Eric Tims, Viking two-way back

Running back Eric Tims (2, leaving Mater Dei defender sprawling) had a career game in the quarterfinals of CIF playoffs Nov. 22. He amassed 236 yards on 24 carries, with three touchdowns. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Eric Tims
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 2
Positions: Running back, cornerback
LJHS Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "One word to describe Eric is 'elusive.' He is always exciting with the ball in his hands and has the ability to leave you scratching your head and wondering how in the world he just pulled that off. As shown in the game versus Mater Dei, Eric can take over a game at any time when he commits and puts his mind to it. He had a great week of practice leading up to the game and it really paid off."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Da'Jour Tims, Viking two-way back

Defender Da'Jour Tims (4) militates against Kearny back Anfernee Hamilton (3) in Vikings' 32-3 win over the Komets Nov. 8. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Da'Jour Tims
Year in school: Junior
Uniform number: 4
Positions: Defensive and offensive back
Relatives: Brother Eric Tims, also a two-way back, and father Eric Tims Sr., Assistant Coach. Mom is pretty prominent, too, leading the support crew in the stands.
La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Da'Jour is a great kid that loves the game of football. He is a dynamic player and has played all over the field for us this year, including linebacker, corner, safety, and wide receiver. He's even throw for two TD's. He's a kid that other teams definitely have to scheme against and account for on all plays."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Sergio Ortiz, Viking kicker

Kicker Sergio Ortiz (75) in season opener at Mt. Carmel. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Sergio Ortiz
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 75
Position: Kicker
La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "He tore a ligament in his knee in the San Marcos game (Sept. 6). He has continued to rehab and has avoided surgery (during the season). He works on short yardage kicks everyday, so it was great to see him get in there in the Mater Dei game and knock a few through the uprights."
Sergio on his chance to get a PAT kick or two in the CIF quarterfinal game vs. Mater Dei Nov. 22: "It was nice. It has been a long time."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Trenton Fudge, kicker and punter

Kicker Trenton Fudge (19), with Carlton O'Neal (3) holding, in action against UC Oct. 11. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Trenton Fudge
Year in school: Sophomore
Uniform number: 19
Positions: Punter, place kicker on field goals and kickoffs
La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Fudge has been great. Being able to step up as a sophomore and take over our team's kicking game has been huge. We've put a lot of pressure on him during practices and it has paid off in games. He's grown a ton during the season and probably made one of the biggest plays of the game last week versus Mater Dei when he dodged a potential punt blocker to get a punt off early in the game."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Ronnie Griffen, Viking lineman

Defensive lineman Ronnie Griffen (65) with his dad, Tom, who blows the family's Hawaiian conch shell on the sideline after each touchdown or big play. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Ronnie Griffen
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 65
Position: Lineman
Leadership role on team: One of four captains
Mentoring influence: Former LJHS Assistant Coach Luis Moya, who had a heart-to-heart talk with Ronnie when he was a freshman, discouraged and considering quitting football. Coach Moya talked him out of it. Coach Moya passed away three years ago. Ronnie wore Coach Moya's retired number 74 jersey in honor of him during one of the Vikings' games this season.
Head Coach Jason Carter: "Ronnie is a coach's dream. He's one of our four captains. He's a blue-collar kid that you can depend on every time he sets foot on and off the field. He's a great teammate and leads by example. I could sing his praises for days."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Brandon Bonham, Viking wide receiver

Brandon Bonham (7) goes vertical to catch a Collin Rugg touchdown pass of six yards in the first quarter at Homecoming against Coronado Oct. 4. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Brandon Bonham
Year in school: Junior
Uniform number: 7
Position: Wide receiver
Awards: All-Western League Second Team

La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Brandon is a big-time playmaker and has come up with some incredible catches throughout the year. Opposing teams always have to scheme a way to stop number 7."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Nic Skala, Viking wide receiver

Nic Skala (11) collects leaping touchdown against outmatched UC defender Oct. 11. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Nic Skala
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 11
Positions: Wide receiver, defensive back, special teams
Other sport he plays: Basketball
Awards: All-Western League First Team

