High Schools Scene & Heard: 2 QBs better than 1 at Point Loma

Ninety minutes before kickoff against San Diego High School on Friday, Point Loma quarterbacks Henry Heuser and Ryder Watson sat in the front-row cement stands at Balboa Stadium.

With airplanes roaring overhead as they descended into Lindbergh Field, you had to lean close to hear the QBs.

Point Loma came into the game 5-0, the Pointers’ first perfect start since 2005.

It’s been said that if a football team relies on two quarterbacks, it really doesn’t have one. The thinking is that if one stood out, he’d be the starter.

But Heuser, a senior, and Watson, a junior, are burying that myth. With the two-headed monster behind center, Point Loma came in averaging 29.4 points per game. Heuser, a pocket passer, had thrown for 555 yards. Watson, more dangerous on his feet, had thrown for 375.

Both had tossed seven touchdown passes, with one interception.

The quarterbacks say they push and support each other every day in practices and games.

“Honestly,” said Heuser, “if anything, I think it benefits the team. Defenses have to plan on both of us.”

“Credit to the two guys,” said PL coach Ryan Price. “They handle it well. More than anything, we maximize each guy’s skill.”

The Pointers beat the Cavers 31-13.

Ode to the past

Point Loma’s memorable start is coming in the program’s 100th season. Price said he’s heard from numerous alums expressing their pride. One of the most famous Pointers, La’Roi Glover, spoke at the team dinner the night before its game against rival La Jolla.

Glover played at San Diego State and logged 13 years in the NFL as a defensive tackle, leading the league with 17 sacks in 2000 with the Saints. Glover is now an assistant coach at the University of San Diego.

“He talked about what it was like to play for coach (Bennie) Edens, the fundamentals he learned and how those stayed with him,” said Price.

History lesson

From 1955 to 2019, a span of 65 seasons, Point Loma employed just two head coaches: Edens (1955-1997) and Mike Hastings (1998-2019). The late Edens is the sixth-winningest coach in San Diego Section history with a 238-173-17 record.  Hastings is the section’s 19th-winningest coach at 150-105-3.

A girl’s game

Arguably no school boasts a richer football history than San Diego High. Among the most famous Cavers to slip on a helmet are brothers Art and Charlie Powell, Ezell Singleton, Cotton Warburton and Deron Johnson.

Another player made her mark in Cavers football history. In a 1988 game against St. Augustine, Mia Labovitz kicked a 40-yard field goal, giving the Cavers a 3-0 win against the all-boys Saints. It was the Cavers’ only win in a 1-8-1 season.

Labovitz kicked for the Cavers for two seasons. The 40-yarder was the longest field goal of her career.  “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson considered inviting Labovitz as a guest.

Two-way star

In Point Loma’s season-opening 42-24 win over Del Norte, Romeo Carter caught seven passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

“Since then,” said Price, “everyone has been doubling and triple-teaming him.”

Carter compiled 24 catches for 422 yards and nine TDs heading into Friday’s game. He had another touchdown run and returned two interceptions for scores against San Diego High.

Of the 6-foot-3, 191-pound Carter, Price said: “His athleticism and length are what make him special. And he’s just a great kid. He’s hard working, humble, doesn’t get complacent and he’s thoughtful of others.”

Carter has committed to Boise State as a safety.

By the numbers

5: In Point Loma’s 100 seasons, the Pointers have started 5-0 just five times.

134: San Diego High is in its 134th season of football,

34: Years since Point Loma won its last section title (1991).

Food review

Opted for the grilled cheeseburger. Delicious. Hot off the grill. Fresh bun, cheese perfectly melted. Onion, tomato, pickles, secret sauce. Could not have been better.

Five belches on the U-T five-belch meter.