By Ed Piper
Max Smith, the engine that powers La Jolla's football team, relishes the chance to earn sole possession of the Eastern League title against Christian High Fri., Nov. 1.
"This has been in the works for three years now, and it's finally for the taking.
"So, you bet, me and all my teammates are gonna make it happen," said the linebacker/running back Monday morning, Oct. 28, before school started.
Smith and the Vikings vanquished an over-matched University City team three days before, a 39-21 thrashing that had its times of lack of discipline and focus. The win gave La Jolla at least a share of the league championship with Christian.
The Vikings can win the title outright with a win over Christian this week to end the regular season.
The team, through no fault of Max's, came in with a free-for-all kind of attitude. They were observed to be much more talkative, boastful on the sidelines than before any other recent game.
Undoubtedly, part of the circumstances contributing was the lowly status of the Centurion team they were going to face. University City has suffered through a 1-8 campaign this year, its first down season in the five under Coach Ryan Price. Centurion players have talked openly about not wanting a repeat of this year by working harder toward next year.
The La Jolla players, coming off being beaten soundly by a superior Lincoln team the week before, 32-7, rode the slide of their emotions and came into the UC contest--on UC's Senior Night at home--a little rowdy, unchecked in their talk among themselves on the sidelines.
Mind you, this loosey-goosey mentality didn't bleed out onto the field during the game. No penalties were called by officials for untoward behavior.
But in warm-ups before the game, Viking Head Coach Tyler Roach threatened at one point to punish his players with up-down's if they didn't get it together.
La Jolla started off sluggish, going three-and-out on its first offensive possession--which can happen even when the Viking players are more disciplined--and the struggles continued through the first quarter, which ended with La Jolla holding a slim 7-0 lead.
It wasn't until the third quarter that the visitors broke things open.
Smith, observed to be focused, under control, did his part to contribute to the win, La Jolla's third without a loss in league play this season.
On Monday morning, he was back to being a voice for the team. Asked what the focus of practice will be this week in preparation for Christian, Max replied, "Just trying to play our game and not do anything special.
"Staying physical on defense and mistake-free (on) offense."
Asked where he's seen improvement in his own play as a junior, his third year on the Viking varsity, Smith said, "I think I've improved my football smarts and stamina playing both ways."
In addition to his bone-crunching stops as a linebacker, alongside senior Jack Wiese and fellow junior Dirk Germon, Smith has collected pick-sixes and on offense, several touchdown runs as well as long runs even when he didn't score.
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