Comment by La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Skala is a stud. He sells out for his teammates every game. He's not afraid to go across the middle to make big-time catches. It's rare you find your star receiver leading your team in special teams tackles. When our offense needs a big play in a game, Nic is the first guy we look to, which says a lot, because we have quite a few playmakers on offense."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Demarco Bland, Viking free safety

Demarco Bland (1) breaks up pass intended for Valley Center tight end Josh Lucas (26) at Blastoff Sept. 13. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Demarco Bland
Year in school: Senior
Position: Free safety
Uniform number: 1
Awards: All-Western League First Team

Comment by LJHS Defensive Coordinator Junior Leoso: "Great nose for the football. Hits like a 200-lb. linebacker!"


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

International sports interest

Countries from which folks have viewed my blog

This is pretty fun. As of this writing (Nov. 26, 2013, 5 p.m.), folks from the following nations have viewed my blog about La Jolla High sports:

South Korea - 5
Germany - 3
Ukraine - 3
Austria - 1
Malaysia - 1
Russia - 1

Either you guys have relatives, aunts and uncles of players in La Jolla sports, looking for info on their nephews or nieces on the fall teams. Or people who have no connection whatsoever to LJHS sports or team members have Googled or fallen into looking at my blog! Either way, it's a lot of fun.

On the blog, there is a "Statistics" category you can click on and retrieve data like this. Like, today there have been 8 views of the blog, and several of those have been on the features on football players Collin Rugg and Reid Martin. Mary Rugg, are you repeatedly looking at your son's features?! Just kidding.

Carlton O'Neal, receiver

Receiver Carlton O'Neal, one of La Jolla's super juniors, toys with defender Evan Davis (5) on reception on Vikings' third possession in the first quarter Nov. 22. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Carlton O'Neal
Year in school: Junior
Uniform number: 3
Position on offense: Receiver
Awards: All-Western League Honorable Mention

Quotes after the win over Kearny in the fog Nov. 8

• On his 66-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter: "We just got into an empty set, just starting to spread out the field. We all ran the same route. (Quarterback) Collin (Rugg) slid around a little bit, found me. Brandon Bonham threw a great block on the edge. I didn't do much really."
• On the last Komet defender who had a chance to catch Carlton, diving after him: "I felt him on my heels a little bit."

Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "I knew from Day One that Carlton would be a playmaker for us on offense. He has fully bought into the program and system and has superb work ethic. He's a matchup nightmare in the slot and a guy you are glad to have on your team. He's continued to improve throughout the season and has had some big games for us the last few weeks."

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Bret Schuman, "Monster" linebacker

Linebacker Bret Schuman grips Mater Dei quarterback Marco Morales (7) during stop in second quarter Nov. 22. The senior defender racked up six solo tackles and one assist on the night. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Bret Schuman
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 31
Position in LJHS 3-4 defense: "Monster" linebacker
Awards: All-Western League Second Team
Solo tackles to date (Nov. 22): 38
Assists: 20
Total tackles on the season: 58

Coach Jason Carter's comment on Bret: "He's a smart kid that has accepted every challenge we have given him and exceeded that. Bret's playing like he wants a championship!"


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Reid Martin, Viking running back

Running back Reid Martin (21) eyes his opening in the Mater Dei line as he grinds for 8 yards on first-and-ten, then 11 yards on second-and-two, midway through the second quarter in La Jolla's crushing 63-21 CIF Division IV quarterfinal victory Nov. 22. The fair-haired junior was an unkind guest to the visitors, pounding in three touchdowns on 20 carries for 121 yards. He has 982 rushing yards through Nov. 22 this season. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Reid Martin
Position: Running back
Year in school: Junior
Awards: All-Western League, Honorable Mention

Quote at the end of the victory over Mater Dei Nov. 22: "It was nice to get some big runs and tire them (the Crusader defense) out in the first quarter. Then we could relax later."

Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Reid brings great work ethic to the table. He is the type of kid you can always rely on to give 100% effort on the field, whether it's a Tuesday practice or Friday night game. Reid will give you the tough yards and can really set the tempo for the offense with his physical runs. Despite Reid's stereotype running style, he is actually pretty elusive in space. We've deemed his signature juke move as the 'La Jolla Drag'."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Collin Rugg, Viking quarterback

Collin Rugg (throwing ball, background right) unleashes a bomb to wide receiver Brandon Bonham (7, in foreground) against Mission Bay Oct. 25. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Collin Rugg
Year in school: Junior
Position: Quarterback
Awards: All-Western League, Second Team

Collin showed rare humor during and after the CIF quarterfinal win over Mater Dei Nov. 22. When asked if an alien had taken over his body when he ran for nine yards on one carry, shaking off a would-be tackler, Rugg replied with a smile: "I'm not sure if it was me (doing the running)."

Then, after the game, he shook his head incredulously, saying, "I can't believe it. I ended the game with positive rushing yardage."

Collin is not known for being fleet of foot. He is better known for his record-breaking passing statistics in the first six or so games of the 2013 season.

La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Collin has been a staple of our offense all season and continues to improve each week as a leader, regardless of stat lines. I think his true competitive nature came out in the playoff game versus Mater Dei when he decided to keep the ball on a designed run play to our running back, because he saw the safety blitzing into the hole. He scrambled for about nine yards and took a hit from a defender, popped right back up and fired up the offense and two plays later we scored. Those few minutes in the game really changed the momentum and we ran with it from there."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Jason Carter, La Jolla Head Football Coach

La Jolla Head Football Coach Jason Carter, appealing his case on the Viking sideline to the referees in the Blastoff game Sept. 13 against Valley Center (Photo by Ed Piper)


Before the regular season finale against Kearny Nov. 8, after a reporter commented, "It's going to be a good evening"-
Coach Carter (not laughing, preoccupied with pregame preparation): "It better be a good evening."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Justin Cook, All-Western League First Team, Football

All-Western League First Team defender Justin Cook (69) pulls down the unfortunate Marco Morales (7, partially obscured), Mater Dei quarterback, in a sack midway through the second quarter in the Vikings' 63-21 thrashing of the Crusaders in the CIF Division IV quarterfinals Nov. 22. Cook led a furious La Jolla defensive assault with four sacks. The defense recorded seven sacks as a whole. (Photo by Ed Piper)

Justin Cook
Year in school: Senior
Number in black jersey: 15
New number in red jersey: 69
Position in Defensive Coordinator Junior Leoso's 3-4 defense: Noseguard

Comment near the end of La Jolla's win over Mater Dei Nov. 22: "I think it's our best defensive game."

Junior Leoso, Vikings Defensive Coordinator (Photo by Ed Piper)


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Snapshot: Gabby Quiggle, varsity cheerleader

Gabby Quiggle, one of at least two tumblers or gymnasts on the LJHS Varsity Cheer squad along with Lydia Trautmiller (rear right). (Photo by Ed Piper)

 

Gabby Quiggle, a junior at La Jolla High

 

Food: When I was young, I became addicted to popcorn shrimp at Joe's Crab Shack.

Music group: Linkin Park

Song: "Counting the Stars" by OneRepublic. It's a love song. It's about how unimportant money is, and how it should be about trust.

Educational plans: I'm a junior, but one place I'm thinking about is the University of Oregon. It's not too far from home. I like the weather up there. I grew up in San Diego. My dad Scott is a computer technician, and I was thinking of taking a computer course next year. I took Computer Graphics already. Another (possible area of concentration) is dermatology. I really like physiology.

Dream job: Dermatologist.

Historical figure: Columbus. He brought everything back to live in America. That's where I live today, and without him it wouldn't be the way it is today. We're pretty free.

On her tumbling and gymnastics: I've been doing gymnastics since I was six. I don't know how I got into it. I guess one day I told my mom, "I want to do that." As I got older, I went to the YMCA and then I got pretty good. Then I started going to this place in Poway, and they really expanded my tumbling success. Then I found cheerleading, and that's more tumbling than anything. Gymnastics is a lot of variation, like the uneven bar and the beam and the floor.

Comment on LJHS cheer squad: I feel like the cheer team really helps me with stress. During practice, we stunt a lot. That is really exhausting. But it's not just about the exercise. I have a lot of close friends on that team, and I have really close bonds with them now. I want to keep in touch with them when I'm older.

