Saturday, November 30, 2019
LJ FB: Game story
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| Viking receiver Makai Smith makes three yards on a pass from Jackson Stratton late in the second quarter. (Photos by Ed Piper) |
La Jolla wanted its offense to score early, to set a tone and to steady sophomore quarterback Jackson Stratton and his cohorts. An early score had worked against Brawley in the CIF semifinals, and Coach Tyler Roach wanted the same for the Division 3 final.
A touchdown came in the last minute of the first quarter: Stratton, who finished the semifinal thriller last week with seven straight completions, found Makai Smith with a 31-yard aerial on the left side of the end zone. Smith, who had run back the opening kickoff 91 yards the previous week to make a statement for his team, neared the goal line, calmly turned to look for the direction of the ball, and elevated.
Against two defenders marking him closely, the 6-foot sophomore came down with the ball, seemingly pulling it away from his rivals. He rolled over, then got up to show the ball for the officials to see that he, indeed, had secured it. The Vikings led, 7-0, after Devin Bale's kick.
Again, it was big-play Makai on La Jolla's first possession of the second half who ran over from two yards out and put the Vikings in a lead they would never relinquish, 14-10, with Bale's PAT.
After Bale's 39-yard field goal made it 17-10 with 4:31 left in the game, cornerback Alessandro Demoreno intercepted a Luke Durkin pass a little more than a minute later, and La Jolla was able to hold on for a heart-throbbing win to reverse the Falcons' 17-7 victory in week five of the season and take the school's first CIF title since 1993.
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| Junior Devin Bale punts the ball away to Scripps Ranch in the second half. |
"I try to keep a straight face (stay calm)," said Makai of his TD reception. "I look around, and try to catch the ball," is how he simplified it in words.
The vaunted Scripps Ranch defense, which Coach Marlon Gardinera has credited with the Falcons' success all season, stuffed running back Max Smith most of the game. But they had never faced the production of the other Smith, Makai, who sat out the first part of the season as a transfer and started late. Apparently, seeing him on video wasn't sufficient to devise schemes to counter his receiving and running moves.
Max, obviously in Scripps' sights, served as a kind of decoy for Makai, who was freed up for Stratton's passes and several carries. In the first quarter alone, Makai Smith had three catches for 62 yards and three rushes for nine yards.
A crowd of thousands supporting La Jolla at Devore Stadium, on Southwestern College's campus, competed with a larger Scripps Ranch rooting section on the home side of the stadium in drowning out opponents' signals. More than once, Stratton struggled in getting the play call from Roach on the sideline, as the Falcon fans raised a wall of noise during the 1 p.m. game.
Afterward, in the celebration, which included the trophy presentation to Roach on a platform at midfield, students, family, and friends lined the fence at the foot of the visitors stands to sing the Alma Mater, hug and kiss Viking players, take photos, and hobnob until stadium officials finally began moving the crowd to the exits.
It was unlike any other moment in the last 24 years for La Jolla football, since the school's last league football title in 1995, and five league championships in six years under Coach Dick "Hud" Huddleston. And really, undoubtedly, since 1993, the first of two straight years "Hud" took them to the CIF Finals, winning in '93 (falling in '94).
Stop, there's more. Roach will wait for word of their match-up in the Southern California Regionals, probably coming Sunday afternoon, Dec. 1. "It could be a home game," the flushed LJHS head coach said as the stadium celebration wound down. The game date can be Fri., Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m., or Sat., Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., likely versus a school from the Southern Section in Los Angeles/Orange County.
LJ FB: Back to where it started
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| The Viking defense awaits the hike in the second half. Linebackers Jack Wiese (far right) and Max Smith (to his right) stand ready. (Photo by Ed Piper) |
It started right here.
Here, at Devore Stadium on the campus of Southwestern College, where La Jolla's football team reached the 7-on-7 finals last summer before falling to a highly-touted Lincoln squad.
No one outside of Coach Tyler Roach's team thought much of it at the time. Winning in the summer isn't always repeated with late fall success under the glare of Friday Night Lights.
But on Sat., Nov. 30, the Vikings, with their fifth win in a row, the last three in the postseason, came full circle to nail down their school's first CIF championship since 1993 with an exciting 17-10 win over favored Scripps Ranch.
"I don't remember," said sophomore quarterback Jackson Stratton when asked the score of that summer league tilt before the game. In that Friday-Saturday event four months ago, the gunslinger under center began showing his potential on the varsity level.
The Viking defense, under Coordinator Charles Bussey, started to exhibit its stoutness.
And Diego Solis, who alternated as starting quarterback last season as a 10th-grader and who, by all accounts, looked to be this year's QB, began his transition to playmaker as a receiver and sometime running back on sweeps.
