PLHS overpowers La Jolla’s Vikings 34-7

Point Loma’s Pointers delighted an overflow Homecoming crowd at Pete Ross Stadium with a 34-7 smackdown of rival La Jolla High on Oct. 12, retaining the so-called “Shoe” trophy for another year. With the victory, the Pointers sit alone atop the Western League standings with a league record of 2-0 (5-2 overall) and riding a four-game win streak. “It really makes it fun when you can go out and entertain a big crowd,” head coach Mike Hastings said later, “and I think our kids did that. A 34-7 Homecoming win is pretty special.” The stingy Pointer defense yielded only 108 total yards while the Dogs trotted for 200 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and another 49 yards (one touchdown) through the air. Ironically, the contest was scoreless after one quarter, but the Dogs used twin turnovers to catch fire and score 21 points before the beginning of halftime festivities. First, running back Johnny Maes, after an 18-yard gain, lost the pigskin as he was tackled, the Vikings recovering the loose ball. But on La Jolla’s first play following the recovery, a pitchout missed it’s mark, and Pointer defender Jamal Agnew (five tackles, interception) was able to scoop up the gift, racing 10 yards untouched to the end zone for a 7-0 Pointer lead in the quarter’s first minute. Pointer quarterback Branden Martin (three completions in six attempts) capped the next Pointer drive with a 17-yard pass to Agnew five minutes later. A bad snap resulted in a missed PAT and a 13-0 Pointer lead. Then, shortly before intermission, junior Dirk Lacy scored the first of his three running touchdowns. A successful two-point conversion sent the teams to the break with a 21-0 Pointer cushion. Five minutes into the third quarter, the Dogs were jolted when a teammate went down. Maes, a 5-foot-5-inch, 155-pound senior, was driven out of bounds on a clean and legal tackle but was seemingly in pain as Hastings, team doctors and trainers rushed to his side. Maes was taken from the field by ambulance and moved to a San Diego Fire/Rescue Department paramedic unit for transport to the hospital. The injury seemed to briefly anger Pointer players, as a small skirmish broke out following the first play when the game resumed. But the Dogs went back to letting their play speak for itself and, on the third play, Lacy raced up the middle for a score, upping the lead to 28-0 with 6:43 left in the third quarter. Then, minutes later, when they held the Vikings on their next possession, sophomore defender Jake Virissimo (three tackles and a sack) broke through to cleanly block the attempted punt, setting up the attack Dogs on the Viking 25-yard line. Lacy closed out scoring in the quarter’s final seconds with his third scoring run. Reserve quarterback Sam Augustine’s second PAT kick attempt of the season fell short. The Vikings scored in the final quarter, played with a running clock against Pointer backups. Lacy led all ball carriers with 89 yards on a dozen carries while Maes added 55 more before his injury. Defensively, Steven Arreola (12 tackles) and Greg Verdugo (eight tackles) also recorded sacks, while Zack Eischen (seven tackles) and Pedro DaSilva (six tackles) had big games. “Our kids have improved and gotten better each week,” Hastings said. EXTRA POINTS The detailed diagnosis on Maes was serious — three torn ligaments in his knee. Surgery is set for coming weeks. Maes ends his senior season with 64 carries for 355 yards (5.54 yards per carry) with two touchdowns. Senior offensive lineman Anthony Ricciardulli, thought to be out all year following an ACL tear during off-season drills, resumed playing on the offensive line. His injured right knee was strengthened by a brace, reportedly made of titanium at a cost of $500. Hastings praised Ricciardulli, calling him “another coach” who counseled his linemates each game during his recuperation period. The original “Shoe” trophy reportedly was given to the wife of a Viking assistant coach after his death years ago. Its replacement is a far cry from the original; however, the series is now tilted in favor of the Pointers. With the victory, the Pointers finish their home schedule with a 5-0 record. The team is 0-2 away from their newly turfed Bennie Edens Field. The Pointer junior varsity (7-0) and freshman teams (6-1) defeated La Jolla. POINTERS DESTROY KOMETS Gaining 352 yards, all on the ground, the Pointers ran to a 42-8 halftime lead en route to a 55-16 blitz of Kearny High in the Western League opener for both teams Oct. 5. No less than nine different Dogs scored points during the romp. Lacy (4 carries for 104 yards) and Agnew (4-49 yards) each scored twice for the Pointers. Eischen, Martin, Ja’Markus Watkins and Maes also found the end zone. Maes (6-79 yards), Watkins (6-57 yards), A. J. Smith (6-42 yards) inflicted most of the damage as the Dogs averaged 10.4 yards per rush with Maes’ 69-yard touchdown the longest play of the game. Verdugo (10 tackles), Sydney Rush (6), Arreola, Eischen and Virissimo (4) led the defense along with two interceptions by Grant Wilburn and one each by Eischen and Agnew. Constant pressure on the Komet quarterback was provided by Virissimo (1.5 sacks) and Jake Wambaugh (.5). CRAWFORD FORFEITS UPCOMING GAME Coaches at Crawford High School notified Hastings they will be forfeiting their scheduled varsity game with the Pointers on Oct. 19, citing a team roster that will only be able to field 18 healthy players. The game was scheduled for 3 p.m. on Crawford’s field, which is in very poor condition, according to Pointer coaches. The Colts are currently 1-6 in the Central League and apparently plan to play their final two league games against Coronado and Christian High Schools. The next Pointer game after the forfeit will be at 3 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Mission Bay High School. The Bucs (currently 1-3 in Western League, 4-3 overall), are led by Division I prospects Donshay Bandy (tight end/-linebacker) and Aaron Cobbler (offensive/defensive line).