 

 

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper



Kacie Rice, Vikings cheer captain

Kacie Rice, cheer captain (Photo by Ed Piper)


Kacie Rice is one of three captains of the 2013-14 La Jolla Vikings cheer squad under advisor Ashley Monzon.

Favorite food: Fried chicken. My grandma Tippy's. They were from the South--Georgia. She lives here now, though, in Coronado.
Music group: Indie music, but not a particular group.
Song: I love pop music. There's a ton of dance tune stuff, and I'm a cheerleader. But I really like songs with lyrics that mean things. There are so many songs (to choose one).
Historical figure: Edgar Allan Poe. He was the greatest "worst" writer. He defied a lot of the writing laws. That's how I write. I don't to like to write by the rules. I like to write that it makes you feel.
Interests: I love to write. I love to read. I like to write fiction.
Educational and career plans: I'm going to go to a state college. I'm looking mostly at San Diego or San Francisco. And I'd eventually go to a vet (veterinarian) school and become a vet.
Pets: I love animals. I have two Dachsunds at my mom's house, a Golden Retriever, and at my dad's two Jack Russell mixes and a cat.
Thing in the world you would like to change: I think one of the changes the world could use would be in equality, and I mean in civil rights. There's still a lot of racial disagreements and all that kind of stuff.
Comment on LJHS cheer squad this season: We've gotten a lot stronger, not only cheer-wise but also our strength, our relationship with each other. We're open about it. It's not like a professional thing anymore. We've made it more like a friend circle. We hang out with each other all the time outside of practice. We're like the typical cheer group that hangs out at school.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Snapshot: Ian Beed, Vikings' defensive end

Ian Beed, senior, no. 81, defensive end (Photo by Ed Piper)


Year in school: Senior
Position: Defensive end
Number: 81

My nickname for him: "The Venerable Beed" (play on name of 8th century English monk Bede)

On storing up all his energy and focusing it in a productive way in the Kearny game: "When I was coming into this game, something felt different. I felt pumped. I felt ready. I was prepared for this. I was determined coming into the game that we're going to go to CIF. And I took all that, I bottled it up, and I just blew it up on them."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Defensive stats: LJ 14, Madison 38

"Will" linebacker Connor Walton (12) and "Monster" linebacker Bret Schuman (31) create drag for Warhawks running back Kevin Moore (3) in the first half versus Madison. (Photo by Ed Piper)



Defensive stats
La Jolla 14, Madison 38
Nov. 1, 2013

(Tackles-assists)

Grant Miller 7-5
Demarco Bland 6-6
Da'Jour Tims 4-4
Anthony Stanley 3-7
Nic Skala 3-4
Tyler Smith 2-4
Justin Cook 2-1
Eric Tims 2-0
Connor Walton 1-1
Jonathan Levenson 1-1
Connor Hayden 1-0
Bret Schuman 0-6
Ian Beed 0-5
R.C. Ault 0-1
Vail Miesfeld 1-0

LJ g VB 3, UC 1 on an emotional Senior Night

6-foot-2 senior middle blocker Riley Young (8) spikes the ball in action in the first game Tuesday (Nov. 5) versus University City, which La Jolla won 25-19. The Vikings went on to defeat the crosstown rival Centurions 3-1 on an emotional Senior Night. (Photo by Ed Piper)


La Jolla's women's volleyball team overcame a lapse of intensity in the third game Tuesday (Nov. 5), finally putting University City away in the fourth game, 26-24, to close out the Vikings' final regular season match at home, 3-1. La Jolla, which plays its last regular season match before CIF playoffs this afternoon (Nov. 6) at Scripps Ranch, raises its Western League record to 4-5, 16-15 overall. UC falls to 2-7, 15-14 overall.

Sophomore hitter Madeleine Gates continued what Coach David Jones terms "elite" level performance, recording 205 kills in 458 attempts, a 44.8 percent rate, leading into last night's match. That amounts to 2.3 kills per set played. Junior Emma Willis, also 6-foot-2, showed increased intensity and effectiveness.

