LJ FB: Game story vs. SDHS

Viking QB Jackson Diehl (9) calls his own number as he keeps the ball

and scrambles to a key first down early in the second half.

The run came on a fourth-and-three, as LJHS Coach Tyler Roach

went for it, resulting in Diehl's dash and first down to keep the ball.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Junior quarterback Jackson Diehl was back to his usual productive self Friday night, Sept. 30, against San Diego High School in La Jolla's Homecoming event, which was also the observance of the school's 100th anniversary with a halftime parade led by Grand Marshals Vicki and Rick Eveleth and their son Ty Eveleth.

And to add to the Vikings' good fortune, senior receiver Ryan Weinberg was back after having missed the previous game Sept. 23, as well as some other starters.

As Diehl, the general of the offense and distributor of the ball, goes, so goes Coach Tyler Roach's attack. And it resulted in a 17-0 halftime lead on a TD pass to sophomore Hank Hansen in the first four minutes, another to Weinberg just before the break, and an Evan Martin 32-yard field goal sandwiched in between. La Jolla (4-3 overall, 1-0 in the Eastern League) overcame some second half slip-ups to win going away, 36-16, and send the "Blackout" student body (dressed in all black) home happy.

Diehl dealt well with the ball, completing 21 of 30 passes, piling up 226 yards and five touchdowns, with zero interceptions.

Running back Justin Scully pounded his way to another 78 hard-earned yards on 17 carries. Weinberg caught seven passes for 88 yards and two TD's. Matthieu Princen had four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. Hansen had six catches for 59 yards and two TD's.

LJ defender Kai McCandless (21) pressures

SDHS QB Casey Kotcher-Smith (5) near

Caver end zone in third quarter.