LJ FB: So County Passing Tournament

Vikings receiver Sola Hope takes in a completion

from QB Trevor Scully against Olympian.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

 

By Ed Piper

 

Sola Hope was a new name that was heard in plaudits from the sidelines multiple times for receptions in La Jolla High's games in the South County Passing Tournament Fri., July 8, at Southwestern College.

 

New Viking head coach Matt Morrison used both number-one quarterback Cole Dimich and Trevor Scully to take snaps in the first three halves of play of the day, first in a win over Palo Verde and in the first half of a contest against Olympian.

 

The Vikes looked good, taking the initial game and being competitive and playing tight offense and defense in both games on a hot, sunny day in the South Bay. The tournament pits a large number of San Diego teams against one another in a two-day competitive alignment.

 

Morrison seemed encouraged by his squad's play, its first since a passing tournament held at San Diego State University last month and following a two-week no-contact period between players and coaches. In dark hat and wearing a gray "Vikings Football 2016" T-shirt, along with the rest of his staff, the first-year head coach kept up a positive line of comments directed toward his players.

 

"Let's play with energy and enthusiasm," he charged them as they put hands together before the afternoon's first match-up with Palo Verde. The Eagles used the same quarterback throughout the 40-minute game, split into two 20-minute periods with a halftime break.

 

Morrison, a former quarterback at Parker and offensive coordinator at La Costa Canyon last year, complimented Dimich and Scully on some of their throws, "Good ball" or the like.

 

Veteran returners were prominent for La Jolla, including Alex Dockery, Daniel McColl, and Nick Hammel, among others. Patricio Castillejos, who suffered a season-ending knee injury at the start of last season's schedule, was active.