LJ b water polo: Photos 11/10

Photos by Ed Piper

LJHS students cheer as the scoreboard

shows "15-13" with 1:20 left. Coach Ian

Davidson of Bishop's is in the foreground right.

Henry Glenister (13) of La Jolla scores

past goalie Adrian Revenco (1)

to go ahead 14-13 with 1:52 left.

LJ b water polo 15, Bishop's 13 - Open Division semifinals - 11/10

Vikings Dexter Black (4) and Addie Calhoun

(in goal) celebrate at the closing buzzer

after La Jolla's 15-13 Open semifinal win.

Aden Shin of Bishop's removes his cap

next to Black. (Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

As hundreds of fans streamed out of the La Jolla-Bishop's semifinal playoff game Tuesday night, Nov. 10, a driverless Waymo car turned left onto Fay Ave. a half block away.

It fit the scene of "Back to the Future", an AI-inspired move into a world beyond of strange, delightful occurrences in the Coggan pool.

For fans of the Vikings, it was sheer joy. For adherents to the Knights, dungeons and dragons of despair, in yet another rivalry game between the two La Jolla schools as Henry Glenister and Barney Pearce scored late goals to break a 13-all tie and carry the red-and-black to the finals of the Open Division in four days.

The mistake for the Ian Davidson-Doug Peabody Bishopsonians was letting 6'8" Vike star Dexter Black get loose and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

On the Glenister goal, the 2025 CIF Player of the Year backstroked his way into position on the four-five (right) side, then opened the way for the fellow lefty to fire in the go-ahead goal from dead-on center.

The LJHS student body, standing in anticipation behind the south goal, let out a roar--but a short time later minded their behavior, not jumping into the water like boys from the football team did last year at the Vikings' first Open Division title celebration. The crowd was repeatedly warned in the closing minute that there would be "possible sanctions" for the school if they did take a victory dip with the players. It's a new CIF rule.

The game itself was a playoff gem. The two schools traded goals, with neither team leading by more than a single score until 4:11 left in the fourth quarter, La Jolla up 13-11 on Glenister's fifth goal (the winner was his sixth).

There were stretches in which the Knights or the Vikings went through a full possession, working the ball, and being denied a shot or having a shot attempt blocked.

For example, after Bishop's scored the opening goal with a minute and a half elapsed, on the next possession the hosts couldn't get a shot off (5:54 on the clock). La Jolla had a shot attempt blocked on their second time down the pool (4:55), before Black scored his first goal at 4:03 for a 1-1 tie.

On the ensuing possession, the Knights couldn't get off a shot (3:44), ditto the Vikes (ending at 3:15), before finally Liam Zarcu notched a goal from the point.

The spirited and effective defense by both teams led to a 3-3 draw at the end of one period, 8-7 in favor of Bishop's at halftime, and 11-11 at the end of three quarters.

One poolside expert not aligned with either of the two schools predicted as the game moved toward crunch time that the result would come down to exclusions (three fouls and you're out, as Quinn Daniels of La Jolla experienced with 6:30 remaining), team depth in players "who have played in games like this" (favoring the Vikings, in his view), and goalkeeper play (another LJHS advantage). This wag predicted a one-goal difference in the final tally. It turned out to be two.

The advantage of having the 6'8" Dexter flying around with the ball became further apparent in the final 48 seconds, La Jolla leading 15-13, calling a timeout after Pearce's fastbreak goal. Coach Tom Atwell plotted to have Black swim with the ball and avoid Knights as long as he could to freeze the ball, then he passed to Glenister before the 30-second possession clock ran out. That left 21 seconds on the clock.

LJ wrestling: First day of tryouts 11/9

Photos by Ed Piper

Prospects engage in sumo wrestling,

having to push the other out of the circle.

Assistant coach Jim Hanley (far left)

motions.

Viking wrestlers move to the next skill

as new Head Coach Victor Lopez

(background, third from left) calls out

instructions.

Liam Kressin (right), who graduated in May

and is wrestling for Palomar College,

faces off with Colton Warren. Ori Mor

is in the background, awarding points

for whoever pushes their opponent

out of the circle.

Warren (middle) seems like he has

the advantage, but Kressin has one foot

outside the circle, Warren as well.

Back to high school wrestling, Alex

Mourlas is on top, Victor Franklin

down. They are practicing one of three

moves Coach Lopez introduced for

the tryouts.

Prep sports: Maclees-Walker now a junior

By Ed Piper

I've never had a high school athlete in class and blogged information on him or her before while they're sitting in front of me.

Dre Maclees-Walker came up and said "hi" moments ago. I said I wouldn't have recognized him if he hadn't introduced himself or if I didn't have his name on the roster.

He last played at La Jolla in football last year, as a sophomore. He was on Head Coach Tyler Roach's varsity roster as a freshman two years ago, and that's probably more the image I was retaining in my memory to compare him to what he looks like now.

He's, I'm sure, taller, listed at 6'2" on the Rancho Bernardo High roster. He came over after last season. This year, as a junior, he is the Broncos' leading receiver, with 692 yards on 51 receptions and four touchdowns.

LJ FB: Great rivalry with Central Union

By Ed Piper

Denton Young--not Denton True "Cy" Young, the namesake of the award that goes to the top MLB pitcher in each league every year--was talking about the 2017 La Jolla-Central Union game.

"It was misty, rainy. Our guys were getting sick, because they weren't used to the conditions (coming from the desert)," said the 10-year Associate Head Coach of the visiting Spartans. "It was the third game of the season."

The next year, Central went undefeated through the regular season, defeating Santa Fe Christian in the CIF Division 3 semifinals before losing to Morse in the finals.

Talking about the long travel from the Imperial Valley, Young, affable, willing to talk, recognizing this reporter from previous chats, said the team buses left Central Union High Fri., Nov. 6 at about 1:30 p.m. They stopped at a restaurant off Buckman Springs exit on the Interstate 8, just before Sunrise Highway, to get a bite to eat.

What amazed this reporter was that he and other staff could remember minute details of the previous games between the two schools. Four of the coaches, including Head Coach David Pena, are in their 10th years with the team. "The thing is they get along great, not just on the field but off it," said principal Craig Lyon, who grew up in the Imperial Valley.

Fletcher Mavity, the Spartans' statistician and self-described "team historian", is in his 14th year. He said Central got LED lights this summer to replace their old stadium lights from the 1950's or so--kind of like La Jolla's--and that they can be turned to various settings with a flick of a switch, for different colors and so forth--just like Petco Park or Dodger Stadium.

Mavity remembered the 2023 game against La Jolla, played in San Diego, which was a Division 3 quarterfinals. The Vikings won 28-23 during quarterback Jackson Diehl's senior season at La Jolla, when he was named the divisional Player of the Year.

A disputed play that Lyon, the principal, still carries on his phone, is a reception that Viking #10--gotta look it up--had his knee down when he received the pass. The boys at Central are still talking about that one. (Lyon showed me the photo on his phone.)

Lyon joked, "We don't have to worry about our population growing too much," with the extreme heat that occurs each year in the Imperial Valley. He also served as athletic director at Southwest High (El Centro), and he plans to stay in the area when he retires a year from now after 12 years as principal.

*  *  *

Mavity said Vincent Memorial, a small private school in the El Centro area, has a girl flag football quarterback from Mexico who is very talented.

I looked her up. Azul ("blue") Trujillo, a junior, has 6,298 passing yards and is not done this fall. The Scots defeated Mission Bay Nov. 3 in a CIF playoff game 32-6. Trujillo piled up 310 passing yards, four passing TD's, and 28 completions.

She plays in the Mexico Junior National Team program, and is ranked in yardage first in the San Diego Section, 11th in California, and 13th in the U.S.

Vincent Memorial defeated Escondido Charter, 38-12, for the D2 title Sat., Nov. 7.

Trujillo has seven more TD's keeping the ball, leading her team in rushing yardage with 678 yards.

One of her receivers, Jessica Manriquez, averaged 13.9 yards per reception, on 2,644 yards receiving. Unbelievable. I've never seen football numbers that high in high school.

LJ Cheer: LJ-Central FB 11/6

Photos by Ed Piper

LJ FB: Photos 11/6

Photos by Ed Piper

Viking linebacker Blake Beer (underneath)

slams Angel Vasquez (5'9", 160 lbs.)

down on the turf after a 13-yard gain.

Central eventually scored, 11 plays

later, to run out the first half.

Hector Lino Jr. (9) is tackled by Joseph

Crudo (10) of La Jolla after a three-yard gain

on a pass in the first quarter. Play came on

Central's second possession.

Kali Deberry (23) rushes up the middle

on one of three carries in a drive ending

the first period. The drive didn't result

in a score, the Vikings maintaining

a 7-0 lead.

Members of the LJ offense watch video

during the first quarter, including Kali Deberry

(far left) and QB Brody Bukich (seated),

in front of Matias Frye (50). The coach (right)

is Ben Gooding (with a beard).

Angel Vasquez of Central holds on to a

4-yard pass after falling out of the end zone

for a TD. Time ran out on the play. It occurred

at the end of the second quarter. Viking

safety Moxy Appelbaum (22) defends.

LJ's Ryan Hassankhani (88) is about to have

his field goal attempt in the first quarter

blocked by Central Union. The kicker

had to pounce on the ball to prevent it

from being run in for a TD by the Spartans.

Blake Beer (9) leaps to try to block

the PAT by Central's Malaki Rodriguez

after time ran out in the first half.

The kick made it 21-7, Vikings in front.

Viking defenders kneel in prayer

during an injury timeout for a player

from Central Union.

LJ FB 31, Central Union 14 - CIF D3 playoffs - first round - 11/6

Viking running back Kali Deberry carries

the ball two yards for a touchdown in the first quarter,

as QB Brody Bukich signals "TD" with his arms.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Quarterback Brody Bukich delivered a strike to an open Emerson Rota, who then ran 50 more yards for a touchdown, as La Jolla routed visiting Central Union, 31-4, in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs Fri., Nov. 6.

The 79-yard pass play came after Viking running back Kali Deberry opened scoring on the game's first possession with a two-yard plunge for a 7-0 lead. That drive consumed 10 plays spanning 78 yards, including two keepers by Bukich and two other short runs by Deberry.

Brody, a junior, who has not connected on many long passes with his receivers this year, came up big early in the second quarter on the play.

It also marked a rare occasion this season when Coach Tyler Roach's squad has jumped out to an early big lead, as junior safety Moxy Appelbaum scooped up a Spartan fumble and ran it in 41 yards to lead 21-0 midway through the second stanza.

LJ receiver Emerson Rota (2) beats his man

to catch a bomb from QB Brody Bukich

and run the ball in from 50 yards. The defender

is Francisco Munoz (12). Action

took place in the second quarter and

gave the Vikings a 14-0 advantage.

La Jolla worked methodically, mixing short passes with rushes primarily by Deberry to be effective.

On this night, the Vikings (now 4-7 overall) performed like the more talented team. On the other hand, the boys from Imperial Valley (now 6-5) appeared overmatched after a long drive from El Centro.

Roach's team contributed in all facets of the game, with the offense putting in the dagger early, then the defense behind Appelbaum supplying extra go power. Finally, kicker Ryan Hassankhani drilled a field goal in the second half after Central meekly answered with a short completion for a TD as time ran out in the first half to make it 21-7.

Ironically, the first-round win sets the Vikings up for a rematch at University City Fri., Nov. 13. La Jolla dropped out of hosting a bye in the first round most likely because of its 49-42 loss to UC on Senior Night Oct. 30. UC received a week off as their reward.

LJ FH 0, Scripps Ranch 2 - Open Division quarterfinals - 11/5

Photos by Ed Piper

Domino Ashby (right) defends

as Scripps' Sammy Ippolito moves

the ball. Ippolito scored the Falcons'

second goal with 10 minutes left

in the game.

The Vikings' Talia Snider (4, left) plays

in her final high school match. Avery

Archer (17) blocks her shot. Archer

scored the Falcons' first and deciding

goal in the initial quarter.

La Jolla's defense successfully stops a

Scripps shot in the third quarter, including

goalie Adalee Branstetter (pink jersey,

on the ground).

Frida Soto Lopez (9) works

in front of the two team

benches in the fourth quarter.

Sofia Saiegh (10) powers the ball toward

the goal in closing moments.

A praying mantis invaded the Vikings'

bench area in the second half.

Domino Ashby tries to retrieve a ball

from the near sideline, but the ball

went out of bounds. #15 for the Falcons

is Vivian Peciaro.

LJ b water polo: Looking ahead to Open semifinals

By Ed Piper

Now that La Jolla's boys water polo team has won its quarterfinal match in the Open playoffs--an 18-7 win over Carlsbad Wed., Nov. 4--the next question has to do with the semifinals Tues., Nov. 10.

The Vikings, under Coach Tom Atwell, face Bishop's in their quest to repeat as Open Division champions. Can the Knights keep Vike scorer Dexter Black under wraps?

The answer is yes: Ian Davidson and Doug Peabody's squad can and did limit the 6'8" Black in their return Western League match Oct. 21 in a 17-15 win. If Dex operates unfettered, and is able to wheel and deal with his creativity on offense, opponents are going to have a tough time. If they can shut the 2025 Player of the Year off, or at least neutralize him, they then have to concentrate on the Vikings' other threats.

It should be noted that Cathedral Catholic, under Coach Tommy Corcoran, hasn't had any problem defending Black this season. Put one player on the able attacker, and make adjustments in other parts of the defense, and their work becomes much more manageable.

The Dons, who have their own aquatic club to develop their athletes in, handled La Jolla both times they faced them in league play--16-15 at Coggan Pool in a cliffhanger Sept. 23 to start Western League action, and an easy 17-12 win at home Oct. 14.

The Knights have only been successful in this task one of two times. In their home game against the Vikes in the first round, Davidson had to remind his players as action went on to not pass over Black--who, on the defensive side, was helping create havoc by intercepting passes. The coach, rightly, interpreted that and communicated it to his players.

Atwell's crew is talented enough that, first, Henry Glenister at center can score. Then Lev Kevorkian, and ultimately Quinn Daniels can deliver when their teammate Black is heavily defended. Finally, Jude Laifa, a junior who has ably stepped into the starting lineup this season, will deliver at key times.

The issue in the quarterfinals against Carlsbad was that the Lancers just didn't have a defender who could handle Dexter capably. Time and again, the Air Force Academy commit was able to range freely on the four-five side, the right side of the box, and break loose. When he's given that freedom, he will create plays and feed his teammates, including Laifa on the other side.

Even more dangerously, Black will freelance and hover, like he did in the second half when the ball sprang loose when La Jolla was on offense, in front of the cage. He gently tapped the ball in, as Carlsbad's goalie was left alone with Dexter waiting for just the right moment.

From Atwell's standpoint, the Vikings must create opportunities for their other offensive options when their big star is shut off. Bishop's, in the impending semifinals, has the ability to neutralize him, as they have shown already this season. Then the others, primarily Daniels, Kevorkian, and Laifa, must be able to score out of the offense.

Glenister will be heavily occupied at center, with the physical push-and-pull that position requires. He doesn't have to score a million goals for the Vikings to do well. But the others have to be freed on the perimeter for shot opportunities.

La Jolla and Bishop's are extremely close as far as matchups and team strength. It should be a tight battle under the lights at Coggan.

LJ FB: Central Union to travel two hours to La Jolla

By Ed Piper

The Spartans of Central Union High, from steamy El Centro, have an incredible 200-member marching band, cheerleaders, and a community that supports the local team.

That's what you do in a rural, family-focused region--go to Friday Night Lights, watch the only show in town plus the talented musicians who cavort in precision during halftime.

As you dig deeper, you find people in the Imperial Valley who are passionate Central Union fans, Brawley fans (the "little brother" seven miles away), Imperial fans, Holtville. They all travel immense distances to support their teams when they play at San Diego schools, and when it's wrestling or some other sport that involves tournaments, parents and family make it an all-day event.

Well, this is who La Jolla faces in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs tomorrow night, Fri., Nov. 6. A passionate base, winners or losers, wearing school apparel to carry the torch.

The Spartans, 1-3 in the Imperial Valley League and 6-4 overall, got smoked to start the season at home against La Costa Canyon, 35-0. That was like La Jolla's venture to host Cathedral Catholic, another superpower, which ended similarly.

In league, the Unitarians jolted tiny Calexico, 42-6, for their best beat-down of the season. They were on the wrong side of losses to Valley opponents Imperial (34-10), Holtville (50-7), and Brawley (14-7).

El Centro is mostly going to hand off the ball to running backs Fidel Camarena Jr. or Fernando Bolanos. Camarena, a senior, has 10 ground touchdowns on 113 carries for 660 yards, in the most recent statistics posted by the staff.

Bolanos, a junior, has rushed 63 times for 557 yards and five TD's.

Alec Hernandez, a senior quarterback, has distributed his 65 completions on 113 attempts for 720 yards mostly among four primary receivers: seniors Angel Vasquez with 235 yards, Dominic Torres with 143 yards, Hector Lino Jr. with 105 yards, and Camarena, the multi-purpose back, with 95 yards.

The Vikings had the long-distance experience of traveling to El Centro several years ago, in extreme heat, and playing a night game that also featured the Spartan marching band at halftime The place was packed. It was a tough environment. The date was August 17, 2018--La Jolla's second year under present Head Coach Tyler Roach. Central wasn't very nice, downing the Vikings 40-14.

LJ b water polo: Game story 11/4

By Ed Piper

Carlsbad coach Mike Mulvey didn't sugarcoat the daunting task of facing La Jolla in the first round of the CIF Open playoffs. "It's going to be tough. I'm not going to lie," said Mulvey, showing a little smile as he talked about having to stop Viking star Dexter Black on offense.

"You have to be physical (to defend him). He's super-tall, he's a super player."

The Lancers were charged up, ready to slay the giant in the first quarter Wed., Nov. 4. They scored the match's opening goal, with only 44 seconds elapsed, before Black, last year's CIF Player of the Year on a 6'8" frame, tied it with his own goal a half minute later.

With a large crowd in attendance, Carlsbad repeatedly took the lead behind Kai Brousseau, Connor Marshall, and Torin Peters, the hosts coming back to knot the score each time at 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4, before La Jolla went into the first quarter break leading 5-4 behind Jude Laifa's score from the perimeter.

Viking coach Tom Atwell, vociferous as always, kept with his game plan. You could see the Lancers were playing above their heads, soon having to substitute players in as the intensity of the game continued.

In the second quarter, the red-and-black created some separation, moving out to a 10-5 lead behind goals by Henry Glenister, a lefthander like Black, Laifa, Dexter again, Lev Kevorkian, and Quinn Daniels--all the usual suspects.

Black's second goal was a product of his further refinement in the Junior Worlds in Portugal this past summer, waving the ball in the air in his left hand, taking Carlsbad goalie Max Carr on one-on-one. Dex dropped the ball in the cage from the one-foot range, defending him single-handedly when he's hot a near-impossible task.

Mulvey's crew regrouped a little after catching their breath at halftime, trailing 10-6. After the Vikings' Barney Pearce was fouled--which later infuriated him so much, he had to sit out on a misconduct call--Black succeeded on the resulting penalty shot. That made it 11-6, before Karson Gebauer lofted a floater over La Jolla goalie Addie Calhoun to close again to within four.

Atwell was really getting perturbed now, but the rest of the half was smooth sailing before the subs were called in for both teams late in the fourth quarter.. The final count was 18-7.

Before the wreckage was cleared, back at 14-7, Dexter watchfully nudged the ball in during a skirmish in front of the cage with eight seconds left in the third.

*  *  *

Brian Wilbur of the section Aquatic Committee said during the game that new "storming" rules prohibiting jumping into the pool by fans during a celebration have recently been instituted by the State CIF. He said he didn't know what the consequences would be if someone violated the new rules, but he and a reporter were speaking about the Vikings' CIF Open title celebration last fall when numerous LJHS students jumped into the pool.

LJ b water polo 18, Carlsbad 7 - CIF Open playoffs - quarterfinals - 11/4

Photos by Ed Piper

LJ goalie Addie Calhoun (far left) and

teammate guard Karson Gebauer (13,

with ball) with a tie score near the end

of the first quarter.

LJ FH 0, Bishop's 5 - 10/29

Photos by Ed Piper

Viking goalie Adalee Branstetter (77, pink)

defends against the Bishop's attack in early

going.

(20) of Bishop's tries to block the movement

of Ella "Milty" Milton (13) with the ball.

LJ's Frida Soto Lopez (9, left) goes

stick-to-stick against Lola Conway (1)

of Bishop's.

Bishop's junior Lola Conway (far right), the top

scorer in California last year, hits in the

Knights' offense in opening moments

of the game.

LJ FB: Game review 10/30

Viking running back Joseph Crudo

(carrying the ball) batters his way

through a porous UC defense to score

his first TD with 6:20 left in the

first quarter. LJ led, 7-0.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

It was a scary night the evening before Halloween, as La Jolla's struggling football team, carrying a 3-6 record, lost on a last-second play to local rival UCHS, 49-42, Fri., Oct. 30, at home. Both teams ended up the Eastern League regular schedule with identical 2-3 records as a result.

The Cents broke a 42-42 tie on a long passing touchdown, after a seesaw string of the two teams trading scoring in the second half, to win by a TD.

The Vikings, however, on their own Senior Night including football players, cheerleaders, and two members of the band--the last which turned in an outstanding performance in the finale--prevailed in the first half, 21-13. They did it on the shoulders of running backs Kali Deberry and senior Joseph Crudo, who also played on defense and made key plays there.

Crudo, in particular, was a man on a mission in his last regular-season high school football game. He repeatedly sacrificed his body and went against all odds propelling his compact 5'6", 165-pound frame to gain additional yardage.

Deberry scored La Jolla's third touchdown with 1:36 left in the first half for the eight-point lead, then uncharacteristically struck a Heisman pose in the end zone. He is usually a friendly, smiling, but reserved individual.

Moxy Applebaum (22, far right) returns

a punt to the LJ 19-yard line after

UCHS tied the game 7-7 in the

first quarter.

His backfield mate, Joseph, battered his way to touchdown number two a quarter before that, with 1:34 remaining, from 14 yards out. The Vikings led at that point, 14-6.

Crudo previously carried the ball in for a TD to open scoring in the first quarter, at the 6:20 point, at just after 7:05 p.m. (The game started four minutes early.)

Lineman Zach "Snacks" Gergurich, playing both ways, appeared at the informal Halloween baseball scrimmage the following morning. "I'm pretty banged up," he said, displaying scratches under his right arm he attributed to an opposing player's helmet. Gergurich--whom baseball teammates claimed at the scrimmage, "He's our 'Snacks'"--is a Division 1 commit to play football at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

LJ Cheer: LJ-UC football 10/30

Photos by Ed Piper