LJ FB: Ranked 7th in Division 3

Vikings take in halftime words from Coach Jason

Carter in the shadows away from the football field

in the Country Day sports complex.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

La Jolla High's football team is ranked seventh in Division 3 in San Diego by MaxPreps.com after Week 1 of the season, with a 19.4 rating.

It's interesting what Jeff Hutzler, former Country Day football coach who Viking coach Jason Carter served under at LJCD, said when asked in April about the season-opening match-up between the two teams, which had not played each other in at least the last 11 seasons.

"Their program hadn't been competitive in the last several years," said Hutzler, asked at a Country Day baseball game held at Petco Park last Spring. That's one of the reasons, according to Hutzler, that the two schools hadn't scheduled any football games against each other.

New Country Day head coach Tyler Hales had a totally different outlook when interviewed just before the opener Aug. 29 against La Jolla High. "We have a lot of young guys. We have a tough opponent. It is a much bigger school." Hales said that because they're a small school, the Torreys only suit up 25 to 28 players for varsity football. There are 28 names on the printed roster card for 2014.

Also interesting is the relationship between the coaches of the two schools. The game wouldn't have been scheduled if Carter hadn't served as offensive coordinator at Country Day. But meanwhile, Hutzler, Carter's mentor, who also serves as athletic director at the private school, stepped down after several years as head football coach at the institution after last season. He and Carter still enjoy a friendly relationship, as witnessed by Hutzler's presence on the sidelines at a La Jolla High football game in 2013.

Offensive line discusses adjustments during

season opener. (Photo by Ed Piper)

 



Hales, who said, "Both teams were looking for a week 1 game," revealed that he and Carter played on the same adult flag football team in Ocean Beach. Carter, playing quarterback, passed to Hales, who was a receiver. Hales served as defensive coordinator at LJCD for two years while Carter was offensive coordinator.

As a result of their flag football teamsmanship, I asked Carter if they were going to be friendly during the game. "Still friends," he said as he went into the visiting locker room to give his team a pregame talk, "but after the game."


Copyright 2014 Ed Piper