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| Viking head coach Tyler Roach (right) confers during practice Tuesday. (Photo by Ed Piper) |
La Jolla High head coach Tyler Roach, in a conversation about what the Vikings need to focus on to begin the season, assented that being quick and minimizing mistakes are crucial.
But he also put an accent on the importance of the special teams performing well.
"In the desert (at Central Union High in Imperial Valley) last year, they put us in a tough spot," the third-year coach remembered during practice Tues., July 30. "Our special teams have to be strong to start the year."
In the season opener August 17, played in the evening with 104 degrees on the thermometer, punter Carsten Fehlan left the game as a precaution after he took a blow at quarterback in the third quarter.
Nick Goehler, athletic and talented, was the Vikings' starting place-kicker, and only a backup as punter. With the third quarter nearing its conclusion, and the visitors trailing only 14-0, their lives figuratively flashed before their eyes.
In the span of about 10 seconds (the stadium clock was on the fritz), Goehler had his first punt blocked, then run in for a touchdown.
In the series immediately following, Nick, ruffled by his experience on his first attempt, fumbled the hike from center. Spartan Jonathan Jazek scooped up the loose ball and scampered into the end zone.
Suddenly, a 14-0 lead had ballooned to 27-0. The home crowd, filling Central's stands to capacity, delirious with joy, made a lot of noise about it.
Though quarterback Diego Solis led the Vikings to score twice, La Jolla was doomed. They left town suffering a 40-14 defeat to open the season.
Roach doesn't want a repeat.
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