LJ FB: Observations

Receiver Makai Smith and a message for defenders

who think he's going to be easy to take down.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

The La Jolla High football team displayed many (most?) of their most potent offensive weapons against a struggling Valhalla team (coached by LJHS's former Defensive Coordinator, Charles Bussey, in a sort of homecoming) in a scrimmage at El Capitan High School Fri., Aug. 13.

Jackson Stratton, a classic dropback passer who is committed to the University of Washington, used his two main targets, Makai Smith and newcomer Spence Carswell, to throw to. Makai, who was injured during the Vikings' Spring 2021 shortened schedule of five games, had one play where he grabbed a pass in front of the La Jolla bench--then stepped back from his defender, who fell flat on his face in an attempt to tackle Makai. Smith's Viking teammates erupted in exclamations of surprise and sheer delight. If he stays eligible, he will once again be fun to watch, as he was in the Vikings' CIF state march in 2019.

Besides Stratton seemingly effortlessly throwing missiles, Mason Powers burst forward on a run up the right that stood out. Powers would be the third receiver to fit in the mix. In addition, Justin Scully, a mobile quarterback, has been converted into a running back, and had multiple good runs against a challenged Valhalla defense.

Viking QB Jackson Stratton, a three-year starter,

bringing a glow from beyond. He has matured,

and he looked really comfortable in LJHS's scrimmage.

Carswell's right leg isn't shabby, either. Coached by Kevin Hurt, who coached up Devin Bale to stardom, Spence caught a TD, leaping at the goal line early, then blasted a 33-yard field goal at the other end in the second quarter. "His leg is money," remarked Hurt.

Head Coach Tyler Roach, who put La Jolla High football back on the map, enters his fifth year at the helm. It used to be occasions like this in which Viking footballers would show up and you would cringe a little. At least during my 18 or so seasons covering the team, beginning in 2004 with my granddaughter's enrollment at the school. But now La Jolla is the one holding other teams at its mercy. In this case, poor Valhalla, which was working hard, but still has to build up a little and learn how to win--just the way LJHS had to four years ago.

Viking Head Coach Tyler Roach (here giving his

pregame talk to the team in front of his

assistants) brings experience and wisdom

gained through five years of manning

the helm at the seaside campus.

Roach, from all reports, has handled the administrative side well, in addition to his coaching duties. You have to be able to take care of both sides to be successful, and he has. Now, with Athletic Director Paula Conway having departed to Bishop's and golf coach Aaron Quesnell taking over in her spot, Roach, when asked, said, "I try not to call him unless I have to, with all the things he has to do."