barnett, playing an opponent for the second time in a football season is no big deal.

“I’m used to it because we played teams twice in the NFL,” said the Rancho Bernardo High football coach after learning his 7th-seeded Broncos (8-2) would host Avocado East foe Del Norte (4-6), the No. 10 seed, in the first round of the section Division 1 playoffs Friday night at 7.

The Broncos opened league play with a 31-17 victory over the Nighthawks.

“It happens, but Del Norte is good,” said Weddle. “I think we’re evenly matched, and they’ll be anxious to avenge the loss. It should be a great game because this is the playoffs and in many cases your record is not indicative of just how good you are.

“Looking at MaxPreps, I actually thought we might get Holtville or Mater Dei Catholic, but I’ve played against Del Norte (he’s 3-1) every year I’ve been here.

“Division 1 has some really good teams this year. The first year we made the semifinals and last year the quarterfinals, so who knows, maybe this is the year we make the Division 1 Championships.”

Weddle’s son, sophomore Gaige, leads the Broncos on both sides of the ball. He finished the regular season completing 129 of 215 passes (60 percent) for 1,883 yards and 14 touchdowns versus six interceptions. He also rushed for a team-leading 597 yards and nine more TDs.

Hugo Gonzalez is the team’s leading receiver with 43 receptions for 571 yards, although another Gonzalez, Cristiaan, isn’t far behind with 486 yards on 26 receptions with five TDs.

The winner of this game will play No. 2 seeded Granite Hills, one of those teams that Weddle said makes the Division 1 playoffs stronger than usual.  The Eagles were state champions in 2022 and section titlists in 2023 and 2024.

Also in the division is top-seeded Lincoln, which was state champion last season and in 2022.

As for Del Norte, coach Nick Barnett played 10 years in the NFL and he’s fine playing Rancho Bernardo, but like Weddle, was a little surprised MaxPreps went strictly on their rankings.

“There are teams with 10-0 and 9-1 records, who are league champions, playing in Division 2,” Barnett said, “but you know, it is what it is.”

Asked if having been beaten by RB earlier gives the Broncos an advantage, he didn’t think do.

“Whoever does their homework and executes on game night will win,” said Barnett, who also has a son, sophomore Cruz, on the team. “The key for us is to correct the mistakes we made last time.

“We (he and Weddle) have played against each other since Pop Warner and we both have some good things going for us. It’s fun to play the same team twice in the NFL and it’ll be fun to play RB twice in a high school season.”

The Nighthawks are led by junior quarterback Jaden Williams (128 of 208 for 1,209 yards and nine TDs) with Riley Farrokhi (39 receptions for 501 yards, five TDs) leading a group of five receivers — Madox Romans 16-169, Kruz Barnett 16-98, Chase Jurgens and Detroit Taylor 14-167 with double-figure receptions.

Romans is the leading rusher with 743 yards and nine touchdowns.

Poway’s loss to Torrey Pines during the regular season (40-22) affected the Titans (4-6) as they, too, get another shot at the Falcons on the road Friday night in a Division 1 game. The winner gets No. 1 seeded Lincoln.

Although coach Brandon Harris doesn’t have the NFL background of Weddle and Barnett, he too has some weapons with a now-healthy QB Noah Schuback (89-145 for 1,468 yards, 16 TDs), All-Section returning running back in Luke Jorgensen (1,272 yards, 15 TDs) and a 1-2 punch at receiver with James Clifford (28-606-10) and Will Hawkins (31-521-4).

Barnett said it succinctly: “It’s down to win or go home.”