Week in Sports: Locals win season openers
Football
La Jolla High School opened its season on a positive note, securing a 19-7 nonleague victory over Santa Fe Christian on Sept. 6.The Vikings turned in a solid defensive effort, limiting the Eagles to just one first down before halftime. They surged to a 12-0 halftime lead on field goals of 42 and 44 yards from Lee Abelkop and a 9-yard touchdown pass from Zac Zlatic to tight end Taylor Davis.
Santa Fe Christian got within one score with a short touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, but with the Eagles driving late in the frame, La Jolla’s Thomas Bowman intercepted a Santa Fe Christian pass and returned it 22 yards for a game-clinching touchdown.
Robbie Beathard led the Vikings’ ground game with 87 yards on 10 carries, and also gave the defense a lift with 10 tackles. Henry Nawahini and Zlatic split time at quarterback and combined to complete seven of 14 passes for 89 yards. Nawahini added 10 tackles, while Bowman and Harper Allan each had eight.
La Jolla Country Day also opened its season with a win, topping The Meadows School, 43-20, in Nevada on Sept. 5.
The Torreys trailed, 20-13, at halftime, but out-scored their hosts, 30-0, in the second half.
Derek Hatfield overcame a three-interception first half to finish the game 7-for-22 with three picks and a touchdown pass. He did most of his damage on the ground, scoring four rushing touchdowns and carrying 23 times for 171 yards. Montell Allen and Frankie Brown each rushed for 57 yards, and Shonta Chiloux gained 23 yards on the ground.
Doug Rogers led all receivers with two catches for 27 yards, including one for a touchdown.
Allen sparked the Torreys’ defense with 15 tackles, and Chiloux had seven tackles and a sack. Junior Togiaso made four tackles and blocked a punt.
The Bishop’s School secured a season-opening win over the Institute of Mexico, 28-0, on Sept. 6.
Mike Jensen steered the Knights to victory with eight carries for 111 yards and three touchdowns. Micah Seau added 74 yards on nine carries, and Kyle Jester contributed 59 yards on the ground as Bishop’s established a strong running game.
Seau led the defense with 10 tackles, and Alex Carrillo contributed four tackles and a sack as the Knights’ defense limited Institute of Mexico to six first downs.
Cross country
La Jolla Country Day competed at the Wolfpack Invitational in Santee on Sept. 5, and turned in some positive early-season results.The boys’ team had two runners finish in the top 10 and four in the top 25. Freshman Noah Wolfenzon led the way, finishing fifth with a time of eight minutes, 55 seconds over the 1.6-mile course. Sophomore Lee Klitzner was 13th in his race, finishing in 12:07 over a 2.1-mile course. Dennis Roth placed second in the junior race, narrowly missing out on an individual victory with a time of 11:19 over 2.1 miles.
The Torreys girls’ team gained experience and had some promising results. Junior Aleena Young was Country Day’s top finisher, placing 21st in 10:53 over 1.6 miles. Freshman Samantha Staszak placed 24th in her race.
THE WEEK AHEAD IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
BEST BET
Football
Friday, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.The Bishop’s School at La Jolla Country Day
La Jolla’s two small schools meet in a nonleague game that always brings out the best qualities of a rivalry matchup. The Knights and Torreys were big winners in their season openers last week, so both will be looking to keep their unblemished records intact.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 11
Girls’ volleyball
- La Jolla High School at Lakeland tournament, TBA Boys’ water polo
- La Jolla Country Day at Poway Invitational, TBA Girls’ tennis
- La Jolla Country Day vs. Tri-City Christian, 3:30 p.m. Field hockey
- The Bishop’s School vs. San Dieguito Academy, 3:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 12
Football
- La Jolla High School at Valley Center, 7:30 p.m.
- Bishop’s at La Jolla Country Day, 7 p.m. Girls’ volleyball
- La Jolla High School at Lakeland tournament, TBA
- La Jolla Country Day at Varsity Classic, TBA
Boys’ water polo
- La Jolla Country Day at Poway Invitational, TBA
- The Bishop’s School vs. Dos Pueblos, 3:30 p.m. Field hockey
- La Jolla High School vs. Eastlake, 4 p.m.
Cross country
- La Jolla High School at Mustang Invitational (at Rohr Park), 3:05 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 13
Girls’ volleyball
- La Jolla High School at Lakeland tournament, TBA
- La Jolla Country Day at Varsity Classic, TBA
- The Bishop’s School at Lakeland tournament, TBA
Cross country
- La Jolla Country Day at Bronco Invitational (at Kit Carson Park), TBA
SUNDAY, SEPT. 14
Girls’ volleyball
- La Jolla High School at Lakeland tournament, TBA
MONDAY, SEPT. 15
Girls’ volleyball
- La Jolla High School at Lakeland tournament, TBA
TUESDAY, SEPT. 16
Girls’ volleyball
- La Jolla High School at Lakeland tournament, TBA
- La Jolla Country Day vs. University City, 4:45 p.m.
Girls’ tennis
- La Jolla Country Day vs. Francis Parker, 3 p.m.
- The Bishop’s School vs. San Dieguito Academy, 3:15 p.m. Girls’ golf
- La Jolla Country Day vs. Horizon Christian (at Mission Trails G.C.), 3 p.m. Field hockey
- La Jolla High School at San Pasqual Academy, 3:30 p.m.
- The Bishop’s School vs. San Marcos, 3:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17
Girls’ volleyball
- La Jolla Country Day vs. Westview, 4:45 p.m.
- The Bishop’s School at Cathedral Catholic, 4:45 p.m. Girls’ golf
- La Jolla Country Day vs. Santa Fe Christian (at Encinitas Ranch G.C.), 3:50 p.m.
*All schedules are provided by the individual schools’ athletic departments. Please check with the schools for changes or cancellations.