Point Loma picks off 4 passes on the way to blowout win over rival La Jolla

POINT LOMA — The origin of “The Battle for the Shoe” between Point Loma and La Jolla High School dates back 99 years.

In that time, the two rivals have shared the field north of 70 times since 1926. In recent seasons, the rivalry has been a dead heat, with each program claiming two victories in the last fourmeetings.

Not this year. Spearheaded by a four-touchdown performance from Romeo Carter and 37 unanswered points, Point Loma clobbered its crosstown rival 37-7. The Pointers improved to 5-0 while keeping the rivalry trophy for another year.

“We talked all week about how this one meant a lot to us, and meant a lot to the community,” said Point Loma coach Ryan Price. “Keeping ‘The Shoe’ home is important, and it matters to this school. This group wants it.”

All season, Point Loma has utilized a two-quarterback system, splitting drives between senior Henry Heuser and junior Ryder Watson. Each quarterback connected for a first-half touchdown on Friday.

Heuser opened the scoring for the Pointers, connecting with wideout Romeo Carter on a 15-yard score to tie the game at 7-7.

Two drives later, Ryder Watson hit Wade Mettler on a seam route for a 55-yard touchdown, putting Point Loma ahead 14-7.

“Henry and I feed off each other every day in practice,” said Point Loma quarterback Ryder Watson. “We’re always competing. It’s fun that we can both go out here and show out.

After staying relatively quiet in the first half, Romeo Carter took over the game for Point Loma in the second half. On the Pointers’ opening drive of the half, Watson lofted a go-ball to the far sideline.Carter, who found himself in one-on-one coverage, went airborne, hauling in the pass one-handed for a 31-yard touchdown.

“My only thought on that ball is just put it where he can get it,” said Watson.

“You don’t get many chances 1-on-1, so when you get those opportunities you have to make that play,” siad  Point Loma wide receiver and safety Romeo Carter.”I wanted to make the student sectionand everyone happy, so I had to make that play.”

On the ensuing La Jolla possession, Carter stepped in front of a pass from Vikings quarterback Hudson Smith, returning it 55 yards for a pick-six.

After a Pointers’ kickoff, Carter once again flashed the ball-hawking skills. He stepped in front of another pass, returning it 40 yards for his second pick-six in less than two minutes.

Point Loma logged a total of four interceptions in the win. Over their last four weeks of action, the Pointers’ defense has allowed a combined 17 points.

“We have a lot of returners on defense, and those kids took some lumps last year, grew a lot, and it shows,” said Price. “As a head coach and defensive coordinator, I couldn’t be more proud of theirgrowth.”