HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Punt Return Lifts University, 10-3

La Jolla High and University were tied at 3 halfway through the fourth quarter of their football game at Mesa College Friday night.

Dan Hall, University’s punt returner, stood at his 25 waiting for the ball. Earlier he had dropped a punt, which was recovered by La Jolla. This time, he had a feeling it would be different.

It was much different. He caught the ball, sprinted to his right to avoid five La Jolla defenders and raced down the sideline for a touchdown.

And that gave University at 10-3 victory. University (5-1, 1-0) now has a decisive head start in the City West race.

“I told myself that I was going to return it (for a touchdown),” Hall said. “I had no doubt in my mind. We needed a big play to win the game. I had to come back from that fumble.”

Last year, La Jolla (5-1, 0-1) won this game to give them the league championship. University finished second. But neither coach thinks Friday’s result meant the race was over.

“Not at all,” said Ron Hamamoto, University’s coach. “Anyone in our league can beat anyone.”

Besides, La Jolla Coach Gene Edwards pointed out, it was only the opener.

“You don’t win the league on just one ballgame,” he said.

This wasn’t a game either quarterback is likely to circle in his high school yearbook. La Jolla’s Fred De La Vega was intercepted 5 times, twice by linebacker Greg Hardiman, and finished 3 of 13 for 11 yards.

And the county’s leading passer, Anthony Massa, was intercepted 3 times and finished 9 of 23 for 94 yards. La Jolla’s defense, led by returning all-league linebacker Mike Huddleston, kept him on the run all night.

University’s Tom Tate opened the scoring with 1:20 remaining in the first half, kicking a 28-yard field goal. La Jolla’s Mike Wollaeger tied the game with a 37-yard field goal with 1:02 remaining in the third.