Looking back, all of this recent success defies what was expected lo, those months ago, in the heat of the summer.
But the seeds were sowed, first on an auxiliary field adjacent to the stadium, then on day two of the seven-on-seven tourney, the move to the big field for the final against the Hornets. Who would have thought it would grow to this?
LJ FB 17, Scripps Ranch 10 - CIF Championship - Division 3
"3 and 7, 3 and 7, 3 and 7," the La Jolla players chanted as they stood under the scoreboard at Devore Stadium at Southwestern College Saturday afternoon, Nov. 30.
The board above them showed "Falcons 10, Vikings 17" in the biggest rejoinder to the preseason forecast made for them by the local metropolitan newspaper back in August.
The Vikings had just upset undefeated and favored Scripps Ranch (now 12-1) in the Division 3 title game, employing their usual pattern of jolting defense combined with enough big plays to come from behind and win.
Only now, third-year Coach Tyler Roach's squad is doing it better and better. La Jolla (9-4) has now extended its end-of-season win streak to five games.
"0-4," one of the Vikings said a few minutes later as the team began to disperse across the field, some to the visitors side where a couple thousand fans, many in black and red, lined the fence at the bottom of the stands to cheer them.
That pair of numbers referred to the prediction for their Eastern League season, what with Morse and Christian, who both pommeled La Jolla last year, looming as conference foes. Max Smith, Jack Wiese, Dirk Germon, and company turned 0-4 on its head for a spotless 4-0 slate with a 20-19 shocker over the Christian Patriots Nov. 1, which now seems like a long time ago.
Another media prediction that grated was this: "They said we would only be able to stay with them (Scripps Ranch) for one quarter," shouted another Viking.
The reverse ended up being true, as the underdogs took the lead permanently midway through the third quarter and it was the Falcons who was forced to attempt three Hail Mary's in the end zone in the last two minutes in a desperate attempt to come back, down by seven.
Of course, Roach and his assistants used the 3-7, 0-4, and stay-with-them-one-quarter as bulletin board motivators all season, jacking up their overachievers who thought they had things figured out early in the season after a game three 28-14 win over Santa Fe Christian at home, but were humbled the next two weeks.
Scripps Ranch had not faced this version of the Vikings when they beat them 17-7 at Scripps in week five. In that one, La Jolla's offense was unable to score, the only points coming on Max Smith's 75-yard runback of a pick six off Falcon quarterback Luke Durkin.
Thursday, November 28, 2019
LJ g BB 13, Foothills Christian 61 - Season opener
By Ed Piper
La Jolla coach Darice Carnaje took a phone call from Foothills Christian coach Joey Turk, and the result was the first meeting between the two teams.
"They called me," asserted Carnaje before the Vikings' season opener at home Tues., Nov. 26.
"We had never played them," was the reason Turk, in his third year as Knights head coach, gave for making the call.
Maybe Carnaje had second thoughts after the game. But then again, in the past she has welcomed opponents that have provided a "wakeup call" for her girls, if that was needed.
Foothills, behind Turk's daughter, point guard Ellie Turks, pommeled its way to a 61-13 win over the inexperienced Vikings.
"She is one of the best players in the county," her father, not unbiased, claimed before the tipoff.
But, true to form, even after the hosts went down 15-0 in the first six minutes, and trailed 37-3 at halftime, Carnaje didn't opt for a running clock until the fourth quarter.
From her vantage point, at least her players were piling up game experience and minutes, even if the scoreboard wasn't kind.
"Most of our experienced players graduated last year," said the fourth-year coach, referring to Brooke Strowbridge, Kat Kurtchi, and other seniors on the 2018-2019 squad.
Caroline Palmer, an aggressive, go-to-the-ball type, and Sam Stark, a 5'8" front court player, were among the returners from last year's rotation.
The contest, against one of the county's top 25 teams, which went 25-7 last year when Ellie Turk averaged 24 points a game, 7.2 assists, 6.4 steals, 6.3 rebounds, and 3 blocks a game, really wasn't a fair match for the young La Jolla players.
They'll do better against programs more in their range, in games that are coming up.
Besides, the original purpose of interscholastic sports was healthy competition, not paths to college scholarships and possibly beyond. Anyone and everyone can play on this team.
It seemed for a while that Regina Cardenas, just over from the winning Viking field hockey team, would be the only team member to score.
The 5'3" guard made a 12-foot jump shot with 1:57 left in the opening quarter to break the 15-0 shutout.
The junior then canned the second of two free throws early in the second quarter for a 23-3 deficit. That was right after Turks made yet another steal and bucket at the other end, as Foothills' pressure was relentless.
Other Vikings eventually scored a rare basket here and there.
Just because the game was out of reach, the Knights, who also feature 6'0" front court player Arontxa (pronounced "aront-za") Fonseca, obviously weren't about to take their foot off the gas.
La Jolla coach Darice Carnaje took a phone call from Foothills Christian coach Joey Turk, and the result was the first meeting between the two teams.
"They called me," asserted Carnaje before the Vikings' season opener at home Tues., Nov. 26.
"We had never played them," was the reason Turk, in his third year as Knights head coach, gave for making the call.
Maybe Carnaje had second thoughts after the game. But then again, in the past she has welcomed opponents that have provided a "wakeup call" for her girls, if that was needed.
Foothills, behind Turk's daughter, point guard Ellie Turks, pommeled its way to a 61-13 win over the inexperienced Vikings.
"She is one of the best players in the county," her father, not unbiased, claimed before the tipoff.
But, true to form, even after the hosts went down 15-0 in the first six minutes, and trailed 37-3 at halftime, Carnaje didn't opt for a running clock until the fourth quarter.
From her vantage point, at least her players were piling up game experience and minutes, even if the scoreboard wasn't kind.
"Most of our experienced players graduated last year," said the fourth-year coach, referring to Brooke Strowbridge, Kat Kurtchi, and other seniors on the 2018-2019 squad.
Caroline Palmer, an aggressive, go-to-the-ball type, and Sam Stark, a 5'8" front court player, were among the returners from last year's rotation.
The contest, against one of the county's top 25 teams, which went 25-7 last year when Ellie Turk averaged 24 points a game, 7.2 assists, 6.4 steals, 6.3 rebounds, and 3 blocks a game, really wasn't a fair match for the young La Jolla players.
They'll do better against programs more in their range, in games that are coming up.
Besides, the original purpose of interscholastic sports was healthy competition, not paths to college scholarships and possibly beyond. Anyone and everyone can play on this team.
It seemed for a while that Regina Cardenas, just over from the winning Viking field hockey team, would be the only team member to score.
The 5'3" guard made a 12-foot jump shot with 1:57 left in the opening quarter to break the 15-0 shutout.
The junior then canned the second of two free throws early in the second quarter for a 23-3 deficit. That was right after Turks made yet another steal and bucket at the other end, as Foothills' pressure was relentless.
Other Vikings eventually scored a rare basket here and there.
Just because the game was out of reach, the Knights, who also feature 6'0" front court player Arontxa (pronounced "aront-za") Fonseca, obviously weren't about to take their foot off the gas.
LJ b BB 38, Country Day 71 - Madison tourney
By Ed Piper
Between waves of a cold Thanksgiving storm, Country Day rained--rather, down-poured--on La Jolla in a 71-38 thrashing that wasn't nearly that close Wed., Nov. 27, in the Madison Regional Rumble tournament.
The Torreys, who scored the first 10 points of the game, led 36-12 at halftime, even after inserting four subs at the start of the second quarter alongside floor general James Hapgood. LJCDS coach Ryan Meier's substitutes rotated in with the starters through the rest of the game.
It was the second time in the first three games in which Viking coach Paul Baranowski's young squad looked over-matched, at least part of the time.
In this outing, from the start, point guard Christian Gamboa, who scored 31 points in a narrow win over Madison two days before, Brennan Ross, a sophomore newcomer who added 18 in that contest, and their teammates were smothered by a stifling 2-3 zone defense that wouldn't even permit La Jolla's perimeter players to get off a clear shot.
The Vikings can't wait to get some relief from the arrival of Diego Solis, like Gamboa a returning starter, to share leadership. The besieged Gamboa, in the face of the Torreys' extreme pressure, which forced La Jolla's guards on offense out near the halfcourt line, managed only a free throw in the second period and no points in the fourth. He finished with 12 points.
Solis and Luke Brunette, a junior newcomer to the varsity who showed promise in summer league, will come over from football once the Viking football team completes its season. The possibility looms that the basketball team's frustration could be extended, if Coach Tyler Roach's footballers win the Division 3 championship Sat., Nov. 30. They would then play the following week in the state regionals.
Freshman Vincent Ricchiuti, in his best shooting performance of the young season, made four three-pointers for 12 points. Ross was limited to eight points.
Meanwhile, Hapgood and forward Sam Coleman, veterans of Country Day's Division 3 state championship last March, helped repeatedly victimize an overwhelmed Viking unit. Hapgood, whose twin brother transferred this year to play for La Costa Canyon, had 12 points. Sophomore Tate Smith led all scorers with 15. Coleman added 10, including a pair of threes that got his jubilant teammates up off the bench during the first quarter rout.
