A struggling Point Loma Pointer offense found some new life last week in a 27-16 win over Steele Canyon High to spoil the host’s Homecoming night.

This was a night when new quarterback Henry Heuser threw four touchdown passes to four different teammates and five different defenders intercepted five Cougar passes.

The win improved the Pointers’ season record to 3-2 and marked the team’s first winning streak of the season after shutting out Eastlake 16-0 two weeks ago as they begin Western League play tonight when they visit Madison.

The Pointers started early against the Cougars when, on the first series of the game, Leo Sahd grabbed the first of those five interceptions and several plays later grabbed another pass, this time from Heuser in the right corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead with just 5:10 expired in the game.

After neither team moved the ball well, Heuser threw an interception that gave the Cougars the ball at the Pointer 22, but after several attempts to tie the score, Pointer Jack Leitz intercepted a Steele Canyon pass that led to the next Pointer score. From their own 10, the Pointers found themselves backed up to their own four-yard line as halftime neared.

Surprisingly, they covered that 96-yard distance in just two plays, with Heuser hitting Ben Kamen on a 51-yard pass play, and Kamen again to cover the remianing 44 yards for the touchdown and 14-0 lead just 3:49 before the break.

Steele Canyon continued to pass and found the end zone 50 seconds before halftime to get within six at 14-8.

A third quarter interception and shifty return by Matteo Correia left some observers wondering whether Correia could jump-start a Pointer running game averaging just 2.8 yards per carry through the first half of the season.

Correia’s pick did lead to the third Pointer score, this time a 19-yard strike to Romeo Carter who did a nice job getting his feet down before stepping out of bounds. Ryan Cleator’s third PAT upped the Pointer lead to 21-8 in the final minute of the third quarter.

But before the quarter ended, Cleator intercepted a pass on the first play of the Cougars’ drive, his long return being called back by an illegal block penalty. But his interception also led to another Pointer score.

Heuser’s 12-yard pass to Caden Williams ended Pointer scoring when the PAT attempt was moved back on a penalty and then blocked by the Cougars with 7:11 remaining in the game. Heuser finished 10 of 18 for 196 yards

The Cougars threatened at the Pointer 10-yard line again but Ian Metayer intercepted a desperate fourth-down pass, the fifth by Pointer defenders on the night.

With 21 seconds left on the scoreboard, the Cougars finally scored against Pointer reserves, the two-point conversion making the 27-16 score a final.

Metayer, a third-year varsity player who stands at 6 ft. 2 in. and weighs 210 pounds, is a team captain and defensive force. He is talking to several colleges but has not made a selection.

“Our defense came out strong tonight,” Metayer said, “And five interceptions to end the game is a great thing to look at. We have a strong schedule coming up and there’s always improvements to be made but today was a good showing for our defense.” Speaking to his teammates, Metayer said, “Hell of a job boys! We did great out there!”

Head coach Ryan Price saw growth in his team’s effort.

“Five interceptions, the defense played well again and our offense finally got some big chunk plays in our passing game and the running game got going in the second half. We learned from our previous instances where we’re up in the first half how to close out a game. It’s a great indication of growth and that’s what I’m really happy about.”

The Pointers now embark on their Western League schedule which includes No. 1 ranked Lincoln and No. 3 ranked Cathedral Catholic and a non-league game against longtime rival No. 10 La Jolla.

Tonight’s foe is a Madison team undergoing an uncharacteristic difficult season. A longtime Pointer nemesis, the Warhawks are currently 1-4 and ranked 27th in the San Diego CIF Section after playing tough opponents. They also defeated Steele Canyon 35-21 on Aug. 30.

EXTRA POINTS

The Pointer JV is 4-1 after wins over Eastlake (49-0) and Steele Canyon (14-6). The freshman team is  also 4-1 after defeating Eastlake (27-8) and Steele Canyon (14-7).

The Pointers are currently ranked No. 23 in the CIF San Diego Section and have scored 88 points while giving up 83..

Community members are reminded no unsupervised elementary and middle school students will be admitted to remaining Pointer home games Oct. 18 and Nov. 1. They must remain seated with a parent or adult chaperone except when using the restroom or purchasing from the Chick-fil-A concession.

Top photo: Running back Braden Lane (23) picks up part of the 65 yards he gained in the Pointers’ 27-16 win at Steele Canyon last week. Photos by Scott Hopkins