There's something Hokie about Ayala football
Granted, I've only seen Ayala play once during its resurgence from 0-10 in 2006 to a 7-4 playoff team in 2007. (It's 3-1 in 2008)
Granted, that time was two weeks ago. So, take this for what it's worth: I'm ready to label them the Virginia Tech of the Inland Empire.
I'm sure the Ayala offense of last season was much different with QB Matt Baca - widely regarded as a D-I caliber player before settling on DI-AA Northern Colorado - than with junior Dylan Lada quarterbacking the variation of the wing-T. In Ayala's 26-21 win over Alta Loma Friday, there wasn't much varation - it looked like a plain ole' wing-T (Lada completed 2 passes, the one for positive yardage was an 84-yard swing pass for a TD).
But the Bulldogs rode to victory something reminicent of the Beamer ball that has developed a reputation in Blacksburg, Va. They blocked two kicks, returning one for a score Alta Loma coach John Kuleika termed the difference in the game.
Courtney Samuel's 28-yard blocked punt return for a TD gave Ayala a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. The Bulldogs nearly took a blocked 50-yard field goal attempt to the house but David Quiroga couldn't get a handle on the bouncing ball with nobody in between him and the Alta Loma goaline as time expired on the first half.
Of course, a Beamer ball reputation isn't developed in one showing.
Ayala blocked the potential game-winning field goal with 32 seconds to play in its 19-10 win over crosstown rival Chino Hills last season and Derek Brandon returned it 69 yards for a game-sealing touchdown.
One game prior, an onside kick recovery aided a 19-point comeback in a 34-33 win over Damien last season that included 14 points in the final 27 seconds.
Having been to just one game in the last season and-a-half, I'm sure there are more than a few examples I'm missing here. But even I know enough to have spotted a trend.
About Clay
Clay Fowler has been covering high school sports for six years in California and Texas. He was born in Dallas, attended the University of Texas and worked in Central Texas before joining the Daily Bulletin staff in 2006.
Email Clay here
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