LJ FB: 'Thank heaven for 7-11'?

Viking slot back Gabe Solis (2) goes up to get
a reception during La Jolla's 40-14 loss
at Central High Aug. 17.
(Photo by Joseph Smith)
 

By Ed Piper

Thank the heavenlies for the Solis family.

Without the arm of Diego Solis, and the hands and feet of Diego and his older brother Gabe, La Jolla's football team would have gone scoreless the last two weeks.

On August 11, the elder Solis brother--they're not to be confused with the "Soledad Brothers"--was on the receiving end of two touchdown tosses from Viking quarterback Carsten Fehlan in a 30-14 preseason scrimmage loss to Imperial High in the Kickoff Classic played at Mira Mesa High School.

More importantly, in La Jolla's season opener that counted on its record Fri., Aug. 17 in boiling El Centro, Diego, filling in at quarterback for Fehlan after the latter was struck in the head, engineered the Vikings on a 46-yard drive to a touchdown, topped off with a five-yard completion to Finn Rice.

Younger brother Gabe Solis (5), in his first varsity
high school football game, evades the grasp of
big Zachary Morquecho (59) as the lefty
provides a little excitement at quarterback in the
second half. (Photo by Joseph Smith)

That was the prelude to the brother act teaming up for a vintage 67-yard pass play for a TD later in the fourth quarter.

The visitors to the hot, hot Imperial Valley were able to save some face in the 40-14 shellacking by averting the shutout.

Without those four scores, Los Vikingos would have gone home in both cases with nada.

Diego's feet played a role in La Jolla's drives that he directed. He carried the ball multiple times amidst those drives. (See game story in separate entry.)