LJ FB: Hayden cheers

Hayden practices his punting
in warm-ups before the
Vikings' 29-21 win over
Country Day.
(Photo by Ed Piper)



By Ed Piper

When Kenny Hayden intercepted a pass in the first quarter against Country Day, a big cheer went up on the La Jolla sideline.

It seemed to be more than just jubilation at a play favoring the visiting Vikings. There was a celebration for the person, Hayden, who has gone through a summer-long rehabilitation of his knee and was cleared just a week ago to resume football.

That the pick came on 2nd-and-15, with La Jolla leading 7-0, was critical. But it was more for the man.

Hayden, a backup to quarterback Cole Dimich last year, has paid his dues. He played rarely at the QB spot as a junior, and willingly made himself available on defense to get more playing time.

Then, earlier this year, with the knee injury, everybody felt for the individual. But there's a limit to what you can do: say "Hang in there", is about it, and encourage him that "your time will come".

Hayden, a senior headed to graduation next June, has one final shot at gridiron glory in high school. So, having gotten medical clearance a week ago, he fulfilled punting duties for Coach Tyler Roach's squad in their opener against Hilltop.

On week two, he handled punts, and made a 14-yard return on his interception of an E.J. Kreutzman aerial on 2nd-and-15 from the Country Day 44.

It was the first of two picks of Kreutzman, a sophomore QB who went 24 for 46 and 300 yards in the Torreys' first game, a narrow 26-24 win over Classical Academy.

Viking Johnathan O'Neal came up with the second one on the third play of Country Day's next drive--which unfortunately began as a result of La Jolla's Trevor Scully throwing an interception. Actually, Abdul Sinjab tipped the thrown ball, then O'Neal caught it as it continued forward, off-target from its intended receiver.