In a game that was just as close as last year’s match-up, The Bishop’s School eked out a 14-13 win over La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School on the gridiron last Friday afternoon in La Jolla. The deciding factor in the game came when Bishop’s (2-0) stopped LJCD (2-1) on a two-point conversion in the final moments. Trailing 14-7 late in the game, LJCD marched down the field and made it a one-point game as QB Derek Hatfield connected with tight end Mical Bailey on a 14-yard TD play. After a Bishop’s penalty moved the ball closer to the goal line, LJCD head coach Jeff Hutzler opted to go for the victory then and there. Running back Montell Allen, however, was stopped inches from the goal line, allowing Bishop’s to remain unbeaten. “The annual Country Day versus Bishop’s football game has become a big-time rivalry affair, with the young men on both sides — many of them friends as well as former middle school classmates and Pop Warner teammates — playing their hearts out for the pride of their schools,” Hutzler commented.  LJCD opened the scoring when, while attempting a punt, a poor long snap by Bishop’s was recovered by Indie Lavarias on the Bishop’s two. On the next play, Allen crashed across the goal line for the score to make it 7-0.  Bishop’s would go on to take a touchdown lead on a pair of Alec Fisher runs (15, eight yards). “It was a hard-fought battle between two very good football teams,” Bishop’s head coach Joel Allen remarked. “We played very well and were able to make some big plays when it counted most. Losing our quarterback (Joey Moreno, to an ankle injury) could have been devastating to us but our kids rallied behind freshman Mike Hinkley and did what was needed to get the big win.” Allen credited the play of a number of linemen, including Alex Carrillo, Anthony Watkins, Ian Saad, Kevin Quigley and Austin Fisher. “Overall, it was a ton of fun, and that is the way football should be played,” Allen added. In the junior varsity contest, LJCD rolled to a 27-0 victory. Bishop’s travels to Mar Vista next week, while LJCD is idle. Elsewhere, La Jolla High got back on the winning track with a 30-20 victory at San Diego High last Friday. Tyler Bassler scored on a 2-yard run and caught a 14-yard touchdown pass, and Taylor Davis caught two touchdown passes (18 yards, 27 yards) to lead the way. Zac Zlatic accounted for all three touchdown passes and Braden Fudge kicked a 41-yard field goal. On defense, Jose Aviles led the way with one sack, a caused fumble and a recovered fumble. After falling behind 7-0, La Jolla scored the next 30 points of the game to take control. “I was disappointed with our clock management and we didn’t execute well late in the game,” La Jolla High head coach Rey Hernandez pointed out. “This resulted in two late scores for San Diego; so we have yet to put four full quarters of solid play together. We will need to do this next Friday (Sept. 25) against St. Augustine if we expect to have any chance of beating them.”