Road cruel to Lightning

LA JOLLA — Vince Lombardi said it best: football is blocking and tackling.

Suffice to say, there was a whole lot more of both being done by La Jolla Country Day in the Torreys’ 55-0 nonleague demolition of visiting Sage Hill Friday night.

The hosts dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage, running the ball at will and providing airtight pocket protection for the passing game.

The offensive star of the night for the Torreys was junior running back Montell Allen, who rushed 16 times for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the attack, while quarterback Grayson Tucker was nine of 18 for 127 yards through the air.

Right off the opening kickoff, the Torreys began their onslaught.

Tucker hooked up with Kees Thompson down to the Lightning one-yard line on a 46-yard pass play followed by an Allen score to make it 7-0.

After that, things continued downhill for Sage Hill.

The first quarter ended with that same seven-point deficit following a defensive struggle with both teams exchanging possession of the ball.

La Jolla struck with four touchdowns in the second quarter, highlighted by a 60-yard punt return for a score by the quick, elusive Thompson.

This left the score 35-0 at the half.

The second half provided much of the same with two more touchdowns to go along with two field goals, one each from senior Zack Wolfenzon and Hunter Khalegi, who had just been promoted from the junior varsity team to provide the winning margin.

Sage Hill Coach Derek McIntyre was only left to shake his head.

“We ran into a good squad,” said McIntyre. “They’re a quality team.”

McIntyre acknowledged the losing battle his team had fought in the trenches all night.

“Both their offensive and defensive lines did a great job of creating a good push,” he said.

Still, he wasn’t about to panic as far as the big picture once Academy League play begins.

“We’re only going to get better playing teams like that,” McIntyre said. “We’re going to have a lot of opportunities when we get into league play.”

Unfortunately, the Lightning’s walking wounded, which already consisted of wide receiver Connor Gaughan, added to its ranks quarterback Randall Mycorn (shoulder) and wideout Craig Jackson (leg).

Still, McIntyre is focused on what his team can do in league play.

“The [league] games are huge,” he said. “So, these nonleague games are important to prepare us.”

McIntyre also cited the relative inexperience of his charges.

“We’re a young squad,” he said. “Definitely a work in progress.”

The Lightning’s offense was lead by Taylor Ross with 37 yards on the ground, Mycorn and his replacement, Colton Gyulay, who combined for 79 yards passing and Andy Multari, who caught two passes for 36 yards.

On defense, Adam Donchess and Dusty Orrantia were Sage Hill’s leading tacklers with nine apiece.

Orrantia also added an interception.