LJ FB: Offense a finely-tuned piece

LJ QB Hudson Smith (far right) makes a last pass

attempt to the right side early in the third quarter.

He did not return after that point.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

For the first three games of the 2024 campaign, La Jolla's offense has been a finely-set piece of jewelry, with junior quarterback Hudson Smith as a centerpiece.

With Smith, in his first experience starting at the varsity level, initiating Coach Tyler Roach's up-tempo, spread offense, he can pass or hand off to running back Aidan "Carolina" McGill.

If Huddy passes, he has many potential targets:

--Carson Diehl, a high-flying two-way player who also gathers interceptions as a hobby from his safety spot on defense;

--Hank Hansen, an all-purpose Swiss army knife who also runs jet sweeps and unadorned carries from his position in the backfield;

--McGill, who gained over 1,000 yards as a junior all-league back last season;

--Kai Fukuda, with hands as soft as a baby's skin, cradling those tender passes that Smith directs his way;

--Andre "Dre" McLees Walker, who is part of a "phenom soph" pair, returning from a promising freshman year;

--Nico Bardaro, the other half of the sophomore deuce. He plays both ways, offense and defense, as does McLees Walker.

We've even seen sophomore Aiden Farrell as a receiver. Roach loves to create all these options, as this year the opportunity to add to his interchangeable high-speed offensive machine has presented itself, and receivers galore have sprinkled the first three victories.

But when Smith is removed from the intricately-set piece of jewelry art, the distributor is gone, and the Vikings, understandably, don't have another player prepared and with the varied talents of a Hudson.

That happened Friday night, Sept. 13, at Rancho Bernardo High, when Smith got up slowly from at least two hits he absorbed. Finally, after the first drive opening the second half, with La Jolla trailing only 8-6, Huddy was ruled out. He didn't come back.

And the Vikes were in a pickle.

Hansen, a sturdy, athletic senior, entered the QB position at 7:57 on the clock in the third quarter. He carried the ball, and later he handed off to "'Lina" (McGill's nickname, for "South Carolina", where he is from) and Bardaro--Bardaro's first time rushing this season.

Progress was slow to nil against a bruising Bronco defense, pumped up for Patriot Day in front of a giant band, half-time dance squad, and many cheerleaders, coached by a big-name individual in Eric Weddle, the former NFL defender. The visitors went three-and-out two possessions in a row to end the third quarter.

Meanwhile, to their credit, Rancho Bernardo was getting ever closer, and finally pushed a score through with Gaige Weddle rushing for a TD from the QB spot. The Broncos now led, 15-6, and La Jolla looked mired in quicksand, unable to advance the ball.

With the 22-12 defeat, La Jolla is heading into a week of practice with the Eastern League opener Fri., Sept. 20 versus Mission Bay at home. Smith's status for that game is in question.