LJ FB: Goehler's goals and more

By Ed Piper

Nick Goehler, La Jolla's place-kicker, also played a big role in the Vikings' defensive pressure in their 29-21 win at Country Day in week two of the young high school football season.

Emphasis on "big": Goehler (pronounced "gyooler" in his native German, though teammates pronounce it "goal-er") is a 6'2", 205-pound monster who busted through the line to sack Torrey quarterback E.J. Kreutzman early in the fourth quarter, with La Jolla leading 29-14 and the hosts threatening.

The easy-going native of Halle (pronounced "hollah"), in former East Germany, not far from Leipzig, relishes his football. A soccer player growing up in a soccer-crazy land, the junior, who of course kicks soccer-style, quickly wanted to play American football after his family moved to the U.S. two years ago.

His older brother Luis starred for the Viking soccer team as a striker last season. However, Luis had no interest in venturing onto the football field.

On the other hand, Nick has been a quick and enthusiastic study for new head coach Tyler Roach's team. In the second quarter against Country Day, Goehler grabbed Torrey running back Caleb Petry in the backfield and tackled him for a loss on 4th-and-two, ending an LJCDS threat and turning the ball over on downs to the Vikings.

The visitors led, 7-0, at the time. Though they weren't able to capitalize on the TFL (tackle for a loss) by big number 85 on the next possession, Goehler's PAT's as well as defense contributed to the Vikings' eventual eight-point win.

The Deutschlander's sack in the fourth quarter led to the Torreys giving up the ball on downs two plays later. The defensive highlight came on 2nd-and-13, with Country Day back on its own 47. Torrey coach Tyler Hales immediately called a timeout, but his team wasn't able to overcome a 4th-and-25 on the ensuing play.

The right-footer has been dependable on PAT's through the Vikings' first two games, though one attempt was blocked by Country Day in the third quarter. Goehler lofts a high kick that usually sails far over defenders' heads to paydirt.