By Ed Piper
La Jolla's vaunted offense, led by quarterback Jackson Stratton, staged a dramatic second half comeback from 25 points down to visiting Scripps Ranch Fri., Aug. 27.
But the comeback fell one point short, the Vikings' last gasp dying with 1:43 left when the Falcons dodged a bullet as determined mini-back Jalen Shaw (a slender 170 pounds) achieved a first down on 3rd-and-one to insert the final dagger. Scripps Ranch prevailed, 52-51.
The night was a remarkable display of offensive weapons dealt out by opposing 6'4" (Stratton) and 6'6" (Scripps' junior Jax Leatherwood) quarterbacks towering over their respective teammates at Edwards Stadium in La Jolla. The large crowds for both sides were in for a treat.
In the near-comeback by the hosts, Viking receiver Mason Powers, building on his performance the week before against overmatched Bishop's, showed he was king of dexterity and acrobatics as he pulled down two key touchdown receptions from Stratton for at 52-35 and 52-43.
Another Powers catch, tacked on to his TD with 1:24 left in the third quarter, scored two points as LJ Coach Tyler Roach madly tried to bring his team back from key missed and blocked PAT kicks earlier in the game--the Vikings' chief bugaboo on the close game.
With 2:44 remaining in the game, La Jolla down by nine, Stratton found receiver Spence Carswell in the southern end zone from 20 yards out. Jackson then ran the ball in for two points on the conversion. The Vikings trailed by one.
But Scripps and Coach Marlon Gardinera were able to run the clock out, keeping the ball on the ground. La Jolla's hopes ended with the late first down by Shaw.
No comments:
Post a Comment