VIDEO: Jaguars fall to La Jolla in another close game

For the third consecutive week, the Valley Center varsity football game came down to the final seconds.
But this time, the Jaguars wound up on the short end of a 23-20 score, as turnovers and penalties came back to haunt them in the loss.
The Jags turned the ball over four times--two interceptions, one fumble lost and a turnover on downs--and struggled with penalties throughout the game, most notably on a touchdown run that was called back for holding. The Jags also gave up eight sacks in the game as the offense had trouble getting in sync.
The Valley Center defense was outstanding and kept the team in the game against a fast-paced Viking offense.
La Jolla led 7-0 at halftime and despite having its own difficulties with penalties, held a 13-7 lead after returning an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Valley Center scored touchdowns on three different long pass plays, two of which went to Josh Lucas, in the second half. But the Vikings scored on a wide receiver reverse pass and still held a 23-20 lead after the Jaguars' final score of the evening came with 4:43 left in the game.
After scoring to pull within three with nearly five minutes left, the Jags forced a La Jolla punt and had 2:17 in which to drive for another score. But on the fourth play of the drive, quarterback Daniel DeLeon fumbled the snap and the Vikings recovered with 1:45 on the clock.
The Valley Center defense forced another punt, and the Jaguars got the ball back with 45 seconds remaining, having used their timeouts on defense.
But after taking a sack and missing on a pair of mid-range throws, the Jags had to go for it on fourth-and-18 with 30 seconds left. DeLeon threw deep to Brad Dozier, who had to jump up for the ball, and on his way back down he was hit, knocking the ball loose for an incomplete pass that gave the ball back to the Vikings.

Here are the video highlights (and some lowlights, unfortunately) from the game:

Video by Kelly Kidder

Daniel DeLeon drops of a screen pass to Brad Dozier for a good gain.


Jacob Cunningham breaks through for a touchdown run, but the play is called back on a holding penalty against the Jaguars.


DeLeon avoids the quick pressure with a pass over the middle, but the ball sails and is intercepted by the Vikings near their own goal line.


Derikie Blaze busts through the line and sacks the La Jolla QB.


DeLeon throws to August Fleugge for a 34-yard touchdown.


The Vikings go for it on 4th down, but the VC defense comes up with a big stop.


The Vikings get an interception and take it all the way back for a touchdown.


John Cabrera plays this pass perfectly to knock it away from the receiver in the end zone.


The Vikings mishandle this punt and the Jaguars scoop up the loose ball.


DeLeon hits Josh Lucas on a quick pass that turns into a 44-yard touchdown.


Larry Wheeler stuffs this running play in the backfield.


Dylan Chaffee tracks down the runner for a stop on third down.


The Vikings run a wide receiver reverse pass that goes for a 22-yard touchdown.


DeLeon connects with Lucas for another touchdown, this one for 30 yards.


The Jaguars blow through the line and stuff the run on third down late in the game.


DeLeon throws deep for Dozier, but the Vikings are flagged for pass interference.


While trying to lead a comeback drive late in the fourth quarter, DeLeon fumbles the snap and the Vikings recover.


Dozier gets open on fourth down, but he takes a big hit and the ball falls out for an incomplete pass on Valley Center's final play of the game.


The Vikings run out the clock on the game's final play, but with a bit of controversy because the QB didn't kneel down right away and appeared to lose the ball. The referees didn't acknowledge any fumble and the game ended when the clock ran out.