LJ FB 16, Coronado 6

Tanner Watson's TD catch

was called back on a penalty

in the second quarter.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Senior running back Alex Dockery plunged over from one yard out, and Jesse Pacleb snagged an errant pass by Coronado at the six-yard line to run it in for the score, all in the second quarter, to provide La Jolla's margin of victory over the visiting Islanders Fri., Sept. 16, 16-6.

Goofy-footer Kenny Hayden added a 20-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter as the Vikings stopped a two-game loss streak and evened their record on the season at 2-2.

"We're asking our players to play four quarters," said La Jolla coach Matt Morrison before the game. His team provided that, not in a pretty fashion, but enough to hold off a Coronado threat in the final quarter to secure the win.

The Vikings had a touchdown on a spectacular catch by receiver Tanner Watson over his defender in the end zone called back on a penalty just prior to Pacleb's grab.

Dockery's score completed a 15-play drive by La Jolla that took about six minutes spread over the end of the first quarter to 9:21 of the second quarter. On the drive, senior Cole Dimich showed particular effectiveness on six quarterback keepers. Morrison, calling the plays, mixed them up with two runs by Daniel McColl--one of them off a botched snap that bounced off Dimich and McColl grabbed--and passes to Sola Hope, Watson, Dockery, and McColl.

Pacleb's defensive touchdown startled everyone. Defensive end Andrew Mitchell had Islander quarterback Briley Knight in his clutches in the end zone when Knight, in desperation, flung the ball into the air in an ill-directed attempt to get rid of it. The ball arched toward Pacleb, surprised and delighted at his free gift at the six-yard line. Jesse caught it and ran the six yards for the defensive TD.

That came less than a minute after Tanner's TD was annulled, and put the host team up 13-0. Coronado was able to score just before the half on a flea flicker that Knight tossed downfield to receiver Joe Byrne, catching La Jolla flat-footed, on a 55-yard pass play.

Besides Dimich's effective runs, totaling 63 yards on 16 attempts on the night, Mitchell and Watson had their best games receiving to date. The much-improved Andrew, gaining bulk and speed over the offseason, had five catches for 65 yards to lead Viking receivers. Tanner, who spent spring football and summer passing league recuperating from an injury, totaled five receptions for 56 yards.

Dimich was 15 for 24 passing and 148 yards, for 211 total yards. 

McColl continued his consistency in contributing on offense, carrying 13 times for 48 physical yards. On defense, Daniel was a demon with two interceptions and four solo tackles in preliminary statistics. Dockery was a hard worker with 11 rushes for 35 yards. Hope added a pair of receptions for 13 yards.

Defensive end Ross Martin recorded a sack and was credited with three solo tackles in incomplete statistics.