La Jolla defenders seek to limit Warhawk quarterback
Kareem Coles (7) in battle royale Oct. 31.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
The days of giving the La Jolla High football team "attaboys" for just putting a scare in the opposing team are becoming a thing of the past.
Formerly, people felt sympathy for the poor Vikings when they played good teams and gave them credit just for making the old college try.
In the Vikings' 38-31 loss to Madison at home Oct. 31, the real-game grit on the Warhawks' sideline in the second half--as the visitors battled to come back from a 24-18 deficit--was palpable. No one on the team or among the coaching staff was acting as if a win by their side was inevitable, as it had been in the past.
The Western League favorites were locked in a life-and-death struggle against La Jolla.
Even though the Vikings did have a 24-9 lead early in the second quarter, which they gained with a long Collin Rugg-to-Brandon Bonham pass play, that they couldn't hold. Even though La Jolla still had a 24-15 lead up to the 6:33 point in the third quarter, which they let slip away.
And even though the red-and-black went up 31-24 on a Rugg fake to running back Joe Vang, then a short scamper across a wide-open goal line to the left with 9:10 left in the fourth quarter, but gave ground--it was different.
Brandon Bonham pulls in pass from Collin Rugg
for 24-9 Viking lead early in the second quarter.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
There isn't a feeling the same way as before, "Oh, no, here we go again." The Vikings' potent offense, as it has been proving for two seasons, is the real deal.
And the La Jolla defense is now worthy of some respect. Even in the Jason Carter era of the past 21 games, the offense quickly established its record-setting pace. But the defensive unit--which went through two coordinators--lagged behind.
Twice in this big game, against a perennial CIF playoff power, the Vikings (1-2 in the Western League, 4-5 overall) made goal line stands to shut down the Warhawks. The second came with 9:50 remaining in the third quarter, La Jolla up 24-15. La Jolla stopped quarterback Kareem Coles and his vaunted offense inside the five-yard line, turning the ball over on downs.
The first successful goal line stand came on the opening drive of the game. Coles, a big pass-and-run commodity bound for Utah State, reeled off a 40-yard scramble to the Viking 19-yard line. But inside the 10, Madison couldn't go any further.
It was a nice start to a sparsely-attended Halloween night game, students occupied with costume parties and trick-or-treating.
In addition to the real-competitor grit of the Viking football team, the school's embryonic marching band--first in the school's history--under the direction of Mr. Fiedler took up plenty of space and looked quite at home on the field during a halftime performance of songs from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," fitting for a night that more than spooked the visitors from Madison.
Plaudits also go to the Varsity Cheer squad on a crisp, well-rehearsed dance routine to open halftime. This, despite the fact the Vikings cheerleaders have been without their advisor since the Point Loma game. She had to resign, apparently due to family responsibilities. The cheer mothers stepping in to provide supervision for the girls have done an outstanding job.
Running back Reid Martin showed he has shucked off even more of the rust accumulated while missing the Vikings' first six games, as he had some key carries against a bruising Madison defensive line.
Bonham had an outstanding night for the receiver corps. He became even more of a target for Rugg's long tosses after Carlton O'Neal suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and didn't return. Receiver Trenton Fudge also had key receptions for the Vikes.
As was said, the La Jolla defense was firing on all cylinders in this high-stakes contest. Grant Miller and Andrew Mitchell were around the ball a lot all night, as was Anthony Stanley and other defenders. They were tasked with the onerous job of slowing big back Isaiah Osborne, as well as the mobile and versatile Coles, an athletic lefthander.
Rugg added a wrinkle to his arsenal. He had two touchdowns on the ground, to go along with his two in the air. He had never done this before. His earlier rushing touchdown came on a goal line stand, as he bulled his way through the middle of the line to score against the Warhawk defense. His rushing total for the entire game was 3 yards--2 on one touchdown carry, 1 on the other.
Rugg has increasingly taken little opportunities here and there to run the ball. He does so with more and more confidence. It has seemed like the natural progression of his game, after getting his feet wet in the thick of the battle last year.
The Vikings twice used a fake punt play with back-up quarterback Berkeley Stobo as the passer. Stobo isn't a known factor to opponents. So when he lined up in front of Fudge, the supposed punter, he blended into the background.
In the first instance, the play worked. La Jolla lined up in punt formation on fourth down, then Fudge left his position where he would normally punt from. Suddenly, Stobo, his jersey number 9 visible, stood in shotgun behind center Mateo Jimenez. His surprise pass went seven yards for the first down, and the Vikings retained the ball.
The play didn't work the second time, as Stobo's pass fluttered and fell short of the intended receiver.
Copyright 2014 Ed Piper
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