Sideline conference with Tanner Watson (14), Tyler
Eckermann (94), Andrew Mitchell (47), and Grant
Miller (85). (Photo by Ed Piper)
Viking football could be better than last year, when it had its breakout season.
The Vikings who returned this year and who moved up from junior varsity have a year under their belts in Coach Jason Carter's program.
Quarterback Collin Rugg is visibly bigger and stronger than last year. To stand next to him is to stand next to a young man who measures about 6'5". He is filling out, partly due to another year of growth and partly due to the weightlifting program. Plus his poise and confidence have to have increased. He appears relaxed, enjoying what he's doing, and hanging with the guys. Plus it's no secret that he lives for football--just talk to his mom anytime.
La Jolla started off fast in their opener against small-school Country Day, where Carter served as offensive coordinator under retired head coach Jeff Hutzler. On their first possession, a minute and a half into the opening quarter, the offense began its first drive on its own 35-yard line that culminated in a touchdown a rapid 1:03 later.
But make no mistake: Country Day put a scare into the LJHS sideline when sophomore quarterback Cole Burmeister, an athletic individual who reportedly was held back a year by his parents to grow bigger, ran through the Viking defense for a 54-yard touchdown to open the game. It came on 3rd-and-3 from the Torreys' own 46-yard line.
Running back Jonathan Levenson looks purposeful.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
At times last season, and at this moment, there have been occasions when the speed-up mode La Jolla plays on offense sometimes seems to lend a little chaos to the Vikings' defensive side. Platoons are coming off the field and going onto the field at such a rate that things can look a little hurried, harassed, not quite settled.
But back to La Jolla's lightning-strike initial score, the drive looked efficient and immediately put the lesser-manned hosts (suiting up only 25 or so players--the Vikings list 49 on their roster) on notice that they were going to have their hands full trying to contain Rugg, Brandon Bonham, Carlton O'Neal, and associates.
To begin, Da'Jour Tims returned Country Day's kick 15 yards. Then O'Neal plowed left 15 more yards to put the ball on the midfield line. After a long pass attempt fell incomplete, Rugg pulled it back in for a shorter pass to Carlton on the right sideline, O'Neal making a fabulous diving catch over his defender right in front of the La Jolla bench for a 5-yard pickup. On 3rd-and-5, again it was Rugg to O'Neal for the first down.
Interestingly, with the Vikings' firepower in the air, their first two touchdowns crossed the goal line on running plays: junior Jonathan Levenson from 11 yards out to the left on this drive, and sophomore Joe Vang on their next possession from six yards out going right. Levenson scored with 9:25 left in the first quarter.
Country Day has many fewer students in its student body than La Jolla, though it is a private school and can offer scholarships as inducements to athletes. It plays in the Coastal League and is a Division 5 school. It will be interesting to see how La Jolla fares against larger schools in coming weeks.
Copyright 2014 Ed Piper
No comments:
Post a Comment