The La Jolla High football team is definitely not dodging any tough opponents.
For the second time in two weeks, La Jolla played a ranked county team in a home game last Friday and came up on the short end, losing 9-0 to Brawley High.
Both teams battled for field position throughout the first half. The Vikings twice pushed inside the Wildcat 40-yard line, only to run out of downs both times. Brawley moved down the field in the first quarter, only to have junior defensive back Kevin Miller block its field goal attempt from the 24-yard line.
The Vikings received the opening second half kickoff, only to punt after three plays. Senior Andres Liera’s 41-yard punt plus a 10-yard holding penalty gave Brawley the ball on its own 19-yard line. With the help of a late hit on the quarterback, the Wildcats were able to move 81 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a 1-yard score.
Down 6-0, La Jolla did manage to drive, but fumbled to give the ball back to the Wildcats. Brawley moved the ball 34 yards down to the La Jolla 5 before having to settle for a short field goal by junior kicker Jose Peralta, to make it 9-0.
Although the Vikings were not able to score, several offensive players played well. Junior fullback Ja’Rood Watson had nine carries for 68 yards, while senior signal caller Casey Richmond completed 6 of 10 for 46 yards.
On the defensive side, junior linebacker Tony Sandoval had 11 tackles and one assisted tackle for the evening. Miller ended the evening with six tackles and one assist as well as a pass break-up and a blocked kick. On special teams, junior running back Jerrell Agnew, who played sparingly resting a sore shoulder, returned two punts for 50 yards to give the Vikings good field position.
“We knew Brawley was very aggressive up front on both sides of the ball,” La Jolla head coach Dave Ponsford noted. “Defensive coordinator Rey Hernandez came up with a few different wrinkles that I think gave Brawley some confusion. The defense kept us in the game. I’m disappointed that we made some basic mistakes on offense that kept us from moving the ball with some consistency. But I am encouraged that we have played two very good teams in a very tough fashion.”
La Jolla travels to Serra High on Friday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m.
Meantime, for the second consecutive weekend, La Jolla Country Day School (4-1, one forfeit, 2-0) faced a first-year Pacific Football League member in Foothills Christian. For the second consecutive week, the Torreys came away with a victory, rolling 56-0.
QB Matt Mulligan was an efficient machine, going 7 for 12, passing for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Recently moved over from tight end due to Kevin Ing’s hip injury, tailback Jamie Coleman rushed for 109 yards and two TDs. Fullback Collin Tuck kept all defenders home in the middle, pounding out 54 yards and two TDs. Tight end Zack Kusnir led all Torrey receivers with two catches for 89 yards, including a 61-yard TD. Alex Maire and Mark Schu added TD receptions, while kicker Travis Golia was a perfect 8-for-8 on PATs.
Pitching its second consecutive shutout, the LJCD defense gave up only six first downs during the contest. Tackle Andy Altman racked up four solo tackles and an assist. Cornerback Damian Bagby had a great night, pulling down an interception and picking up a sack on a well-timed corner blitz.
LJCD travels this Friday, Oct. 13, to Julian for a 7 p.m. contest.
The Bishop’s School rebounded from a tough loss the previous week to top H-Town Christian 21-14 last weekend in La Jolla.
The Knights had to come from behind with two TDs in the second half. QB Tommy Wornham hit Nicky Cox on a 22-yard TD in the third quarter, then hit Cox again in the fourth with only 4:37 remaining. The last pass was a 61-yarder.
“I’m very proud of the way we came back,” Bishop’s head coach Mike David remarked. “Our team showed a lot of character.”
Tim Costello had three interceptions for the defense.