But the night belonged to the three departing seniors, captain Clare Farley, Riley Young, and the animated Simone Stavros. An especially moved Young said after the match on Senior Night: "It was very, very emotional. There have been a lot of ups and downs my past four years. But it's really nice having a great group of girls this year." "Lots of tears (tonight)," she added.

Farley said, "It feels very good, especially coming out with a big win here, because I feel a lot of closure. We have a lot of momentum going into CIF. It's an exciting experience, because I remember two years ago my sister (Ryan) was in the same spot, and I've watched three groups of seniors go off during Senior Night. And now being a senior, it's kind of unreal. I got to really feel like I'm actually a senior."

Young commented: "I think in the third game we felt like we had already won, and we didn't try as hard. In the fourth game we finished it."

Farley explained that Tuesday was also "Dig for the Cure" night, to grow awareness of the fight to cure breast cancer. She said her sister started La Jolla's involvement three years ago, and she has taken the torch to continue the Vikings' participation to raise money for the cause.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

New normal

Junior safety R.C. Ault (26) makes a lunge for Madison receiver Amaurie Johnson (4) in early first quarter action Friday (Nov. 1) in La Jolla's clash with the Warhawks. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Faith: belief in things unseen.

The new normal, if you've spent any time recently in the La Jolla football "camp", is expecting things to continue to build.

Even down by multiple touchdowns late in a game, coaches are still coaching and players are still intent on making plays--not just "finishing well".

Coach Jason Carter: "We got some talented players here and we're trying to build this program, and we're going to build it. We just got to make sure we do it the right way. We're taking baby steps. With all the bad that's happened, you kind of try to break it each week.

"I thought the guys believed in themselves. I told them before the game, 'Hey, nobody outside of us in this locker room believes in us, what we're going to do today.' I thought we were going to come in here and shock them. I really believed it."

"I think sometimes when you're a positive person, that's infectious and it rubs off and the kids start to believe it. The kids, for the most part, want to know that you believe in them. And if they know that you believe in them, they'll sell out and give you everything they got.

"I think you saw it in the third quarter." "They came out and they made plays. I thought we were the more physical team, and we knocked their guys around and knocked some of their guys out of the game."

Madison coach Rick Jackson: "La Jolla had a great game plan for us. They played physical and fast. They did a really good job."

"It's kind of a crosstown rivalry. We have a lot of respect for their staff and what they do over there. They've done a good job. It was a battle."

"I think we work hard. They do the same thing. They work hard. I think that's what high school athletics is all about. It's showing respect. We want to battle. We want to compete. But at the end of the day, we all do the same thing for kids. We're here to do the right thing. It's good to have coaches like that. I consider us to be like that, so I think it's nice."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Quotebook: Vikings 14, Warhawks 38

Vikings' Bret Schuman (31) tries in vain to interrupt a Diego Ledezma 23-yard field goal with :14 left on the clock in the second quarter Friday night (Nov. 1), but to no avail. The 3-pointer put Madison up 17-0 to end the first half. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Vikings 14, Warhawks 38
Friday, Nov. 1


Anthony Stanley, no. 43, "Mike" linebacker, Junior, La Jolla High: "Everybody thought this was going to be a walkover, but we showed up, and we smacked them in the mouth. We were in it. We really shocked them. I have a lot of cousins on the other team, so it was a personal game."

Jesus Manzano, no. 50, inside linebacker: "There was a time when we picked up momentum and we started driving the ball really well. We got a couple of touchdowns. We came back 17-14, but unfortunately we couldn't capitalize on it."

Coach Jason Carter: "Our boys' effort was outstanding. They were resilient. They fought through all the adversity."

"Watch for the bubble" - called out to the defense from the La Jolla sideline in the fourth quarter.

"Who's got number 15? [La Jolla noseguard Justin Cook]" - heard across the field from the Madison stands late in the game.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Snapshot: Tyrah Majors, cheer captain

Tyrah Majors (foreground right, warming up with teammates before the game), senior cheer captain for the Vikes. (Photo by Ed Piper)



Tyrah Majors, 17, is one of three captains for the La Jolla cheer squad.

