LJ FB: 2nd series showed movement

By Ed Piper

La Jolla's second possession versus El Capitan Fri., Sept. 2 didn't result in a touchdown, but quarterback Jackson Diehl and company did move the ball. The series showed their offensive effectiveness against the visitors through the first half, the two teams' first encounter ever.

With the Vikings (2-1) leading 7-0, La Jolla took the Vaqueros' punt with 4:57 left in the first quarter on their own 30-yard line. Coach Tyler Roach's offense made 10 plays in the next three minutes of elapsed time.

The first and the last plays consisted of completed passes by Diehl, the initial one to senior receiver Ryan Weinberg for 18 yards, the latter again to Weinberg for 14 yards, up to the Vaquero 21. Weinberg's helmet got knocked off on the second completion on a hit by defender Austin Cordero.

The 18-yard completion to start the possession was followed by a typically bruising six-yard gain by Viking running back Justin Scully to the 48. After a penalty against El Capitan, Diehl threw an incompletion.

Scully carried again, this time for seven yards, then four yards on third-and-three for the first down.

From the Vaqueros' 30-yard line, Diehl threw low and behind sophomore receiver Hank Hansen, then another incomplete to Weinberg in the end zone.

El Cap's Chad Allread made it hurt with a sack of Diehl for a five-yard loss, before the 14-yard complete to Weinberg on fourth-and-15.

La Jolla turned the ball over on downs. The Vaqueros' offense, struggling and using two quarterbacks alternately, went two plays, then fumbled the ball away to Vikes Brenden Goldstein.

The Vikings scored on their fourth play of their next possession, a nine-yard shot put from Diehl to Scully, as Diehl scrambled, then improvised to get the ball to Scully a short distance away. Kicker Evan White converted the PAT, and La Jolla led, 14-0. There was 10:53 remaining in the second quarter.

The offense scored two more times in the next eight minutes, to lead 26-0, and the Vikings were well on their way to their final 32-7 win over El Capitan.