Oceanside-La Jolla: Teams Could Prove to Know the Score

Last season when Oceanside and La Jolla high schools met in a San Diego Section 2-A semifinal game, a defensive struggle was predicted.

Yet, Oceanside won, 42-27.

The situation could be similar when La Jolla (9-1) meets Oceanside (5-4-2) in a 2-A quarterfinal game tonight at 7:30 at Mesa College.

“They play a tough defense,” La Jolla Coach Gene Edwards said. “We think we play fairly good defense also.”

The Oceanside defense allowed 13.5 points per game through the regular season and shut out Coronado, 29-0, last week in the first round. Avocado League defensive player of the year, Sibian Fuimaono, a 5-foot 11-inch linebacker, leads the defense.

Also leading Oceanside is Time Sitala (6-4, 250), Rick Jones (6-4, 250) and Matt Tuisee (6-1, 200).

La Jolla, which had the third stingiest defense (7.0 points per game) during the regular season, is led by linebackers Brent Woodall (6-4, 220), Brad Raulston (6-2, 215) and Mike Huddleston (6-1, 191).

What may make this game similar to last season’s high-scoring affair is the presence of Oceanside’s sophomore quarterback Jerry Garrett (6-0, 175), who was too young to play on the varsity until he turned 15 this month.

“Ever since they got Garrett they’ve opened up their whole offense,” Edwards said. “He throws the ball very well and he’s a dangerous runner who they use on the sweep.”

La Jolla, which has won nine straight since losing its season opener to Mar Vista, 13-6, had the county’s third best offense averaging 29.6 points per game. Woodall, who averaged 91.5 rushing yards per game, is the leading offensive player. He is also ranked fifth in the county with 85 points.