LJ FB 0, Christian 49

The Vikings' Gabe Solis (2) takes part in the pregame
captains meeting. The fleet senior returned three kicks
for 54 yards and caught four passes for 14 yards
before being injured in the third quarter.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

La Jolla (3-6) suffered a devastating 49-0 loss to Christian High (8-1) Sat., Oct. 20, at Granite Hills High--devastating in more ways than one.

In clinching the Eastern League title with the overwhelming victory, the host Patriots, first, knocked Viking two-way player Diego Solis out of the game in the first half with what turned out to be a broken collarbone.

Then, with Christian not willing to tone down its offense despite the 42-0 halftime disparity, the coaches for the two teams unable to agree on a running clock for the third quarter, Diego's older brother, Gabe, was also laid out on a hard though clean hit in the third quarter. After lying on the turf for a minute or two, the visitors stands growing even quieter, Gabe, a receiver and defender, walked to the sideline. The brothers' mother, Sandy, confirmed that both have collarbone fractures in three places.

It was not a night of smiles following the "upper" of the Vikings' upset 17-0 Homecoming victory over University City the week before in lightning, thunder, and rain. Carlos Ramirez, La Jolla's JV quarterback, ended up the team's lead passer with 35 yards on 5 of 12 passing in the second half after Diego Solis, the starter, gave way to the recovering Carsten Fehlan, who still has a sensitive ankle. Head coach Tyler Roach chose to go with Ramirez after halftime.

The game's opening kick, which the Patriots elected to receive, was an intimidating omen of what was to come. Christian ran it all the way back for a 97-yard touchdown. The Patriots' offense, featuring the speedy Alex Gonzalez and Javier Jimenez, stockpiled 438 total yards on the night. The Vikings amassed only 121.

QB/receiver/defender Diego Solis warms up
on the Granite Hills field before the game
against Christian. The lefty was 4 for 7 passing
for 18 yards, carried the ball three times, and
caught two passes before leaving the game
with a broken collarbone in the second quarter.

Pat quarterback Owen Easley was in a flow in the backfield with an easy and accurate manner on his passes to the tune of 313 yards on 22 of 27, even with an eventual running clock in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings' Jack Wiese led the team with six tackles, including four solos and two assists. Sophomore Alessandro Demoreno added five tackles, with three solos and two assists.

The big loss didn't aid La Jolla any in its fight for one of the 12 CIF playoff spots that will be distributed among the 17 Division 3 teams. Before the contest, the Vikings stood 11th, just above the elimination line. Roach said that his team would have an advantage in face-to-face match-ups with Scripps Ranch and University City, both of whom the Vikings have beaten.

Imagine if Max Smith had not jumped over the line at the hike versus Scripps Ranch and taken the ball away, short-circuiting the Falcons' attempted "victory" formation, leading to a miracle LJHS win. And, playing with moxey on Homecoming Night against a wobbly UC team coming in with two straight losses, the red-and-black put themselves into the running for a playoff berth come Nov. 2.