LJ FB: J.O.N.

Jonathan O'Neal (middle), at the La Costa Canyon
7-on-7 tournament last summer. (Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Johnathan O'Neal, previously known for his defensive exploits but now, more and more, showing receiving skills on the offensive side, made a spectacular grab of a Trevor Scully pass on La Jolla's second possession against Central. He tipped the ball, then firmly caught it while still moving, making a 13-yard advance for a first down.

This was to be O'Neal's night individually, though his team, which he captains, took a loss--not due to any shortcoming on his part.

Besides his interception on the play preceding his highlight grab, the 6'1", 170-pound senior made another fine reception in the center of the field on a later drive.

Defensively, the free safety worked like a demon, hearing his name frequently called on the public address system after stops.

On one athletic play, O'Neal leaped to get an arm and his body in the way to successfully prevent a pass completion on a Central 1st-and-10 in the first period.

Earlier, Johnathan had a reception on offense on 1st-and-10 from the Central 36, in the drive that he made possible with his interception of Spartan quarterback Deniro Osuna and initiated with his catch after tipping the ball.