Rancho Buena Vista beat Vista High 56–21 at Dick Haines Stadium on Friday, October 30. Quarterback Van Piercy threw four touchdown passes and ran for another, helping the Longhorns finish the regular season 5–5.

The game renewed a crosstown rivalry that dates to Rancho Buena Vista’s opening in 1987. Both schools brought decades of football history to the field.

One City, Two Football Programs

When Rancho Buena Vista opened in 1987, attendance boundaries shifted students from Vista High to the new school. The change created two high school football programs in the same city.

RBV initially played home games at Vista High while its own facilities were being developed. The Longhorns quickly became a contender, finishing 13–0 with a CIF section title in 1988 and winning another section championship in 1989.

The rivalry was already drawing large crowds by 1991. An estimated 8,000 spectators saw Vista beat RBV 24–21 that year. Nearly four decades after the schools split, the annual matchup still brings the programs together.

RBV's Offense Puts Up 56

Piercy led the scoring effort, completing 10 of 19 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran five times for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Mason Imoto caught four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. Sean Richards had four receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Kaipo Gutierrez carried eight times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Ean Perfect gained 93 yards on four carries and scored once.

Coach Ariel Savage shared the numbers from the RBV football program and made a point of crediting the offensive line. The backs and receivers had the statistics, but the line helped create the opportunities.

Rivalry Trophy Back With the Longhorns

After the final whistle, RBV players gathered around the rivalry trophy, celebrating a 56–21 win over their crosstown opponents. Kristina Jimenez Photography captured the Longhorns raising the trophy together.

The victory brought RBV to 5–5, and the Longhorns are not done just yet as Coach Ariel Savage is already looking ahead to the playoffs. San Diego Prep Insider has projected the Longhorns as the No. 1 seed in Division V. The official CIF playoff brackets are scheduled for release Sunday, November 1.

Vista High Has Its Own Place in the Rivalry

On the other side of the field, Vista scored 21 points but couldn't keep up with RBV. The Panthers finished the regular season 0–10.

Even though they did not take it this year, the Panthers have their own history in this matchup. Vista was the city's established football program before RBV opened, and it won the 1991 meeting in front of an estimated 8,000 spectators.

This year's result went to the Longhorns. For Vista, it was the last game of a difficult regular season.

RBV JV Adds a Shutout

The rivalry even extended to junior varsity, where RBV shut out Vista 57–0. Another reason for the JV Longhorns to celebrate as they wrapped up their season with a 5–4 overall record and a 5–2 league finish. They closed with back-to-back victories, including a 48–34 win over Westview the previous week.

RBV Wins the Chick-fil-A Rivalry Week Challenge

RBV had another win to celebrate away from the scoreboard: the 2026 Chick-fil-A Vista Village Rivalry Week Challenge. A social media announcement shared by the business and RBV athletics shows a presentation on the field with a ceremonial check and trophy.

The announcement thanked participants for taking part in Rivalry Week.

Tri-City Christian Closes With a Loss

Elsewhere in Vista-area football, Tri-City Christian lost 57–6 to Maranatha Christian on October 30. The Eagles had beaten Orange Glen 41–6 a week earlier, but couldn't carry that result into the finale.

TCC finished 5–4, according to the available team record. Verified individual statistics from the Maranatha game were not available for this recap.

Questions You May Have About Vista Football

Who won the RBV–Vista rivalry game?

Rancho Buena Vista defeated Vista High 56–21 on October 30, 2026.

When did the rivalry begin?

It developed after Rancho Buena Vista opened in 1987, creating a second high school football program in Vista.

What were Van Piercy's numbers?

He threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns, adding 59 rushing yards and another touchdown.

How did Tri-City Christian finish?

The Eagles finished 5–4 after a 57–6 loss to Maranatha Christian.

A Special Thank You

North Valley Flare thanks Coach Terrence McKinnie, Coach Ariel Savage, Kristina Jimenez Photography, William Fuentes, Mateo Daugherty, Katherine Elaine Photography, Eduardo Javier Aguilar, Giovanni Flores for their photographs, game information and support of local football coverage. We appreciate the time and access these contributors have shared throughout the regular season.

Sports scores, records and statistics are compiled from school and team sources, MaxPreps, NFHS Network, CIF San Diego and other available sports reporting sources. North Valley Flare works to verify information before publication.