Senior Harper Lane (12), recently activated,
scrambles for five yards on a keeper just
before halftime, the Vikings already trailing
20-0. (Photos by Ed Piper)
By Ed Piper
Retiring Scripps Ranch head coach Marlon Gardinera got his wish: to extend his coaching career one more week.
The Falcons' coach, in his ninth year--he came in the same year that Viking head coach Tyler Roach took over at La Jolla--had said earlier in the year that this would be his last season coaching.
"I originally committed for 10 years, but some health issues and other things came up, so this year will be my last," said a jovial, conversational Gardinera before the CIF Division 2 first-round playoff game at La Jolla Friday, Nov. 7.
Scripps, which has enjoyed a lively rivalry with the seaside school over the years, started quickly and took a 20-0 lead in the first half on two big rushing touchdowns by senior running back Malachi Sayles sandwiched around a 26-yard pass reception by receiver Jackson Rochet from quarterback Parker Armstrong.
Meanwhile, La Jolla was struggling getting its offense going. The opening possession ended in a punt by Julian Zavala, after only one first down, then three-and-out.
Falcons running back Malachi Sayles (8)
sails through the La Jolla defensive line for his
second rushing TD of the half with
1:47 left in the second period:
"He looked like a runaway freight train."
The Vikings' second drive ended on the Falcons' 32-yard line, after Jayden Smith grabbed an onside kick on a line drive and downed it at midfield for what seemed like a promising possession.
The third drive resulted in a pick in the end zone, the ball turning over to Gardinera's minions on first-and-10 on the 20-yard line. Sayles, looking like a runaway freight train, ran the ball in from the five for his second TD of the half.
On the other side of the ball, La Jolla was floundering in stopping Scripps' offense. On the last Falcon TD of the first half, Viking defender Nico Bardaro tackled Malachi for a loss on first-and-10. Cornerback Lukas Grismer visibly pushed his receiver with the ball in the air, the visiting crowd loudly complaining at the non-call on the DPI.
In the second half, La Jolla's fortunes grew only worse, ending the Vikings' playoff chances at the start and extending the opposing coach's career for at least another week.
* * *
On the night, Sayles carried 24 times for 243 yards and five touchdowns. Rochet caught four passes for 40 yards. QB Armstrong completed 14 of 19 passes, totaling 153 yards.
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