Viking QB Cole Dimich scores to open the second
quarter, but La Jolla fell 24-21 to Hilltop
on the brand new Edwards Field surface.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
By Ed Piper, Jr.
Seemingly in command and cruising with a 21-7 lead early in the third quarter before a large crowd at Blastoff, La Jolla's football team gave up a field goal, then a rushing touchdown by Hilltop nemesis Domonic Esparza, yet still led 21-16 with a quarter and a half to go.
Debuting at home on their sparkling new playing surface under a new coach, the Vikings then fumbled the ball twice--once recovering--and punted on five straight possessions, allowing the Lancers to put the dagger in on a passing TD with seven minutes remaining to fall 24-21 and send the faithful home broken-hearted.
Coach Matt Morrison's squad was entertaining, coming off a big win in week one. But it committed five turnovers and missed several opportunities to come back in the initial contest on a renovated Edwards Field.
The killer near the end was an unsportsmanlike penalty when La Jolla's defense had Lancers quarterback Alex Tejeda trapped in a third-and-27 on their own 38. Even after Hilltop false-started on the ensuing fourth-and-four, the visitors were able to punt and prevent their hosts from scoring in the final two and a half minutes.
In the second quarter, Viking quarterback Cole Dimich romped untouched over the goal line on a quarterback keeper to tie the score 7-7 opening the period. The senior held the ball up in his right hand as he scored on the option fake, fooling Hilltop's defense.
Nick Hammel, who filled a highlight reel with defensive gems from his strong safety position on the left side, then copped a Tejeda aerial and ran it back to end the quarter with La Jolla leading 14-7.
Running back Alex Dockery scampered 50 yards down the left sideline on the first possession of the second half for a 21-7 advantage. In a beautiful arching path from the center of the field, the 5'8" senior turned on the jets and eluded a defender in front of the Viking bench to put La Jolla ahead.
"Dock" finished with 78 yards rushing on 11 carries to lead the LJHS ground attack.
But it was all for naught, as the hosts proceeded to fumble multiple times and were inefficient with possessions down the stretch.
Dimich was 11 for 28 passing for 120 yards, with two interceptions and no passing TD's.
The senior helmsman spread the ball primarily among three receivers, with Johnathan O'Neal grabbing three passes for 46 yards, fellow junior Sola Hope five for 40 yards, and Dockery a pair for 27 yards.
Dockery had 105 total yards offense between his rushing and receptions.
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