La Jolla High’s football team played it close as it has much of the season, but came out on the short end of a 13-7 decision to Hoover High last week in its regular-season finale.
Down 7-0, the first quarter was frustrating for the La Jolla offense, as it moved the ball to midfield only to be turned back by a stingy Hoover defense.
After falling behind 13-0, the Vikings moved the ball down the field with some nice runs by big junior fullback Ja’Rodd Watson and tailbacks Jerrell Agnew and Yien Gatkouth. A 15-yard personal foul gave the Vikings the ball on Hoover’s 7 with just :50 left in the half. The Vikings went to their “heavy” backfield, with the 265-pound Watson and 260-pound Edward Johnson as blocking backs for 210-pound senior tailback Philip Stewart. Stewart lowered his shoulder and scored the touchdown from the 4 (Andres Liera PAT) to trim the lead to 13-7.
“In the second half of action, you had to appreciate the great defense and intense hitting shown by both teams,” noted La Jolla High head coach Dave Ponsford. “Hoover never challenged the end zone, as defensive coordinator Rey Hernandez forced Hoover to go away from their highly regarded passing game and attempt to gain yardage on the ground.”
On the evening, Hoover ran the ball 29 times for only 52 yards. The second half for the Vikings was exasperating, as turnovers and penalties stopped several promising drives. With just :56 left in the game, the Vikings took over the ball deep in their own territory and moved the ball down the field on a drive that was highlighted by senior quarterback Casey Richmond’s 39-yard pass to Agnew, who made a fine catch with defenders all around him. Hoover again stopped the drive with an interception, and ended the Vikings’ upset plans.
La Jolla (3-7) got strong defensive performances from Garrett Anderson, Watson, Johnson and senior Richard Moore. La Jolla’s defensive backs made big play after big play against the speedy Cardinal receivers. Sophomore Robbie Beathard, juniors Kevin Miller and Moyer, as well as senior Blake Shelburne helped limit Hoover to just seven completed passes for 107 yards. Shelburne also pitched in with an interception on the afternoon.
“I really believe that we had one of the more challenging schedules of city schools teams,” Ponsford added.
Despite their losing record, the Vikings and their tough schedule advanced to the CIF playoffs, which kick off this weekend. Eighth-seeded La Jolla will host ninth-seeded Clairemont on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
The Bishop’s School dropped a 21-10 decision to league foe Francis Parker last weekend.
Parker’s Gino Gordon had 131 yards rushing to lead the Lancers to the win. Bishop’s Tim Costello accounted for his team’s points with a kickoff return for a touchdown and a field goal.
With the win, the Lancers got the top seed in CIF Division V while the Knights got the third seed.
“We feel very fortunate that we play in such a tough league,” Bishop’s head coach Mike David said. “Every week we are playing incredible competition. There is no doubt that this will prepare us for the playoffs. We are going to concentrate for the next two weeks at practicing at playoff speed.”
Bishop’s will play the winner of the La Jolla Country Day and Army-Navy game on Friday, Nov. 24, at La Jolla High School at 7:30 p.m.
La Jolla Country Day School captured its third consecutive Pacific League football title with a come-from-behind 24-7 victory over H-Town Christian Academy last Friday night at home (see story on page X).
LJCD, seeded sixth, moves into the CIF’s this Friday night when they host 11th-seeded Army-Navy Academy at 7:30 p.m.
LJCD’s junior varsity team played an outstanding game, tying Escondido Charter’s varsity team 28-28. LJCD JV ended a great season at 7-1-1.