By Ed Piper
In week 4 of the high school football season, meeting tough Del Norte, another 2-1 team coming in, the Vikings went with their main guns in a battle that went down to the last second and an interception in the northern end zone by senior Tommy Castronovo, who is becoming something of a local legend for his hard hits and persistent spirit.
Running back Justin Scully, who also provided several bruising stops on defense, broke loose for a 66-yard run from the Vikes' own 34-yard line late in the first quarter to put the hosts up 7-0 with Evan Martin's PAT kick.
Junior quarterback Jackson Diehl, in his third straight effective performance, found favorite target Ryan Weinberg in the end zone from 28 yards out early in the next quarter for to make it 14-0. The rain, which came as the result of Tropical Storm Kay, stopped soon after this and the warm air of the storm provided for an enjoyable shirt-sleeve evening for many the rest of the way.
The vocal La Jolla student section, standing throughout the game--dressed again in all white--lent their support to Scully, Diehl, and Weinberg and company through thick and thin.
Diehl and Weinberg teamed up again for a catch-and-run play that covered 54 yards for a 21-0 lead following the frustrating start. (See other game story.)
The Nighthawks, coached by Leigh Cole, an extremely popular coach on campus, tightened things up by going Jack Schneider to Christopher Guzman for 24 yards and a score early in the second half, a 21-7 La Jolla lead.
Del Norte rallied again with 8:06 left in the game with a Schneider to Ty Olsen connection for 22 yards, the game becoming extremely tight at 21-13. The Nighthawks tried for a two-point conversion, but failed.
In a wildcat formation that was all Justin Scully, the Vikes pushed the ball over on the third snap to Scully from one yard out with 1:15 left, giving the hosts a cushion at 27-13. The conversion was no good.
The Nighthawks, demonstrating incredible momentum, delivered with 38.1 seconds on the clock on another Schneider-to-Olsen play, stretching 72 yards. The kick was good. La Jolla now led only 27-20.
Del Norte squibbed the kickoff, recovered on La Jolla's 48-yard line. Two completions to Olsen were followed by the last-ditch heave to the end zone, where Castronovo caught the ball and celebrated.
SCORING
1st Quarter
LJ - Justin Scully 66-yard run; Evan Martin kick; LJ lead 7-0
2nd Quarter
LJ - Ryan Weinberg, 28-yard reception from Jackson Diehl; Martin kick; LJ lead 14-0
LJ - Weinberg 54-yard reception from Diehl; Martin kick; LJ lead 21-0
3rd Quarter
DN - Christopher Guzman 24-yard reception from Jack Schneider; Trey Coleman kick; LJ lead 21-7
4th Quarter
DN - Ty Olsen 22-yard reception from Schneider; PAT no good; LJ lead 21-13
LJ - Scully 1-yard run; PAT failed; LJ lead 27-13
DN - Olsen 72-yard reception from Schneider; Coleman kick good; LJ lead 27-20
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