Santa Fe Christian beats Country Day, improves record to 9-0

by Clark Fahrenthold

LA JOLLA — It started with a bang for La Jolla Country Day.

On a third and 13 from their own 29-yard line, Jett Astephan hit Hesh Hertz in stride down the far sideline for a 69-yard touchdown.

What at the time appeared to be a spark for the Torreys would ultimately serve as a footnote in what ended up being a Santa Fe Christian High School 42-7 blowout victory over La Jolla Country Day.

The win pushed Santa Fe Christian’s record to 9-0 and earned head coach Jon Wallace his 99th career victory.

“They’re gritty. They’re a really tough group,” Wallace said. “These guys have never blinked, never backed down. The upper-class men have taken the reins, and the young guys have followed them. They play together. It’s been fun to coach them.”

Down 7-0, Santa Fe Christian responded by scoring 42 unanswered points.

The Eagles hit on a number of explosive plays in the first half. For their opening score, Santa Fe Christian leaned on the ground game: Senior Brody Caffrey breaking free for a 39-yard rushing touchdown that the game at 7-7.

Up 14-7 with 5:38 to play in the half, the Eagles opened up the playbook.

On a second down from their 34-yard line, quarterback Dax Labrum tossed to running back Bradan Scott. Rather than turn upfield, the senior uncorked a bomb and connected with wideout Cruz Campbell, who made a juggling catch for a 66-yard touchdown.

“I was at an Ivy League camp this summer, and I played QB at one of them just as a joke. But after that, my coaches told me they were going to put in a play for me,” Scott said. “The play got called, and I was a little nervous. I had to take the glove off without the defense noticing, but I don’t think I could have thrown a better ball, and Cruz made a great catch."

Santa Fe Christian kept their foot firmly on the gas in the second half. Labrum capped their first drive with an easy three-yard touchdown toss to tight end Jarius Bolden, pushing Santa Fe Christian ahead 28-7.

For Labrum, it marked his 23rd touchdown pass of the season.

“Dax is so calm and in total command of the offense,” Wallace said. “Whatever happens, he knows where his outlets are and what his reads are. He is never panicked.”

Minutes later, Eagles running back Brady Berg iced the game away. Scoring on a three-yard rushing touchdown—his second of the game— making it a 35-7 game. Along with his two rushing scores, Berg would log an interception in the fourth.

“As a team, we preach finishing our runs,” Berg said. “We say that we set the tone. We’re gonna go run through people. Run hard, finish your runs, and good things will happen.”