LJ FB: News and notes

Vikings taking part in the pregame coin flip against
Santa Fe Christian: Johnathan O'Neal (6), Tucker
Jacobs (9), Gabe Solis (2), and Tino Mendez (58).
(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

We were talking before La Jolla's quarterfinal football playoff game against Santa Fe Christian Nov. 17 about the wide swings that can happen in a team's performance at the high school level because of players' self-confidence or lack thereof.

"It looks like two completely different teams sometimes," one of us said. The issue at hand was the Vikings' facing the Eagles, from a private school that attracts (recruits?) bigger, faster athletes, in a rematch of their earlier 58-14 game in Santa Fe Christian's favor in week four of the season.

"We talked a lot about the mental part," said La Jolla head coach Tyler Roach as he watched his team warm up on the Torrey Pines High field, where Santa Fe Christian moved the game to provide more spectator space.

"We have fond memories on this field," shared Roach. Three years ago, Collin Rugg, Trenton Fudge, Carlton O'Neal and company teamed up to crush the Eagles in a big offensive display that night. Roach was the Offensive Coordinator for the Vikings at the time.

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Max Smith, 14,  was talking about what he keeps foremost in mind when he steps on the turf.

 

"Stay focused. Remember the game plan. Come ready to play."

 

How do you read where the ball is going to be?

 

The freshman linebacker/long snapper: "The quarterback's eyes. The receiver coming across." Whatever the keys are for that play, that situation.

 

Is there a connection between long-snapping and playing linebacker?

 

"Concentration on every play. Make sure you don't mess up, because long-snapping is hard."

 

Another Max, Max Medrano, Vikings assistant coach, on Smith:

 

"He's the real deal. It's his experience. He played Pop Warner here (on the Torrey Pines field). Most kids at La Jolla don't play Pop Warner. They play other sports--soccer, lacrosse.

 

"He watches video all the time. Now you have the end zone view, the sideline view. All he has to do is download the Hudl video, and watch."