The Pipeline

Monday, October 19, 2026

LJ b water polo: Host Bishop's Wed., 10/21

By Ed Piper

La Jolla's water polo team, having been defeated soundly by Cathedral Catholic Wed., Oct. 14, plays host to the other member of the Western League's "big three", Bishop's, on Wed., Oct. 21.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

LJ FB: Even more photos 10/16

Photos by Ed Piper

Viking punter Ryan Hassankhami (far left, behind

#8) narrowly gets a kick off against the

Christian rush in the second quarter.

LJ QB Brody Bukich (7) takes a snap in dangerous

territory, the end zone, in the second quarter.

The Vikings punted, which led to Christian's

scoring drive given a short field--starting at the

35-yard line.

Jackson Hanlon (8) is tackled in the end zone

by the Patriots' Drew Gaut for a safety,

making the score 9-7 in favor of Christian

with seven minutes left in the third quarter.

LJ Cheer: LJ-Christian FB 10/16

Photos by Ed Piper

LJ FB: More photos 10/16

Photos by Ed Piper

Bryson Grant (4) takes in a 19-yard pass from

Viking QB Brody Bukich for a touchdown

with 4:34 left in the second quarter. It was

the eighth play in the drive. LJ tied the game, 7-7.

Tiny Christian QB Joel Hardy IV (far right),

a sophomore forced into starting when the

Patriots' original quarterback was injured,

faces a La Jolla defense of Nico Bardaro (15)

and Blake Alexander (9).

Junior Kali Deberry (23) gains 15 yards

on a screen pass to nearly reach midfield

early in the second quarter. Lineman

Zach Gergurich (middle) jolts the defender

on the play.

Freshman receiver Zakai

Jackson chats on the sidelines

after suffering a broken collarbone

against Cathedral last week,

Oct. 9.

LJ QB Brody Bukich (7) fires a pass to the right

intended for receiver Andre Hill (not in view).

Viking linebacker A.J. Lennan tackles

Christian running back Julian Morones (4)

at the end of the first half.

LJ freshman Ian Jameson (19) covers Quentin

Uhland (23) of Christian on this incomplete

pass early in the third quarter.

This touchdown by Julian Morones (black

uniform, falling) was called back for an

illegal shift by Christian in the third period.

Viking Sean Bannon (5, lying on the ground)

tried to tackle Morones on the play.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

LJ FB: Game story 10/16

Viking running back Kali Deberry runs

for more of the 100 yards he gained

on 17 carries at Granite Hills High

Fri., Oct. 16.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

In a battle between 1-1 La Jolla and 0-2 Christian--their Eastern League records going in--the Vikings (now 3-5 overall) eked out a narrow 15-9 win by the smallest of margins under desert-like conditions with a strong wind blowing amid 84-degree conditions at Granite Hills High Fri., Oct. 16.

The decisive touchdown, following a 16-yard run from the Patriot 21-yard line by junior running back Kali Deberry, proved to be sweet partial vindication for La Jolla quarterback Brody Bukich.

The junior transfer from Mt. Carmel High has had struggles much of the season. Coach Tyler Roach has been patient with him. On second down-and-goal, Bukich ran behind blocking to the far right to cross the goal line from four yards out. The TD completely fooled the defense, which concentrated itself toward the middle of the line. It occurred with 6:14 remaining in the game, and the Viking defensive unit held on to make the score stand up.

Patriot coach Patrick Bugg's number-one weapon, Julian Morones, a sophomore who plays linebacker as he goes both ways on offense and defense, carried 24 times and nearly helped pull off a win.

After Christian went up 7-0 in the second quarter on QB Joel Hardy IV's 13-yard pass to fellow sophomore Gavin Runkle, the visitors answered right back on the next possession with Bukich's 19-yard completion to Bryson Grant for a 7-7 tie.

Then, after halftime, the Viking defense denied Morones and the Patriots on a drive that fell short inside the La Jolla five-yard line. On the play before Morones carried and was stopped shy of the goal line, Christian had a touchdown by the 5'9", 197-pound sophomore called back due to a flag for an illegal shift.

Taking over on downs, with their backs against the goal, the Vikings suffered a safety for two points scored against them when Bukich completed an aerial to Jackson Hanlon, who was standing in the end zone when he got tackled. La Jolla trailed, 9-7.

Before the game, Roach said his "inside linemen" were going to play a big role in the game. He was right: La Jolla's offense ground out 114 yards rushing among four players, while Christian covered 151 yards on the ground in the low-scoring game. Morones, with 135 yards, gained the bulk of the Patriots' ground game.