Frye’s Late TD Run Carries La Jolla Past Christian, 13-7

LA JOLLA —  The Christian-La Jolla score was 7-7 with 7:18 to play Saturday, and La Jolla Coach Gene Edwards was telling himself that he’d be happy to get out of the game with a tie.

As it turned out, he didn’t have to settle for one. With 1:10 left, La Jolla tailback Lamar Frye found room to run on fourth-and-2 from the Christian 38, scoring the winning touchdown as the Vikings improved to 2-0 with a 13-7 victory.

Christian (1-1) controlled the game in the first half but was only able to score on the 12th play of its first drive. Running back Shawn Anderson scored over right tackle from the 2 with 5:36 left in the opening period, and Barrett Pricor’s kick made it 7-0.

In the second quarter, after a first and 10 at La Jolla’s 19, Patriot quarterback David Jeremiah was sacked twice for 28 yards. Christian couldn’t convert on third down and was forced to punt.

The tying score came on a bizarre play with 7:20 to play in the game. With Christian in punt formation at its 26, the snap was high and the ball dribbled away from punter Jeremiah and into the end zone. Viking linebacker Eric Litch pounced on it for the touchdown, and Mike Wollaeger’s kick made it 7-7.

“Our defense did it for us,” Edwards said. “You’ve got to give them credit.”

The winning touchdown was set up when La Jolla linebacker Chris Dennis recovered a Christian fumble at the Patriot 46.

The first pass by Viking quarterback Fred de la Vega was deflected, and his next throw was incomplete. On third down, Kevin Anderson ran for 8 yards, and Frye followed with his touchdown run.

Christian was plagued by penalties, 9 for 65 yards.