EL CAJON EL CAJON — In the pandemic-shortened spring season, Jax Leatherwood was an extremely tall sophomore who threw the ball decently, but he was “an average JV quarterback,” according to Scripps Ranch coach Marlon Gardinera.
Fast forward about six months, just past his 16th birthday, and Leatherwood has grown up (to 6-feet-8 now) and into one of the best quarterbacks in the county.
He proved it once again on Friday night as Scripps Ranch defeated gutsy Christian 41-23 in an Eastern League game at Granite Hills.
Leatherwood was 19-of-26 ing for 292 yards and two touchdowns as the No. 7-ranked Falcons improved to 7-0, 2-0, to beat the second-best team in the league in Christian (4-3, 0-1), which was collecting Top 10 votes when the Patriots started 3-0.
Scripps Ranch is listed No. 1 in the Power Rankings for the Division II playoffs, while the Patriots are No. 4.
“I have a lot of guys to throw to,” Leatherwood said. “They make it easy on me.”
Leatherwood’s season stats are eye-popping. He has now thrown for 2,110 yards (301 yards per game) and 29 touchdowns with no interceptions. Nine different players have caught TD es this year as the Falcons have outscored their opponents, 335-137.
“They’re quarterback is an absolute stud,” Christian coach Danny Mitchell said, ”and they have so many weapons. That’s the best team in our division by far.”
Jalen Shaw rushed 12 times for 108 yards and three TDs. Conor Lawlor caught five es for 85 yards, including a 31-yard TD to make it 34-17 just before halftime.
Christian’s Jake Davila wasn’t bad either. He completed 14 of 29 es for 250 yards and two TDs. Joey Merritt led all receivers with five catches for 131 yards, including TDs of 71 and 28 yards. Hunter Provience nabbed five balls for 125 yards.
“I’m seriously so proud of our kids for fighting back,” Mitchell said.
Scripps Ranch scored on its second and third plays of the game. Nijah Richards took a from Leatherwood behind the line and raced up the left sideline for an 86-yard TD to start things. After a three-and-out, Shaw raced up the middle for a 51-yard TD run.
Christian battled back as Provience hauled in a 49-yard from Davila to the 1-yard line, and Davila punched it in.
The Falcons came back with a 54-yard drive capped by a 2-yard TD from Shaw.
Christian made it 21-14 as Merritt hauled in a 71-yard from Davila.
A long kick return and a personal foul penalty gave Scripps the ball at the 28, and four plays later, Shaw scored his third TD from 2 yards.
Late in the half, Provience caught a 41-yard double from Merritt down to the 18, but the Patriots had to settle for a 36-yard field by Provience with 0:59 left. Plenty of time for the Falcons. Lawlor caught a 34-yard then a 31-yarder for the score and a 34-17 halftime lead.
As for Leatherwood, Gardinera said, “In of expectations, he came out of nowhere. His level of efficiency is almost unheard of. He has the highest football IQ I’ve ever witnessed from a high school player.
“And the cool thing about him is he is affable and fun and alive. You won’t catch him without a smile.”
Mitchell is a former quarterback who won a CIF title with Christian, played in college and professionally in Sweden and and has coached at every level in college.
“He’s a great player, and I’ve been around a lot of great quarterbacks,” Mitchell said. “He sees the whole field and makes great decisions. He looks like he’s 7-feet tall back there.”
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
EASTERN LEAGUE
SCRIPPS RANCH 41, CHRISTIAN 23
Scripps Ranch 14 20 7 0 — 41
Christian 0 17 6 0 — 23
SR — Richards 86 from Leatherwood (Rohrer kick)
SR — Shaw 51 run (Rohrer kick)
C — Davila 1 run ( failed)
SR — Shaw 2 run (Rohrer kick)
C — Merritt 71 from Davila (Davila run)
SR — Shaw 2 run (Rohrer kick)
C — FG Provience 36
SR — Lawlor 31 from Leatherwood (kick failed)
SR — Kaehey 2 run (Rohrer kick)
C — Merritt 28 from Davila ( failed)
