When Monte Vista's team bus showed up at 7:02 pm for Friday's scheduled 7 p.m. game at Santana, it said a lot about the road the Monarchs were about to travel.

The Sultans put the brakes to Monte Vista pretty much from the outset as they won their Homecoming game, 23-8, in Grossmont Valley League play.

What's worse for the Monarchs, defensive lineman Messai Small was taken from the stadium by paramedics after suffering an apparent neck injury in the second quarter. The game was stopped for 25 minutes as Small was kept flat on his back, but he was able to move his extremities before leaving.

The Butler did it for Santana (1-2, 5-3-1), which snapped a three-game losing streak. Linebacker Jonathan Butler accounted for 14 of his team's points with two fumble recoveries for touchdowns and a safety when he tackled Monte Vista's punter in the end zone.

"I can't do it without our defense," Butler said. "I was just there to get the ball. Anyone could've done it."

Well, maybe not just anyone. Teammates showed their admiration for Butler by repeatedly chanting his name afterwards.

"He's our defensive leader by far," said Juan Rios, who recorded two fourth-quarter interceptions. "He has heart. He breathes, eats and sleeps football."

Butler put some early life in the Sultans when he recovered a poor snap from the Monte Vista 29 in the end zone after it had been muffed several times on its way backwards midway through the first quarter. Santana raised its lead to 14-0 with 1:43 left in the half on a 2-yard pass from Zach Breidt to T.D. Gross.

The Sultans made it 16-0 when Butler tackled the punter for a safety late in the third quarter. His 35-yard fumble return gave Santana a 23-point lead midway through the fourth quarter after Jaylen Fleer had stripped the ball carrier.

Monte Vista (0-2, 1-7), which has lost six straight, avoided a shutout on a 16-yard pass from Andreas Sanchez to Shervin Iraniha with 4:45 to play. It was the only consolation of the night for the Monarchs, whose bus arrived late to pick them up for the game.

The Monarchs recovered the ensuing onside kick, only to have Rios stop the drive with his second interception.

"This game meant a lot to me," Rios said. "It's my last game here as a senior."

Brad Cornish converted three extra points, setting a Santana single-season record with 30.  

Monte Vista      0    0    0    8   --   8

Santana               7    9     0     7   -- 23

S-- Butler recovered fumble in end zone (Cornish kick)

S -- Gross 2 pass from Breidt (Cornish kick)

S-- Safety, Butler tackled punter in end zone

S -- Butler 35 fumble return (Cornish kick)

MV -- Iraniha 16 pass from Sanchez (Iraniha run)