Favorite figure: Michael Jackson. A great entertainer. I want to be an entertainer one day - actress and model.
Favorite food: Pancakes.
Inspirational saying: "Never give up. Follow your hopes and dreams."
Education plans: I plan to go to a four-year university, so I can pursue my acting career. Pepperdine University in Malibu (would be my dream pick).
Comment on the cheer squad: The cheer squad is doing great. We just added 12 new girls to the team, so we have 38 girls in all, varsity and JV. We're doing great, always spreading spirit - LJHS.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

FB stats: LJ 14, Madison 38

Senior Eric Tims (2) runs a Madison kick back at close of first half Fri. (Nov. 1) for the Vikings, who dropped a Western League contest at the Warhawks' stadium. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Stats - Madison 38, La Jolla 14
Fri., Nov. 1, 2013

Offense

Passing: Collin Rugg 8-19, 41 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 2 sacks. Da'Jour Tims 1-1, 30 yards, 1 touchdown.

Rushing: Reid Martin 18-58 yards. Eric Tims 2-15 yards.

Receiving: Brandon Bonham 1-30 yards, 1 touchdown. Carlton O'Neal 4-27 yards. Reid Martin 2-13 yards. Nic Skala 1-10 yards, 1 touchdown. Da'Jour Tims 1-7 yards.

Kick returns: Eric Tims 3-82 yards; long - 59 yards.

Madison (3-0 Western League, 8-1 overall). Ranked 6th in CIF.
La Jolla (0-3 Western League, 3-6 overall). La Jolla closes the regular season at Kearny Fri., Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m.

Reid Martin: "We learned..., if we play as a team, how close we can get [against a defending state champion]."

LJ FB turns corner despite loss to Madison, 38-14

Vikings' Carlton O'Neal (3) takes 7-yard reception in first quarter action versus Madison defender Aaron Cintron (19) Friday night (Nov. 1). (Photo by Ed Piper)

What were the signs of La Jolla turning a corner and maturing in a new way as the Vikings faced defending football Division III state champion Madison Friday night (Nov. 1)?

--The Vike defense held All-CIF quarterback Kareem Coles and company to 14 points in the first half.

--The red-and-black offense dropped two reception bombs on the Warhawks to come back to within 17-14 midway through the third quarter.

--Juniors Da'Jour Tims, Grant Miller, and Connor Walton and sophomore Jonathan Levenson, among others, took further steps of growth and hung in there against the sixth-ranked team in CIF.

Answer: All of these. Despite the Vikings' 38-14 loss at the "Mad House", coaches and players displayed smiles and talked about a furtherance of the building that La Jolla has been doing this season--building a new culture in the program, and building toward something bigger and better.

Coach Jason Carter talked about the "baby steps" that his Vikings made against a third-straight tough opponent. "I wanted to see if they would compete against Madison," commented Carter after the contest. His players did.

"I think we learned about our heart and our ability to come back in games," said Carlton O'Neal.

Following a first half in which Madison's talented offense marched the ball down the field and posted a quick 7-0 lead in less than three minutes after winning the pre-game coin toss, then saw La Jolla struggle to get anything going, the Vikings came out in the second half with new energy.

After a catalyzing Eric Tims kick return all the way to the Madison 28-yard line, quarterback Collin Rugg mixed it up with carries by workhorse back Reid Martin and deft passes directed Nic Skala's and Carlton O'Neal's ways. Bingo. First score of the night for the visitors, 17-6, on a pass to the senior Skala, with 10:21 on the clock in the third quarter.

Coach Rick Jackson's Warhawks punted on their next possession. A sack by committee of Coles, the lefty quarterback, was a key stop. Then, in short order from the Madison 41, Martin rushed, O'Neal caught, and Da'Jour Tims fired a 30-yard flea flicker to receiver Brandon Bonham for a touchdown that surprised the Madison defense. Score now: 17-14, after Trenton Fudge's point-after conversion. The home crowd grew silent.

That was the closest La Jolla got. Its defense continued pounding, though, against larger opponents. At one point in the second half, Kareem Coles was knocked out of a couple of series on offense due to hits he took.

"I think we learned about our heart and our ability to come back in games," said O'Neal at the conclusion. "They're the state champs, with only one loss, and we competed really well," said all-purpose back Martin. Several players are juniors, including these two, with another year to look forward to.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper