La Quinta Cashes In on 2 Big Plays

With a junior quarterback who is still learning the ropes and an offensive line that has yet to jell, La Quinta High School Coach Roger Takahashi has a simple philosophy--the big play.

Not exactly a novel idea, but something to be hoped for.

La Quinta came up with two big plays Saturday night, and they were enough for the Aztecs to beat Western, 21-12, in front of 500 at Bolsa Grande High.

“Our offense is so inconsistent right now that every big play we can get is important,” Takahashi said. “We look for them.”

Takahashi didn’t have to wait long--8 seconds to be exact.

Western’s Kevin Byun fielded the opening kickoff on the 5-yard line and returned it 13 yards, where he was leveled by La Quinta’s Joe Lamaestra. At that point, Byun and the football went their separate ways.

La Quinta’s Saul Rodriguez scooped up the fumble and went 18 yards for a touchdown. Matt Logan’s extra point gave the Aztecs (2-1) an early 7-0 lead.

“It’s not a good situation when you’re playing catch-up after the first 10 seconds,” Western Coach Jim Howell said.

The Aztecs did manage to sustain one drive, going 46 yards in 7 plays for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.

Tailback Tom Cherms did most of the work with 4 carries for 20 yards. But quarterback Trent Julian did complete a 15-yard pass to Wes Kollar to give the Aztecs a first down on the Western 13. Two plays later, Julian swept left and cut inside Andy Delatorre’s block for a 5-yard touchdown run.

The Pioneers (1-2) pulled to within 14-6 in the third quarter on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Miles Roberson to Gilbert Brito.

But Cherms gave the Aztecs their second big play and some breathing room with a 41-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Cherms finished with 129 yards in 20 carries.

“That’s what I’ve been looking for Tom to do all year,” Takahashi said. “With his speed, he can break some big runs for us and take pressure off the offense.”

Gary Fernandez, who had 102 yards rushing, scored on a 2-yard run for Western late in the game.