The Point Loma High School (PLHS) varsity football team hosted a strong Mira Mesa team in a nonleague game on Friday afternoon, falling to the visiting Marauders 55-14. “I’m proud of my kids, I can tell you that,” said PLHS head coach Mike Hastings. “In the first half we played with a lot of emotion and intensity. They are a big, strong team and we are a good team too. We just need more growth on our young roster.” Point Loma drew first blood when junior Leslie Roger caught a 47-yard pass for a touchdown early, but Mira Mesa answered with two of their own in the first quarter. The second quarter went much the same with senior Marquell Specks running the ball up the left sideline six yards to even the score before Mira Mesa struck back with two more TDs, ending the first half with a 28-14 lead over the Pointers. The second half was a much different story in terms of keeping the game close. When the Pointers left the field at halftime, the game looked like it could turn around if the home team were able to make adjustments as Hastings and his staff have done so many times. Unfortunately, the Marauders were just too strong for the relatively young Pointer squad, who had only a handful of returning starters to depend on when facing a tough, physical opponent. “Here’s the reality of what we do. We play a tough schedule to get ready for the Western League, to make a run and win the league championship,” said Hastings. “Playing teams like Mira Mesa is good for us. We will be better prepared and we will be back.” The PLHS defense was able to hold Mira Mesa to only one score in the third quarter, but the Marauders manhandled their way to 20 additional points in the final period to cement the win. Mira Mesa has only one loss this season, and that was to the No. 1-ranked Oceanside squad on the road. The senior-laden squad has the experience and size to beat up on younger teams. “We played a good team,” said senior linebacker Michael Todter. “We didn’t play our best game, defensively or offensively, but we can take a lot away from this game. We just need to get back to the basics, blocking and coverage, and staying in our gaps to get where we need to be. I feel good about this season.” A point of contention came near the end of the game when the outcome of the game was not even remotely in question. Point Loma had third-string players getting experience on the field. This is common in lopsided games, but Mira Mesa head coach Gary Blevins — perhaps in anticipation of celebrating his 100th career win — decided to reinsert his starters. “It’s high school football,” said Hastings. “There is no excuse for bringing your first-string defense back out on the field like he did. We’re not in the BCS (Bowl Championship Series in college) trying to score as many points as possible to get ahead in the rankings.” The Pointers are now 2-2 and will host another nonleague matchup on Saturday, Oct. 4 against Granite Bay High School, which will pay a visit from the Sacramento area. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.