By Ed Piper
Whereas Bishop's, in opening week, with quarterback Cash Herrera showing skill and flair and dishing to running back Ruben Gutierrez III and his receivers--most of all, solid senior Ian Browne--trading blows with La Jolla and sprinting out to 14-7 and 21-14 leads, the latter with 4:29 left in the second quarter, Madison, the Vikings' week-three opponent, did not exhibit the same flair.
Madison looked flat and lacked energy as the game wore on, as I wrote in my game story (see earlier entry). Sure, this had to do with the beat-down La Jolla was applying to the head of the Warhawks. But for a Rick Jackson-coached team, observers had plenty reason to be surprised.
The Vikings' offense, under the guardianship of Head Coach Tyler Roach, who is his own Offensive Coordinator, came at Madison with more and more weapons, many which we had not seen much of before: Kai Fukuda on two jet sweeps (we had never seen that before, even in 7-v-7 summer passing leagues), Alex Figueiredo playing a bigger role in running the ball with back/receiver Hank Hansen out with injury. Receiver/safety Carson Diehl also sat due to injury for the first time in his two-year high school career, to my knowledge.
The Warhawks' QB, Isaac Diaz, functioned adequately. He wasn't wowing anyone the way Herrera, a year farther in school than Diaz (junior to sophomore), did in going 13 for 26 in the Bishop's defeat. I realize these guys are not college scholarship or pro players, so I hesitate being heavy in my criticism of them. I'd much rather point up La Jolla's positives than tear down hard-working preps who are living their dream by playing high school ball with their buddies.
Warhawk running back Adrian Sola put in plenty of labor, but again, he fell short as the Vikings countered with all-league Aidan "Carolina" McGill, who was again grinding out the hard yards as La Jolla plowed uphill in the early going. Figueiredo also shined, getting his first featured running with his teammates sidelined and the Vikes in need of a spark on Patriot Day/9-11 observance night.
It was quite a night for the "Figgie" family, as Alex ran, and Evan kicked, much to the delight of La Jolla fans. Another celebration, though muted by the modesty of the individual involved, was merited by the breakout performance of tight end/defensive end Nico Bardaro, whose proud father was taking photos along the home sideline. The tall (6'2"), still-growing Bardaro shined during the Vikes' two-game set at the UCLA passing tournament back at the end of June. He is just starting his sophomore year in high school.
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