By Ed Piper
Kevin Steel is developing into a skilled starting quarterback right before our very eyes.
Steel, employed as the back-up QB to the injured Jackson Stratton, delivered a resounding performance as he led La Jolla to a convincing 27-14 victory over host Mira Mesa in the CIF Division 2 semifinals Fri., Nov. 19.
The Vikings, with spectacular play from receiver Mason Powers and running back Justin Scully, and key plays from Spence Carswell, built a 17-7 halftime lead against an opponent who was favored. Steel found Powers for a touchdown strike with 2:58 left in the first quarter, following a 30-yard Spence Carswell field goal.
Then the blossoming QB in his own right drilled Scully with a 27-yard completion for a surprising 17-0 advantage with 9:44 remaining in the second quarter.
The Marauders didn't do anything to help their cause. A fumbled reception of La Jolla's kickoff after Carswell's field goal led to Powers' touchdown. The fumble also set the tone for Mira Mesa's non-attack.
Mira Mesa's energy visibly sagged. The program had dedicated the season to Coach Chris Thompson, who died from COVID symptoms while battling bone cancer after the second game this fall. Following the poor start Friday, the Marauders couldn't conjure the emotion to activate their offense. The home crowd, treated to a halftime show by their huge marching band, fell silent other than for the show.
Steel, who looked more and more comfortable dropping back--he was building on the three games he started at midseason after Stratton's initial scapula fracture--added to Carswell's second field goal with another TD aerial to Powers with 3:33 left in the third quarter. Spence made the interception that gave La Jolla the ball back. The score was 27-7.
When the 6'4" Kevin misfired on a pass intercepted beginning the fourth quarter, leading to a Mira Mesa TD for 27-14, LJHS Coach Tyler Roach shut the air game down. That's when Scully especially shined, taking handoffs from Steel to protect the ball and use up the clock.
When Powers, doing double duty on defense, intercepted Marauder QB Tyson Line's pass with 4:03 remaining in the game, that clinched Mira Mesa's doom. After the Vikings gained a first down with under 2:30 left, nailing down the victory, Roach took off his headphones and turned to the La Jolla crowd to celebrate.
La Jolla faces Scripps Ranch in the D2 championship game Fri., Nov. 26, at Escondido High at 7 p.m.
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