Vista, Lincoln Don’t Waste Time : 3-A Division : Panthers Put Helix in a Fog With 35-7 Win

No need for fog when your quarterback and tailback are a mere blur to opposing defenses on the clearest of evenings.

Before Vista High School’s 35-7 victory over Helix in the 3-A championship Saturday night at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, Vista fans and Coach Dick Haines were cheering for fog.

That’s right. The fans wearing Vista red wanted to bring on the mist that had blanketed the stadium for the preceding 2-A game.

“We were worried when the fog was clearing because we had only won in the fog,” Haines said.

Historians will note that the Panthers beat Helix, 34-16, on a very foggy night to win the 1981 3-A title game. And Vista beat Patrick Henry 32-0 on a foggy evening to capture the 1974 2-A title.

So much for trends.

On a relatively clear night, a crowd of 14,732 saw Vista complete a 13-0 season and avenge last year’s loss in the championship game to Sweetwater. Haines’ crew has won 22 of its last 23 games, and has defeated opponents by at least 21 points in 12 of 13 games this season.

Vista led 7-0 after one quarter, 21-0 at halftime, and 28-0 after three quarters.

Panther quarterback Sal Aunese gained 136 yards on 12 carries and scored twice. He also completed 2 of 6 passes for 68 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown pass play to Todd Baird. Tailback Roger Price gained 135 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown. The statistics were as one-sided as the game.

Vista outgained Helix, 368 yards to 8 yards on the ground. Vista had 20 first downs to 13 for Helix, and Helix had 4 turnovers to 1 for Vista.

Helix quarterback Jeff Hammerschmidt completed 13 of 26 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown, but his offense was not able to control the ball the way it had a week ago against Sweetwater.

Helix (11-2) never got untracked offensively against a quick and hard-hitting Vista defense. Their only score came on a four-yard pass from Hammerschmidt to Jeff Exum with 5:42 to play in the game. By then, Vista led 35-7.

The game was decided early on.

On the opening kickoff, Hammerschmidt recovered his own squib on-side kick at the Vista 47-yard line. Helix moved to the Vista 23 before running back Eric Arcio was stopped one yard short on a fourth-and-two blast through right tackle.

Price said, “When the offense got out there, we knew we really had to do our job. Our offensive line did the type of great job they have done the past 13 weeks.”

It didn’t take Vista long to get on the scoreboard.

On third and six from its own 40-yard line, Aunese found wide receiver Todd Baird open behind the Helix secondary.

Known for its running attack, Vista will throw in a big pass every now and then. The scoring pass is called “the 241 countertrap pass touchdown Todd Baird.” It is the same play Vista scored on in its playoff win over Mira Mesa.

Baird took Aunese’s pass in stride at the Helix 20-yard line and raced down the right sideline to give Vista a 6-0 lead. Clint Estremo added the extra point.

Vista held Helix and quickly marched 68 yards on seven consecutive running plays. Price gained 53 yards on 5 carries to set up Brett Smith’s nine-yard run up the middle. Estremo’s extra point made it 14-0 with 10:57 to play in the first half.

The most prolific offense in the county this season was putting on an exhibition.

Following a Vista timeout, Aunese raced 49 yards on a second-and-12 to cap a five-play, 72-yard drive. Aunese burst up the middle, quickly got to the outside and ran untouched down the right sideline. Estremo’s extra point made it 21-0.

Showing that he can run equally well along either sideline, Aunese scored on a 35-yard run down the left sideline late in the third quarter.

Price added a two-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

By that point, Vista had shown it was clearly the best 3-A team in the county this season. Fog or no fog.