Julian Runs La Quinta Past Los Amigos

Twenty-five years ago, Tom Julian of Garden Grove High School was one of the top running backs and sprinters in Orange County. Two decades later, his youngest son, Trent, is following in his father’s footsteps.

Trent Julian rushed for 132 yards in 13 carries and caught six passes for 62 yards to lead La Quinta High School to a 37-3 victory over Los Amigos Thursday night at Bolsa Grande High.

The victory moved La Quinta (5-4 overall, 4-2 in league play) a half game ahead of Bolsa Grande, Kennedy and Rancho Alamitos in the race for second place in the eight-team league. Los Amigos is 2-7, 1-5.

Julian utilized his exceptional cutting ability to repeatedly burn Los Amigos for long gains, but he scored only once. La Quinta intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles, setting up an easy score in the second quarter and two in the third to put the game away.

Julian was impressive considering torn cartilage in his right knee has reduced his speed and forced him to miss La Quinta’s opening three games.

“He’s running at about 85% capacity,” said Roger Takahashi, La Quinta’s coach. “If he was running with the speed he had this summer, he’d really be something.”

Julian injured the knee in La Quinta’s night scrimmage before its season opener against Westminster and didn’t play until midway through La Quinta’s league opener against Santiago three weeks later.

“The doctors think he might have injured his knee a long time ago and then aggravated it in the scrimmage,” Takahashi said. “He’s going to need arthroscopic surgery after the season, or he might wait until after basketball season.”

Equally impressive for La Quinta was quarterback Richard Weaver. Weaver completed 11 of 15 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Weaver connected with wide receiver Jason Cherms on a seven-yard scoring play and teamed with tight end Todd Harvey on an 11-yard touchdown pass as La Quinta opened a 14-3 lead in the second quarter and never looked back.

The victory avenged a 13-10 loss to Los Amigos last season that kept La Quinta from advancing to the playoffs.