LJ FB: Morrison

Running back Alex Dockery (10) tries to make

like a proficient water polo player during the Viking

football team's tourney in the Coggan Pool.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

"The program we're implementing is one that will last," said Matt Morrison, new La Jolla head football coach, during a water polo team-building event July 27. "I have videos on my laptop of my Parker and La Costa Canyon teams. I'll show the players."

In other words, the offense and defense that Morrison and his assistant coaches have been installing since spring practice began at the end of May are solid and will carry the Viking football program to success--just like what his teams at Parker and LCC experienced.

"I have defensive schemes that we'll be introducing over the next two or three years," said an earnest Morrison, pool-side as his players challenged one another in three-goal games of water polo. "The entire defense fills up large binders."

Looking especially earnest, the head coach said, "I'd rather have us run 10 plays well, than 100 half-cocked." He said the offensive and defensive approaches haven't been dumbed down--rather, a core of key strategies are being focused on so that players having to learn totally new systems will grasp them and carry them out effectively.

New head football coach Matt Morrison (L)

surveys his charges at the team's water polo event

after equipment was issued at 7 a.m.



The Vikings, having last scrimmaged July 12, against Morrison's former team, La Costa Canyon, and July 14, against Westview in 7-on-7 passing competition, will scrimmage at Bishop's, according to Morrison, Fri., Aug. 19, with pads.

La Jolla's season opener follows the next week, Aug. 26, at Montgomery. The Vikes' home opener--and first game on their new playing surface--comes Fri., Sept. 2, after the first week of school. School starts a week earlier this year, instead of the traditional start after Labor Day.

"We want energy and enthusiasm," the coach said, returning to a familiar message he has preached to his players from the beginning.

"We met with our seniors yesterday, and we talked about leadership." The varsity heads to Big Bear for camp and team-building Sun. Aug. 7, through Wed., Aug. 10. Former LJHS basketball coach Kamal Assaf, as he has done with the football team before, will provide some motivational speaking for the players at the Big Bear camp.

Morrison seems to bring a different presence than his predecessor. He appears under control, communicative, and not riding an extreme of emotion. His players, so far, don't seem extended to the end of their emotions, which was seen many times in the past three years. Crying after losses was not uncommon. It could be quite a roller coaster ride, with players so choked up after games that many could hardly speak a word to a reporter asking for comments.

"I can show the players videos of (NFL teams he named) running similar schemes," Morrison said. In other words, what the coaches are implementing with the players is solid stuff, not baby stuff.

"The players feel good about the schedule," he added. Going from famine to feast, La Jolla plays seven straight games on the new Edwards Field surface, which is already laid and in place.