Army-Navy opens Coastal League play with blowout win over Torreys

by John Maffei

LA JOLLA — For the second season in a row, interceptions proved to be the difference.

La Jolla Country Day School threw six interceptions last season and lost by a point to Army-Navy Academy.

Friday night, Army-Navy picked off four Torreys passes, and the outcome wasn’t close.

The Warriors opened Coastal League play with a 37-9 win.

“League is what matters,” said Army-Navy coach Nehemiah Brunson. “And to beat Country Day two years in a row is huge for our program. These kids believe. They have grit and determination.”

Army-Navy’s (5-0, 1-0) Landon Schrom opened the game with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and La Jolla Country Day (1-4, 0-1) was playing catch up.

Schrom had touchdown catches of 37 and 38 yards in the first half. Both cane one play after Army-Navy interception, one by Jacob Eastley, the second by Royce Fielder.

Army-Navy lineman Lincoln Brunson tipped a ball at the line of scrimmage and came down with the interception, setting up a nine-play, 44-yard drive that ended in a 4-yard TD run by Jonah Tua.

“That’s the best, a lineman’s dream,” said Lincoln Brunson, the son of the coach, “I batted the ball up, looked up, and there it was.”

Brunson is a two-way player. He’s the center on offense and handles all the long snaps on special teams. He has been the starting center since his freshman season. And plays nose tackle on defense.

“I like defense better because I get to hit people, but my future is on offense,” Lincoln Brunson said. “This was a big win. We’re starting to click. We push each other.”

The Warriors pushed the lead to 37-3 on their first possession of the first half after Brunson sacked Country Day quarterback Jett Astephen, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Frank Graham

Four plays later, Jonah Tua banged into the end zone from the 1.

Brunson’s hit forced Astephen out of the game. Marvin Jones III, a receiver, came in to play quarterback and gave the Torreys a spark.

He rushed 14 times for 67 yards and a touchdown. He completed 5 of 15 passes for 59 yards and an interception.

Quentin Cesaire had seven catches for 77 yards for the Torreys while Keenan Ward rushed 19 times for 97 yards.Army-Navy used eight ballcarriers and rushed for 86 yards,

Bogard completed 13 of 15 passes for 218 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His only mistake was a first-quarter interception.

Schrom had six catches for 106 yards and two TDs. Jacob Estley caught four passes for 58 yards and rushed for 19.

Troy Samoa had four receptions for 57 yards.