Photos by Ed Piper
La Jolla's field hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision to Bishop's in a cross-city rivalry and league competition on a sudden-death overtime goal by talented freshman Lola Conway, daughter of former LJHS Athletic Director and coach Paula Conway, Wed., Oct. 16, on the Vikings' field.
Before the game, La Jolla was ranked number two in the CIF San Diego Section with a 9-2 record, Bishop's one step above in the first slot with 16 wins, one loss. Both were in rankings by MaxPreps.
Viking coach Amanda Combs' squad carries an extremely high strength of schedule rating of 12.3, the Knights down at 7.9. The strength ranking plays into MaxPreps' logarithm to figure out school rankings.
A team that plays easy teams, obviously, is not going to get a high ranking, whether its won-lost record is good or poor. On the other hand, there's the tricky question of how much strength of schedule plays into a school's ranking, since the specifics of MaxPreps' algorithm are not generally known.
Surprisingly, perennial San Diego powers Canyon Hills (formerly Serra) and Scripps Ranch trail the Vikings and Knights, standing fourth and fifth in the section.
In between them, Cathedral Catholic is ranked third with a 15-3 record but only 8.2 strength of schedule.
Combs' unit also stands second in California, behind Bishop's.
Nationally, MaxPreps puts La Jolla at 11th, with Bishop's 10th.
Cathedral is way back at 38th, Canyon Hills 67th, Scripps Ranch 90th.
Photos by Ed Piper
By Ed Piper
Heidi Weise, a senior, is student trainer for the La Jolla High football team. She plays goalie for the Viking girls soccer team. Her brother Drake is a junior cornerback on the Viking football team. These remarks came before the football team's game at Scripps Ranch Fri., Oct. 4.
You're student trainer. Your brother is on the team. How is that?
It's so fun. I get to go to his games and watch him play. It's fun. We have a good relationship.
And then sports is life for you, right?
Yeah. We actually both play soccer in the winter, so that's pretty fun.
Jordan Lawson is the new offensive and defensive line coach for the La Jolla High football team. He shows a lot of energy on the sideline during games as he has gotten more comfortable in Vikingland. These comments were made before the Vikings' game at Scripps Ranch High Fri., Oct. 4.
Jordan Lawson.
What's up?
First, where did you play in college? We were trying to look it up. You're under the radar.
I played JUCO (junior college) ball, and then I walked on at (indecipherable).
How have the two weeks of work (with the bye week Sept. 27) been?
Much needed. We got some injured guys healed up. Some R&R for everybody, coaches and players alike.
Good. How would you rate your linemen so far (five games into the season, two games into league)?
We always got to get better. I like our speed and our containment. I think we can turn the notch up a little with the physicality. The few times we've done that consistently, it's showed. So hopefully we can bring that, see a bunch of three-and-a-halves, cause a few turnovers.
You're pretty animated on the sidelines.
Is that so? (grinning)
I'm using a euphemism. You're pretty active, vocal.
That's not how I've ever been (quiet). That's not how I was when I played, and it's not how I am when I'm coaching. It's that type of sport.
Alex and Olivia Awbrey are sophomore varsity cheerleaders for La Jolla High. These comments were made prior to the Vikings' football game at Mira Mesa High Fri., Oct. 11.
The twins both also compete for the La Jolla High dive team in the spring.
How is it having your twin on the La Jolla High cheer squad?
(Both jumping into the conversation) It's kind of interesting because we're both flyers (the ones at the top of the cheer stunt when they all build a pyramid), and we had to, like, compete for a flying spot.
He (their coach, Christian Velazquez) always tries to flip us. It's really annoying. It's really funny.
He thinks we're interchangeable, so...
Are there times when you just think, Treat me like one of a kind?
I don't think he remembers our names either, so he doesn't try.
He'll go like your name, your name, we're in a row together--he does what he can to avoid it.
What's the best thing about cheerleading?
Stunting. Stunting.
PASSING
Hudson Smith 17-28 237 yards 3 TD's
Mira Mesa 13-22 140 yards 2 TD's 1 interception
RUSHING
Aidan McGill 24 carries, 226 yards 4 TD's
Aiden Farrell 7 carries, 37 yards 1 TD
Hudson Smith 2 carries, 5 yards
Mira Mesa 37 carries, 205 yards 4 TD's 1 fumble
RECEIVING
Nico Bardaro 4 receptions, 69 yards
Kai Fukuda 4 receptions, 49 yards 1 TD
Lukas Grismer 1 reception, 5 yards
Aiden Farrell 1 reception, 3 yards
Mira Mesa 13 receptions, 140 yards 2 TD's
DEFENSIVE
Carson Diehl 1 interception
Mira Mesa - Jovan Gorum 1 interception
