LJ FB: Scully, O'Neal garner scholarships

Viking QB Trevor Scully warms up
on the sidelines at Homecoming
last season.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

Viking quarterback Trevor Scully and two-way player Johnathan O'Neal have been honored by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as "Scholar-Leader-Athletes".

The senior duo, among 26 high school and three college San Diego-area football players to be recognized, each will receive a college scholarship for $1,500.

Scully, a 5'11" passer, was Coach Tyler Roach's starting quarterback during his senior season in Fall 2017, after having transferred back to La Jolla High after a year at Mission Bay High.

Scully showed an ability to scramble and free-lance on offense when his receivers were covered. And, as the season progressed, Roach, also the team's Offensive Coordinator, began to design plays specifically intended for the fleet runner to take off on the ground.

O'Neal was an acknowledged quiet model/verbal encourager from his junior year on. Johnathan's real strength came on the defensive side as he played free safety. On offense, he was a target of Scully's passes among a handful of receivers who copped aerials.

O'Neal served as one of two team captains, along with fellow senior Tucker Jacobs.

Johnathan O'Neal at 7-on-7
tourney at La Costa Canyon
last summer.

"Trevor played the game with passion and grit," said Roach. "He was the sparkplug of our offense last year and made the guys around him better. Off the field, he has a laid-back personality, but a fire and a passion to be successful. I know he's going to excel at USC and in life."

Of O'Neal, his head coach said, "Johnathan was a warrior on the field. He played both sides of the ball and on special teams. He battled through some injuries last year but was a team captain and a leader of our defense. He always seemed to make big plays when we needed them. A savvy football player that always wanted to know the 'why', a coach on the field.

"Off the field, he dominates the classroom and leads by example. He has a good sense of humor that will always make you laugh. He is heading to Tufts University to play ball and get a world-class education."

Continued Roach, who led the Vikings as head coach for the first time last year after previously serving as Offensive Coordinator at La Jolla High before spending a year at La Jolla Country Day as Defensive Coordinator, "We will miss both guys. They will both be difference-makers in life."

Scully passed for an outstanding 2,595 yards last season on 178 completions in 345 attempts, for 31 passing touchdowns with seven interceptions. This placed him second among City League quarterbacks only to University City's Gunnar Gray in passing yards. The Vikings were 3-1 in the City League, losing only to their rival UC for the title. They were 6-6 overall.

What's more, Trevor rushed for 435 yards and eight more TD's for a total of 39 touchdowns, a true dual threat behind center.

O'Neal showed his value in the 57 tackles he amassed, with 33 of those solo tackles and 24 assisted. He was sorely missed in the four contests of La Jolla's 12 total games in which he was unable to play due to injury.

The stellar student in the classroom added 22 receptions for 218 yards as a receiver in Roach's offense. He also scored four touchdowns.

But O'Neal's contribution to the team could not properly be summarized through the stats. His presence and attitude, along with Jacobs', in the locker room and on the field showed the depth of his integrity.