Look Alikes Meet in 2-A Semifinal : La Jolla, San Marcos Match Ball-Control Running Games

The problem with the San Marcos and La Jolla high school football teams is not trying to figure them out.

It is trying to tell them apart.

Each team relies on a ball-control offense that features a powerful running game and a quarterback who can throw the ball when he is asked to, which is not very often. Each has a stingy defense that opposing coaches say can dominate a game.

And neither La Jolla Coach Gene Edwards nor San Marcos’ Ken Broach will change much when the teams play in tonight’s San Diego Section 2-A semifinal at Mesa College at 7:30.

“I think he knows what we are going to do,” Broach said of Edwards. “At least we are not going to fool each other.”

Said Edwards: “When you get into the playoffs, you can’t forget what got you there.”

As it turns out, pretty much the same thing got San Marcos (6-4-2) and La Jolla (10-1) to the semifinals.

Tailback Brent Woodall and fullback Eric Brown have been La Jolla’s main offensive weapons all season.

Last week’s 38-24 victory over Oceanside was typical. Woodall rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown. Brown, who weighs 250 pounds, led the way when Woodall ran off tackle, which was most of the time.

San Marcos’ 24-9 win over El Capitan was typical, too. Led by fullback Jess Berelleza and halfbacks Vaughn Webb and Scott Ashby, the offense used 15 minutes 50 seconds on its first two drives.

But both teams have quarterback who can be dangerous when they get the chance. La Jolla’s John Tribolet rushed for one touchdown and threw a 27-yard scoring pass to tight end Brad Raulston last week. Rick Ebert threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Travis Beasley and a two-point conversion to Webb last week.

Those offenses will face tough defenses. La Jolla’s was the third-best in the county during the regular season, giving up an average of seven points per game. San Marcos’ gave up 12.1 points a game.

Edwards hinted that his team might throw the ball more often tonight because San Marcos is tough against the run. Don’t expect San Marcos to pass more, however.

“We don’t do well when we throw the ball a lot,” Broach said.

Broach said one difference between the teams could change the outcome.

La Jolla’s line averages about 230 pounds. Matt Herr is San Marcos’ biggest player at 230. The rest of the San Marcos linemen average about 180 pounds.

“They’re huge,” Broach said. “They don’t seem to do anything wrong. I’m scared to death to play them.”

If Broach’s fear is actual, it must be the fear of facing oneself.