LJ FB: Scoop on 'Coop'

QB Carsten Fehlan, who helped warm up
Cooper McNally to sub in at center
in the fourth quarter.
(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Cooper McNally's heart had to be pumping a little extra.

Early in the fourth quarter, with La Jolla narrowly leading Country Day 22-14, center Lucas Smith came out with a twisted right arm. Trainer Matt Bridges took over his care on the sideline.

Meanwhile, McNally, a sophomore, had already gotten the call when Smith went down. Carsten Fehlan, the Vikings' backup quarterback, began having Cooper practice snapping the ball to him.

"That's good," said Fehlan, after a hike that hit him in the numbers. "That's good," he said on the succeeding one, which went a little high that he had to reach up for.

So, in went McNally for his first stint at center. It was the second game of the young season.

He's not a stranger to high-stakes varsity competition. In baseball, as a freshman last year, the left-handed-hitting McNally was a starter for Coach Gary Frank's varsity squad throughout the season.

First hike: Bingo. Quarterback Trevor Scully, taking the snap, wheeled back, had to scramble to avoid the grasp of on-rushing Torrey defenders. He circled to his left, then he came back around toward the center of the field and stepped up. He nearly stumbled, as his spike caught on the turf.

Scully, apparently, had already spotted an open Gabe Solis in the end zone, 21 yards away.

When he stepped up, in front of defenders who were now past him and behind him, the QB flung a high-flyer in Solis' direction.

Touchdown. The receiver cradled it like fruit in a basket. The Vikings led, 29-14, with 9:48 left in the game. It was a lead they would not give up, despite a late Torreys score.

Cooper McNally: one snap, one touchdown for his unit. Good luck charm? Or are varsity sports easy as pie for this guy?

La Jolla had another drive before the game ended. McNally, having just had one week of classes in the tenth grade, is listed as an offensive tackle and defensive end.