Point Loma picks off San Diego High on the way to 31-13 win

by Clark Fahrenthold

Point Loma High School entered Friday night with its first 5-0 start since the 2005 season. Over the last three weeks, they had outscored their opponents 111-10.

Against a 4-1 San Diego Cavers team, the Pointers’ defense was once again dominant. Led by a four-interception evening from safety Owen Ice, Point Loma coasted to an Eastern League road victory by the final of 31-13.

“This is a group that really understands it’s just one game at a time and they understand the legacy and tradition of the school they play at,” said Point Loma coach Ryan Price. “The last two games, the way we faced adversity and the way the guys responded, is what I’m most proud of.”

San Diego opened Friday’s game with an impressive six-play scoring drive, capped by an easy 5-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Harris to Xavier Wilson. With 1:49 left in the half, the Cavers duo connected once again: Facing fourth-and-goal from the 1, Harris hit Wilson on a quick screen a score, pushing the Cavers’ lead to 13-3.

Before the half’s end, though, Point Loma made it a one-score game. Quarterback Ryder Watson calling his own numbers for a 12-yard rushing touchdown, making it just a 13-10 San Diego at the half.

“We got a good feeling for what they were trying to do in the first half and made some adjustments,” Price said, “We went back to our bread and butter and our guys did their job in the second half.”

Returning from the break, Point Loma’s defense once again took over. Over the final 24 minutesof action, Point Loma’s secondary tallied a combined five interceptions.

Sophomore defensive back Ryan Cleator logged two third-quarter interceptions. The second of which he returned 60 yards for a pick-six. Handing the Pointers the 17-13 lead. Point Loma’s first lead of the evening and the first of its eventual 21 unanswered second-half points.

“I feel like it all stems from great communication from the staff and the players,” said Point Loma cornerback Ryan Cleator, “We’ve had that play on the install all week. I saw it right from the jump, broke on it, and it just felt great running down the field.”

On the next three Cavers’ possessions, Ice — who had already recorded one interception in the first half — managed to come down with three consecutive interceptions. The last two set up touchdown passes of 3 and 31 yards from Watson to Wade Mettler and Romeo Carter.

For Ice, 2025 continues to be a remarkable comeback season. After tearing his ACL in 2024, he’s returned to the Pointers’ secondary as one of its biggest playmakers. He has intercepted six passes in the last two weeks.

“I had a coach telling me, ‘You might as well go get one more,’ in between each possession,” Ice said. “It’s great to be 6-0, and coming back from the knee, I am just thankful for everyone who helped me get it back to full strength.”