PREP FOOTBALL : La Quinta Erases Memories With Air Takahashi

The Bart Recktenwald era at La Quinta High School is over, leaving new Aztec Coach Roger Takahashi to wonder what would become of his team’s offense without the running back who was a threat to find his way to the end zone nearly every time he touched the ball.

Recktenwald, who has since taken his all-purpose act to Orange Coast College, did virtually everything for La Quinta last season. His departure left a gaping hole in the Aztecs’ game plan. Takahashi, who became the Aztecs’ head coach after Joe Zeno resigned following last season, was the guy who had to fill it.

His solution, based on Friday night’s season opener against El Dorado, is to establish the passing game. Air Takahashi. Yardage in large chunks.

Senior quarterback Derek Debbs completed 17 of 30 passes for 375 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead La Quinta to a 35-14 win over El Dorado in front of 1,500 spectators in Bolsa Grande Stadium. After opening the game with five straight incompletions, Debbs settled down and began picking apart the Golden Hawk secondary.

When it was over, Debbs was a little surprised.

“Woooa,” he said when informed of his passing totals. “Well, the line . . . gave me a lot of time, and when you have time, you can do a lot of things.

“Last year, we were more of a running team with Bart. This year, we’re going to pass the ball more. I’m not saying we lack running ability, but when you’ve got it, why not use it?”

Debbs threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to David Harriger, who finished the game with 8 receptions for 162 yards, and a 50-yard scoring pass to Jim Recktenwald, on his way to a big passing night. Running back Alan Stevenson rushed for 93 yards in 12 carries, including a 35-yard touchdown run.

El Dorado scored first with a pass of its own on the game’s opening possession. Quarterback Doug Yates lofted a deep pass down the right sideline to Rick Bowen, who caught it near midfield and sprinted to the end zone to complete a 75-yard scoring play. Less than three minutes into the game, the Hawks had a 7-0 lead. But Debbs took over from there.

Well protected by the Aztecs’ offensive line (he was sacked only once), Debbs was 10 of 22 for 230 yards in the first half alone. After Darren Kerr scored his first of two touchdowns to tie it at 7-7 with 3:16 left in the first quarter, the Aztecs defense held to force an El Dorado punt.

A personal foul penalty on the Hawks gave La Quinta the ball on its 49 yard line. On the following play, Debbs found Harriger open on a deep crossing pattern and drilled a perfect pass that led to a 51-yard score. Brian Giuliano’s conversion kick gave La Quinta a 14-7 lead with 1:21 left in the first quarter. The Aztecs were never seriously threatened from there.

Yates finished the game with 8 completions in 22 attempts for 146 yards as the Hawks struggled to sustain an offense.