CHULA VISTA — The Chicago Bears of the mid-to-late 1980s were some great teams with lots of characters: Coach Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, William “The Refrigerator” Perry, Jim McMahon, Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, “Little Lew” Barnes, Bryan Wagner, ….

Wait, weren’t Lew Barnes and Bryan Wagner the respective head coaches for Olympian and Hilltop in Friday night’s battle for the Metro South Bay title at Hilltop?

“Imagine that — the punter vs. the punt returner,” said Wagner before the game.

Wagner’s upset-minded Lancers beat Barnes’ Eagles 28-13.

“It was crazy being with the Bears at that time,” said Wagner. “You had all those personalities like ‘the Fridge’ and McMahon. And, of course, I was there for Payton’s last year.”

Barnes, a Lincoln High School graduate and an All-American wide

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