By Ed Piper
In La Jolla's 49-12 thrashing of Eastern League opponent Morse in week one of the season, what is remarkable beyond the Vikings' efficient scoring machine ending every one of its six possessions with a touchdown is probably the fifth of the squad's six possessions, when quarterback Jackson Stratton handed off and/or dished passes to the maximum number of options for the night.
In a 12-play drive beginning on La Jolla's own 16, running back Marty Jellison and receiver Max Raulston both joined the starting core of Max Smith and Diego Solis in touches of the ball.
In Jellison's case, it marked his first two carries of the new season as a burly running back. In the case of Raulston, who gave up basketball a year ago to concentrate on football, his 12-yard reception was at least the second possession in which Stratton targeted the high-leaping end with an attempted pass.
During the drive, which terminated in Devin Bale's 17-yard touchdown reception in the eastern end zone--the first of two nearly identical TD passes the kicker/punter would catch--Stratton was able to connect with four different receivers while alternately handing off to Smith, Solis, and Jellison. Jackson also ran the ball 21 yards himself on an unexpected scamper up the middle of the field which caught the already-stunned Tiger defense off balance.
Visiting La Jolla moved into a commanding 35-6 lead after Bale's near-automatic PAT kick before a tiny and surprised in-person audience, each player allowed four spectators on each side.
Viking head coach Tyler Roach said before the game he was looking for "efficiency" by his offense and defense. He certainly got that from an offensive unit that never failed to score on any of its six drives before a running clock in the fourth quarter closed things out. Roach, who calls his offense's plays, also must have seen a lot to like in his front-liners, including Jellison and Raulston, besides Bale's receiving and the team-anchoring exploits of Smith and Solis.
PARTIAL STATS (unofficial)
Individual
RUSHING: Max Smith - 13 carries/69 yards; 1 TD. Diego Solis - 4 carries/18 yards. Marty Jellison - 2 carries/4 yards. Jackson Stratton - 2 carries/21 yards. 1 sack.
RECEIVING: Diego Solis - 4 receptions/114 yards; 3 TDs. Max Raulston - 3 receptions/46 yards. Devin Bale - 3 receptions/37 yards; 2 TDs. Max Smith - 5 receptions/33 yards.
PASSING: Jackson Stratton - 14 of 22/235 yards; 5 TDs.
TEAM
Total plays (partial totals): 49 plays. Rushing - 28; passing - 21.
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