Point Loma scores on first four drives, cruises past Morse 42-12 in City League opener

(Lead photo by Steven Silva)

POINT LOMA, Calif. – Two seasons ago, Point Loma cancelled their football season after playing just one regular season game. They cited injuries and a lack of players in the program during head coach Joel Allen’s first season in charge.

Times have changed.

On Friday night, the Pointers scored on each of their first four possessions and used two interceptions to take down Morse, 42-12, in a City League battle. Point Loma’s 6-1 start is their best since the 2014 season.

Below are three takeaways from the game.

EXCELLENT FIELD POSITION KICKSTARTS THE POINTERS

Point Loma's first possession on Friday night began at their own 45-yard line. They proceeded to go on a drive of nearly six minutes to score the opening points of the game.

The Pointers would then score touchdowns on each of their next three possessions, all starting from their own 41-yard line or better.

Point Loma stuck to the usual script against Morse with a heavy dose of their rushing attack. It was senior Chase Lowary whose ninth touchdown of the season gave the Pointers the opening lead. The Pointers went to the air on their next two possessions, both times finding junior Aaron Lee for touchdowns of 21 and 37 yards.

“Our running backs are able to read holes a lot better than it used to be,” Senior captain and two-way starter Chase Lowary said. “Our chemistry with our line and knowing which way they’re gonna move and predict where the hole is gonna be.”

Armed with a 21-6 lead, Point Loma forced Morse into a three and out and immediately pounced. On the first play from scrimmage, Cameron Lewis took the handoff and went 56 yards for a touchdown to give the Pointers a three-touchdown lead midway through the second quarter.

POINT LOMA DEFENSE LOCKS IN

After allowing a touchdown on the first Morse possession of the game, Point Loma was able to slow down the Tigers’ offense that entered Friday averaging over 43 points per game.

“We have a super strong front,” Lowary said. “They keep me and my other inside backer free so we can roam and make our plays.”

Morse’s second possession ended almost immediately when Brady Allen intercepted a pass on the first play of the drive.

Senior defensive back Emmett Jacobson got into the action in the third quarter, stepping in front of a Morse pass for his sixth interception of the season, returning it 25 yards for a touchdown that extended Point Loma’s lead to 42-6.

“Our defensive coordinator, Coach Diaz, does a great job preparing the kids so we know what we’re gonna see or at least as much as we can,” Point Loma head coach Joel Allen said. “He puts the kids in the right spot to be successful.”

Friday’s win marked the sixth time in seven games that the Pointers have allowed 16 points or less this season. That will be put to the challenge with next week’s trip to University City.

POINTERS CLIMBING THE LADDER IN DIVISION 3

Point Loma, who has not captured a San Diego Section football championship since the 1991 season, continues to climb the Division 3 power rankings.

The Pointers entered Friday as the three-seed with a rating of 44.00 and will earn 46 points for beating Morse (5-3), further pushing them up the rankings.

“I think the guys have a chip on their shoulder,” Allen said. “They know not to believe the hype and we’re one week at a time, we’re 1-0 tonight and tomorrow we’re 0-0 again.”

Up next in City League play is a battle with University City. The Centurions beat Canyon Hills 71-6 on Friday night to maintain a half-game lead over Point Loma.

Also on the line in next week’s matchup is potential seeding in the Division 3 playoffs. The Centurions currently sit atop the power rankings with only Imperial separating the two teams.

“Just hardnose, grit football,” Lowary said. “We just have that chip on our shoulder, we’re looking to win and make a statement for our names that hasn’t been made in a long time.”