La Jolla defeated Los Alamitos 41-22 to win the Southern California Varsity White Division this past weekend.

It was a big improvement from the La Jolla program.

Los Alamitos scored early to take a 7-0 lead, but tries from No. 8 Ryan Blackburn, wing Nathan Brenner, scrumhalf Thomas Evans, and flyhalf Dylan Caillouel to stake La Jolla to a 24-12 halftime lead. Blackburn was a strong runner for La Jolla, while Brenner did well to chase down a kick and exploit a fortuitous bounce.

Caillouel was a constant danger and extended the lead in the second half by intercepting a pass while Los Al was running a move from a free kick. That 80-meter run seemed to put La Jolla in control, and then Caillouel went 50 meters for another.

Los Al scored twice late, but by then La Jolla had the game sewn up. Los Alamitos, winners of Varsity White last year, are once again a very strong team. But La Jolla showed some smart play and athleticism and were deserved winners.

 “All season long, we have stressed playing fast and effectively on defense with the mindset of not only stopping the other team but getting possession of the ball,” said Zack Jacobs, who coaches the team along with Brock Davis, David Pool, and Bill Leversee.

Said DavisL “The La Jolla boys worked hard all season long and just played their hearts out in this championship match.”