Point Loma’s Pointers evened their season record last Friday night when players gave new head coach Ryan Price his first win.

On Sept. 6, an unusually early Homecoming takes place as Pointer alums are welcomed back to campus to renew friendships and enjoy the game against Rancho Bernardo with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

In the season opener against Del Norte, the Pointer offense struggled to gain yardage and first downs which kept the defense on the field giving the Nighthawks a big advantage in time of possession. But against the Mustangs last week the Pointer offense showed increased knowledge of the new system and put up two touchdowns of their own.

“The boys worked very hard after last week. We fought through a tough week of practice and it felt great to bounce back,” Price said on Bennie Edens Field after a 21-10 victory over Otay Ranch.

The Mustangs also did their part to jump-start the Pointers when, on their first possession, the center snapped the ball when the quarterback wasn’t looking, the ball rolling to the goal line. Numerous Pointers rushed to the ball but it was junior Braeden Bartocci who pounced on it. Sophomore Ryan Cleator’s first of three PATs was good and the Dogs took a 7-0 lead just four minutes after the kickoff.

The Mustangs struck next after intercepting a Pointer pass that was returned for 40 yards to the Pointer five-yard line. They scored with 8:59 left in the second quarter to tie the game at seven.

The Pointer offense was still sputtering in the second quarter, even losing a fumble at one point. But the Mustangs kept the Dogs in the game, playing an undisciplined style that resulted in four 15-yard personal four penalties before halftime including roughing the passer, roughing the kicker, and unsportsmanlike conduct.

But it was a fired-up Pointer team that emerged from the halftime break.

Sophomore starting QB Ryder Watson completed several passes, one to senior Dylan Upjohn and the other to senior Canon Ogden that took his team inside the Mustang five-yard line. Several plays later, Ogden followed blockers the last several yards to score and boost the Pointer lead to 14-7 with 6:26 left in the third quarter.

The Mustangs answered about three minutes later with a field goal following a long pass completion that ended near the Pointer goal making it a 14-10 game.

The Dogs finished scoring on their next possession as Watson completed passes with greater consistency. The scoring pass went to Upjohn who broke tackle attempts and sprinted to the end zone on a 37-yard play with just over one minute remaining in a busy third quarter.

For the game, Watson connected on 19 of 34 passes for a completion rate of .576 and 264 total yards. His favorite target was Upjohn who snatched 10 throws for 160 yards. Carter caught six for 73 yards and junior Ryan Patterson grabbed two for 24 yards, each with a 22-yard catch.

The Pointers rushed 34 times for 75 total yards, a 2.2-yard average. Ogden led with 18 carries for 55 yards, a long of 18 yards, and his touchdown run.

Price was again happy with his defense.

“They are very physical, they attack, they make plays, and get after the ball,” Price explained. “Even when we get put in bad situations they still don’t let the other team score. They’ve been the difference in keeping the games close.”

The Pointers are not releasing defensive stats.

“Offensively, we kind of put it together in the second half tonight,” Price said. “Offense usually lags behind the defense when putting in a new scheme but I hope (the improvement) rolls into next week.”

Friday‘s opponent, Rancho Bernardo, will be the toughest test to date on the Pointer schedule. The Broncos are ranked No. 12 in the county with the Dogs currently sitting in the No. 26 position. The Broncos are 2-0 after wins over Poway (13-10) and San Pasqual (41-7). 

Following Friday‘s battle, the Pointers travel to Eastlake in Chula Vista for a rare Thursday game (Sept. 19) and then to Steele Canyon for a Sept. 27 match. 

EXTRA POINTS

The freshman Dogs are 2-0 after wins over Del Norte (14-7) and Otay Ranch (28-14). The junior varsity is 1-1 after a loss to Del Norte (17-13) and a win over Otay Ranch (6-0).

The Pointers were without several key players who were injured against Otay Ranch. At least one is expected back tonight while others may miss additional games.

The Homecoming dance is on Sept. 7 from 7-10 p.m. downtown at NOVA SD. Tickets are $60 per person or $40 with an ASB discount. A “spirit bundle” package is being offered to students at $130, which includes a dance ticket, yearbook, and ASB card, a $45 discount.