By Ed Piper
La Jolla, facing an undefeated Scripps Ranch team (4-0) in their own place, throttled the Viking offense down from a more open vertical game to shorter, crisper passing, interspersed with a ground attack. The purpose was to limit the mistakes that have befallen the Vikings periodically due to young, developing offensive leadership.
But in so doing, the visitors found their offensive engine sputtering, unable to score a touchdown against a stingy Falcon defense that was allowing only two points a game by opponents.
The result was a close but ultimately unsuccessful 17-7 decision Fri., Sept. 20, in the Interstate 15 game, dropping Coach Tyler Roach's team to 0-1 in league, 2-3 overall going into a bye week.
Max Smith intercepted a Luke Durkin pass and ran it back for the Vikings' only score, early in the third quarter. Devin Bale added the point-after-touchdown kick, his ninth in nine tries on the season.
La Jolla only managed to gain 62 yards on the ground, and 48 in the air for an anemic 110 total yards in 43 plays from scrimmage.
The Falcons (now 5-0) didn't show themselves to be a powerhouse, but they did enough to win against a determined Viking defense. Durkin and gang only converted five of 15 third downs, while Roach's crew was three for nine.
Viking quarterback Jackson Stratton was 8 for 22 passing attempts for 80 yards. Finn Rice caught a pair of passes for 21 yards. Luke Brunette snagged three for 12 yards.
Smith carried 10 times for 39 yards. The hard-working linebacker had eight tackles on defense. Jack Wiese led the team with 10 tackles.
Max has scored 36 of La Jolla's 81 points through the first quintet of games, a 44-percent mark--a huge chunk, especially for a non-quarterback who doesn't get to handle the ball on every offensive play.
Two of his TD's have come on pick-sixes. The other four are rushing touchdowns.
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