LJ FB: Worth another look

RB QB Gaige Weddle takes off

on a 34-yard scamper in the second

quarter, but the Viking defense

held and the Broncos were unable

to score. Halftime score was

RB 8, LJ 6.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

When La Jolla's defense held against Rancho Bernardo and freshman quarterback Gaige Weddle at the end of the first half Fri., Sept. 1, the Vikings trailing only 8-6, it was a significant moment--one in which Defensive Coordinator Brandon Harrison and his boys can be proud of.

Weddle, the son of RBHS head coach Eric Weddle, the former NFL defensive star, ran the ball three straight times, before throwing incomplete with the clock running out. On one run, Gaige broke a long one, carrying the ball from the Rancho Bernardo 41 to the La Jolla 25 for 34 yards.

One curious occurrence happened in the midst of this activity: the public address announcer warned that whoever was flashing a laser at the field (from the home side) needed to stop. Someone on the visiting side remarked, "That shouldn't be a warning. That should be a penalty."

In any case, Harrison's unit was holding up well in a long, hard-fought struggle.

By the time Weddle went over on a keeper from eight yards out on the second-to-last play from scrimmage in the third quarter, putting Rancho Bernardo up, 15-6, the Viking defensive players--led in a strong effort by safety Ryan Kestler, outside linebacker Leed Smoole (who recorded a sack on RB's regular QB, Trey Durham), and others, had put in a good night's work. But there was more to come.

Finally, with La Jolla's offense struggling with starting quarterback Hudson Smith out with an injury and not responding to the Broncos' challenge, the defense gave up a seven-yard pass as the hosts took over on a fumble at the 13 and quickly converted. The LJ line coach went berserk in remonstrating defenders for giving up the score.

It was a difficult moment to watch, as players who had poured their hearts out were scolded for letting down on a breakdown in coverage after receiver Miles De la Cruz crossed the goal line. Rancho Bernardo led, 22-6, that put the game away, and the home crowd and band went crazy in celebrating a successful night (after a couple of down years, as one chain gang member explained).

LJ's Kai Fukuda (behind) darts to the right

on the opening kickoff of the third quarter.

On coverage is Dane Rhodes (23).