LJ FB: Vikes fought back

By Ed Piper

In La Jolla's 24-17 defeat at Mira Mesa Oct. 28, the Vikings scored on a keeper by quarterback Jackson Diehl from the opponents' 47-yard line to come within seven points with 10:20 left in the game.

Suddenly, a crucial game that was stretching out of reach for Coach Tyler Roach's team as the hosts went up 24-10 five plays previously tightened up considerably.

Visiting fans already sitting through an elaborate Senior Night halftime performance by the Marauders' gigantic marching band and dancers (with background banners near the La Jolla sideline blocking visitors' view of the proceedings) then were faced with a 35-minute injury timeout soon after Diehl's touchdown. Play resumed at 9:51 with 9:55 to play, finally ending at 10:16 p.m.--an extremely late finish.

But the Viking players and coaches didn't care. They were intent on coming back, to overcome a deficit that reached 14 points, now down to seven points, because at the end of the rainbow could be a top-four seeding in the following week's CIF Division 2 playoffs.

After the injury to a Vikings player (see other game story), Mira Mesa reached the 18-yard line on nine plays for a field goal try. The attempt from 38 yards by sophomore Eduardo Medina went wide left.

La Jolla got the ball back with 4:35 left. Unfortunately, the Vikings coughed up the ball immediately on an interception by junior Isaiah Thompson. Mira Mesa took over on the La Jolla 44-yard line. Good field position for protecting the Marauders' lead.

Mira Mesa running back Makei Thompson, a senior celebrating Senior Night, measuring 5'8" or so--not a big player--nevertheless continued his relentless rushing upfield. He carried three more times. The Vikings' defense wasn't negligent, though. They keyed on him constantly, ever since his first two runs on the Marauders' first two plays way back in the first quarter--at 7:15 p.m., over two and a half hours earlier.

Viking fans who had earlier thought about heading home on the long, cold night were given pause as La Jolla got the ball back yet again after a Mira Mesa punt with 2:20 on the clock. There was just no quit in this Viking unit.

But then a complete pass from Diehl to Nick Sebro, a fellow junior, was followed by another complete, then a fumble, recovered by the hosts. That pretty much did it for the final outcome, although La Jolla was persistent and relentless on defense.