From Big Bear Lake in August to Escalon High on Saturday night in the California’s Central Valley, the 2019 football season has been quite a voyage for the La Jolla Vikings.
The Viking Shield — a 5-foot-wide red warrior battle shield on which every player wrote an inspirational word like “Honor” or “Trust” — was given life on a preseason team-bonding trip in Big Bear and has made the long journey along every stop.
On a chilly Saturday night in a small agricultural town of about 8,000 residents just north of Modesto, not even the Viking Shield was able to thwart the impressive offensive attack of Escalon, which rushed for 315 yards in the first half alone and cruised to a 52-21 victory over La Jolla in the state football Division 4-A championship game.
It is the Cougars’ second state title, following a 30-14 win over Madison in 2010.
La Jolla (10-5) was playing for its first state title after winning only its second San Diego Section banner two weeks ago. The Vikings were 3-7 last year.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” La Jolla coach Tyler Roach said. “They’re good — damn good at it.
“They were the better team tonight. I’m proud of my boys, but they’re a good football team. We had a heck of a year. I told the seniors, they set a new bar for La Jolla High School.
“It was a good season, and we’ll be back.”
Sophomore quarterback Jackson Stratton was 19-of-32 ing for 224 yards and two TDS. Makai Smith caught five es for 101 yards and a TD, and Luke Brunette added a 20-yard TD.
Escalon (14-1) took a 17-0 lead, getting a 34-yard field goal from Brian Barrietos, a 46-yard TD run by Luke Anderson and a 20-yard run by Colton Panero.
Anderson finished with 186 rushing yards. Panero and Kaden Christensen also topped 100 yards and all three have now eclipsed 1,000 for the season. Ty Harris was 8-of-8 ing for 147 yards.
The Vikings appeared to get back in the game midway through the second quarter on a 13-yard TD from Stratton to Makai Smith.
Moments later, Finn Rice recovered a fumble for the Vikings, but La Jolla’s ensuing drive stalled.
Escalon then got a 27-yard scoring run by Kaden Christensen to make it 23-7. The woes continued for La Jolla, which fumbled on its next possession, and Christensen soon scored on a 13-yard run with 0:16 left to make it 31-7 at the intermission.
The Vikings’ Luke Brunette hauled in a 20-yard TD from Stratton to make it 38-13 late in the third quarter. But the Cougars’ Ty Harris soon connected with Christensen on a 42-yard TD . La Jolla’s Jack Wiese scored on a 1-yard run to end the scoring.
La Jolla———————— 0 7 6 8 – 21
Escalon———————— 10 21 7 14 – 52
E – FG Brian Barrietos 34
E – Luke Anderson 46 run (Brian Barrietos kick)
E – Colton Panero 20 run (Brian Barrietos kick)
LJ – Makai Smith 13 from Jackson Stratton (Devin Bale kick)
E – Kaden Christensen 27 run (kick failed)
E – Kaden Christensen 13 run (Luke Anderson run)
E – Luke Anderson 24 run (Brian Barrietos kick)
LJ – Luke Brunette 20 from Jackson Stratton (kick failed)
E – Kaden Christensen 42 from Ty Harris (Brian Barrietos kick)
E – Luke Anderson 14 run (Brian Barrietos kick)
LJ – Jack Wiese 1 run (Diego Solis from Jackson Stratton)
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
