LJ FB 52, Patrick Henry 14 - Diehl scores 5 TD's

Senior Carson Diehl (13) leaps to catch

a Ty Tortorice pass for a 25-yard reception

in the second quarter. Diehl scored

five TD's in the Vikings' 52-14 win

over Patrick Henry.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Senior Carson Diehl, who committed to SDSU before the season, dazzled a large home-opening crowd as he scored five touchdowns of several varieties, including a run from the "wildcat" and two pick-sixes on interceptions, leading La Jolla to a 52-14 win over Patrick Henry Fri., Aug. 29.

With starting quarterback Huddy Smith on crutches after the Vikings were humbled in the season opener at Torrey Pines a week ago, Diehl exploded in a defensive and offensive display that more than made up for a junior year in which he was nagged by injuries much of the season.

The 6'2" athlete, who has a 33-inch vertical leap and ran relays with teammate Charlie Martin for the Viking track team last spring to increase his speed, started the game taking snaps in place of Smith, who suffered a "dead leg" injury in the loss to the Falcons last week.

After Carson ran a keeper from one foot out with 7:20 left in the game for his fifth TD, officials went to a running clock for the remainder of the game. On the previous play, the three-year varsity player took the snap directly from center on the Henry nine-yard line to inside the one.

Vike head coach Tyler Roach and new Defensive Coordinator Randy Cowell were obviously pleased with all skill groups' performances, following a tough opening game against a much larger program. Before the game, Roach said, "Our defense is going to have a pick-six tonight. You can quote me on that."

When linebacker Taylor Jeffrey tipped a Jayden Goldman pass and Diehl at safety ran it to the house with 6:20 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 La Jolla lead, Roach turned to the reporter, and said, "See, we got the pick-six I promised."

An abundance of riches followed. The floodgates began to open against a struggling Patrick Henry team. The hosts led 14-0 at the end of the quarter. They were leading 31-0 with 4:46 left in the first half. The Patriots finally scored on a 59-yard pass play late in the second quarter. The lead was 38-7 going into halftime.

Diehl (13) runs a keeper to the left on the Vikings'

first possession of the second quarter. He gained

three yards, the first play of seven before

kicker Julian Zavala drained a 30-yard

field goal for a 17-0 lead.

Diehl's performance on the Edwards Stadium field was one of the best since Dillon Baxter of Mission Bay torched the Vikings in 2009, passing and running for six touchdowns in an awesome display of offensive power. Baxter went on to USC.

LJ SCORING

1Q

Diehl interception return; Zavala kick

Bardaro pass from Tortorice 6 yards; Zavala kick

2Q

Zavala field goal 30 yards

Diehl punt return 47 yards; Zavala kick

Diehl interception return; Zavala kick

Bardaro pass from Tortorice 10 yards; Zavala kick

3Q

Diehl pass from Tortorice 10 yards; Zavala kick

4Q

Diehl run 1 yard; Zavala kick

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Ed Piper studied journalism at Chico State. His career highlights include covering the Pan Am Games in Mexico City, and "scooping" the big rival newspaper that a pro soccer franchise was coming to Santa Barbara. He does not have a pet dog.