"He does everything," replied Meier after the game when asked about Hapgood's contribution. "It's one of those things...you don't see everything he does, (from) what you see in the Union-Tribune He gets deflections. He gets steals. The kid is a winner. If I could find the words, I'd use them.
"You saw it. The deflections, the steals. He sets everyone up."
Hapgood sported a 'fro with the top dyed a lighter yellowish color. "It'll grow out to there," said Meier, grinning, gesturing with his hands apart.
On Coleman, the coach said, "Coincidentally, you ask. We looked at film of Sam today. In our first possessions in our last game (an 82-53 win over Mira Mesa, which La Jolla lost to, 54-44), on our first offensive possession and on our first defensive position, (Sam) did everything we ask players to do. He's a coachable player."
Asked what those things are, Meier explained, "We want to see a lot of off-ball action on offense. Defensively, we want to see off-ball work, too.
"He's the guard in the middle (in the back of the 2-3 zone). We want him to communicate. He does that because he's in the middle of the back and he sees everything. He's a great communicator."
Hapgood's and Coleman's leadership have Country Day waiting on the result of the St. Augustine-Mission Hills game Fri., Nov. 29, to see if the Torreys play in the tournament championship against already-qualified Christian Saturday. Either Country Day or the Saints-Mission Hills winner advances, determined by the fewest points allowed through pool play.
Between waves of a cold Thanksgiving storm, Country Day rained--rather, down-poured--on La Jolla in a 71-38 thrashing that wasn't nearly that close Wed., Nov. 27, in the Madison Regional Rumble tournament.
The Torreys, who scored the first 10 points of the game, led 36-12 at halftime, even after inserting four subs at the start of the second quarter alongside floor general James Hapgood. LJCDS coach Ryan Meier's substitutes rotated in with the starters through the rest of the game.
It was the second time in the first three games in which Viking coach Paul Baranowski's young squad looked over-matched, at least part of the time.
In this outing, from the start, point guard Christian Gamboa, who scored 31 points in a narrow win over Madison two days before, Brennan Ross, a sophomore newcomer who added 18 in that contest, and their teammates were smothered by a stifling 2-3 zone defense that wouldn't even permit La Jolla's perimeter players to get off a clear shot.
The Vikings can't wait to get some relief from the arrival of Diego Solis, like Gamboa a returning starter, to share leadership. The besieged Gamboa, in the face of the Torreys' extreme pressure, which forced La Jolla's guards on offense out near the halfcourt line, managed only a free throw in the second period and no points in the fourth. He finished with 12 points.
Solis and Luke Brunette, a junior newcomer to the varsity who showed promise in summer league, will come over from football once the Viking football team completes its season. The possibility looms that the basketball team's frustration could be extended, if Coach Tyler Roach's footballers win the Division 3 championship Sat., Nov. 30. They would then play the following week in the state regionals.
Freshman Vincent Ricchiuti, in his best shooting performance of the young season, made four three-pointers for 12 points. Ross was limited to eight points.
Meanwhile, Hapgood and forward Sam Coleman, veterans of Country Day's Division 3 state championship last March, helped repeatedly victimize an overwhelmed Viking unit. Hapgood, whose twin brother transferred this year to play for La Costa Canyon, had 12 points. Sophomore Tate Smith led all scorers with 15. Coleman added 10, including a pair of threes that got his jubilant teammates up off the bench during the first quarter rout.
"He does everything," replied Meier after the game when asked about Hapgood's contribution. "It's one of those things...you don't see everything he does, (from) what you see in the Union-Tribune He gets deflections. He gets steals. The kid is a winner. If I could find the words, I'd use them.
"You saw it. The deflections, the steals. He sets everyone up."
Hapgood sported a 'fro with the top dyed a lighter yellowish color. "It'll grow out to there," said Meier, grinning, gesturing with his hands apart.
On Coleman, the coach said, "Coincidentally, you ask. We looked at film of Sam today. In our first possessions in our last game (an 82-53 win over Mira Mesa, which La Jolla lost to, 54-44), on our first offensive possession and on our first defensive position, (Sam) did everything we ask players to do. He's a coachable player."
Asked what those things are, Meier explained, "We want to see a lot of off-ball action on offense. Defensively, we want to see off-ball work, too.
"He's the guard in the middle (in the back of the 2-3 zone). We want him to communicate. He does that because he's in the middle of the back and he sees everything. He's a great communicator."
Hapgood's and Coleman's leadership have Country Day waiting on the result of the St. Augustine-Mission Hills game Fri., Nov. 29, to see if the Torreys play in the tournament championship against already-qualified Christian Saturday. Either Country Day or the Saints-Mission Hills winner advances, determined by the fewest points allowed through pool play.
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