On a crisp Friday evening in Chula Vista, the Pointers got their mojo back.
After a heartbreaking loss on Sept. 16 to Culver City, Point Loma High School regrouped in practice, hit the game film and worked hard on the field to defeat Otay Ranch’s Mustangs 20-11 on Sept. 22.
With the sound of the Championship Off Road Racing (CORR) trucks humming from the hill above the stadium, the teams took the field. The score was not entirely indicative of the game, which was action packed throughout, despite a no-score second half for PLHS.
“It was what we expected “” their quarterback came out hard and we knew he was gonna’ run; my job was just to contain him,” said Evan Barrett, senior defensive end. “We just did our best and didn’t make too many mistakes “” that was the key, we played Pointer Football.”
The Pointer defense really won the game, with senior Lester Arnold starting things off right by recovering a fumble on the Mustangs’ second play to give the Dogs possession at the Otay Ranch 10-yard line. Arnold then threw the option pass handed off from quarterback Lucas Shaw three plays later to hit Drew Callejon on a 14-yard TD.
Capitalizing on Otay Ranch mistakes made the difference, with interceptions and fumble recoveries the norm during the game. The offense simply had to use the clock wisely to keep ahead of the Mustangs.
“We showed what Pointer football is all about again tonight and [we didn’t] let that one loss set us back,” said Pointer Head Coach Mike Hastings. “Our goal was to be a ball-control team that ran the clock.”
Luis Villavicencio hit the second score of the game, running 14 yards in after another Otay Ranch fumble. The remaining 6 points for PLHS came from kicker Steven Padilla from 27 and 39 yards.
The Mustangs would not get on the board until after the second half, with a 12-yard pass touchdown, followed by a 43-yard field goal. Unfortunately for Otay, they would be held scoreless for the remainder of the game.
“I worked really hard in practice this week. I have never started before, but coach said I did a really good job at fullback “” my assignment was just to make holes and lay blocks,” said senior running back Edgar Herrera. “We just gotta keep the intensity up in practice and stay focused “” if we don’t lose focus, we’ll do good.”
The Pointers will head north to La Jolla High School for another game under the lights Friday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. The team is excited to meet their first Western League opponent “” and as always “” plans to win the rest of their games this season.
“It was a gut-check last week, playing at home and losing. It was not fun, and to come back and regroup and to see the kids really focus this week was what I am really proud of,” Hastings said. “We know La Jolla’s gonna’ be well-prepared, it’s gonna’ be a physical game, but we’re looking forward to it.”