LJ FB 14, Imperial 30 - 'Kickoff Classic' - Preseason Scrimmage

Viking receiver Finn Rice (4) moves toward a
Carsten Fehlan completion that went for 14 yards
and set up Gabe Solis' three-yard TD reception
in the fourth quarter. (Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

Santiago De La Torre, Imperial's senior quarterback, sported a towel at his waist reading "Te Amo (I Love You) 4/25".

"My grandmother Alicia passed away April 25," explained the 6'2", 190-pound former wide receiver. "I was close to her. I want to make her proud."

The athletic though unpolished QB did just that, looking more prepared and definitely showing more effectiveness than a La Jolla High opposition in leading the valley contingent to a 30-7 lead through three quarters, ending at 30-14 in the preseason "Kickoff Classic" at Mira Mesa High School Sat., Aug. 11.

De La Torre's first pass was very unspiral-y, but after that he was able to complete aerials to open receivers amid the Viking defense, and Imperial coach Kerry Legarra's offense mixed in runs by junior back Sergio Serrano and his QB to build up a 23-7 lead at halftime in 91-degree heat.

Meanwhile, La Jolla head coach Tyler Roach was having fits with the sluggishness of his own team's first efforts against an opponent--though the contest, played under mostly game conditions, counted as a scrimmage. (Kickoffs were blown dead, with no returns allowed.)

New quarterback Carsten Fehlan dumped a short pass to slot Gabe Solis in the flat, which the fleet senior receiver ran 80 yards up the left sideline to pay dirt on the Vikings' second offensive series, after Imperial had gone up 7-0 on four straight run plays early in the first quarter.

But then frustration ensued for La Jolla, as pass attempts were directed in the general area of receivers who weren't even looking for the ball. Assignments got missed. And Roach, in his consternation during an on-field timeout huddle, could be heard from the sideline trying to light a fire in his troops: "It's not 7-on-7 anymore. I'm sick and tired of watching people dive at ankles. Hit somebody!"

The Vikings showed more energy coming out of halftime, down 16 points, as diminutive Greg Nelson carried, then Fehlan found receiver Evan Brown for a completion. But Solis, who amassed over 1,000 yards in receiving last year, couldn't hold on to a pass as he was sandwiched on third-and-six. That drive died.

Fast-forward to the fourth quarter, Roach's players now down by 23. After La Jolla recovered an Imperial fumble on the Tiger 15-yard line, junior Finn Rice grabbed a pass for a 14-yard advance. A Nelson carry was stopped, then Fehlan found Solis again on third-and-goal from the three.

Gabe went low to cop the pass, shallow in the end zone in the center of the field, for his second TD and Nick Goehler's second PAT kick to make things more respectable at 30-14 with 8:04 left in the game.