More throws four touchdowns in Vista's 35-22 win over Laguna Creek

When asked about the keys to success on offense this season, Vista football coach Mike Struebing said the offense had to find a way to my big, explosive plays, something they did well last year with Grant Rogers throwing to receivers Will Greene and Matt Werpy. In the opening game of the season Friday night against Laguna Creek, the Eagles scored on two touchdown passes more than 60 yards long and also returned a kickoff for a score on their way to a 35-22 victory over the Cardinals. For at least the first game of the season, big scoring plays were not a problem for the Eagles. "I just need to call those plays more often," Vista coach Mike Struebing said with a laugh. "No, the boys came out and faced a really physical opponent in Laguna Creek and did a really good job. I like how we responded and kept battling. We had some guys make some plays tonight. It was really fun to watch." Making his first varsity start at quarterback, Vista sophomore Jacoby More threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers: Kyle Cromwell, Jack Cromwell, Dylan Davis and AJ Righini. More finished the night 11-of-24 for 255 yards. "I felt great. I was a little nervous before the game, but kind of more excited than nervous," More said. "By the first drive I felt OK. For me, I'm nervous until I get on the field and then I'm good from there. After that it's just all adrenaline" Laguna Creek struck first with a long touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead, but the Eagles came back and answered with a six-yard scoring pass to Kyle Cromwell, tying the score at seven early in the second quarter. Later after a couple of bad snaps from center, More was tackled in the end zone for a safety, but that didn't rattle him or center Dominic Kascheres. Vista came back and scored before halftime on a 66-yard pass to Jack Cromwell that put the Eagles in front 14-9. Cromwell was hit or miss in the run game, as he carried the ball four times for 77 yards, but on the other seven carries he only gained four yards. In the passing game, though, he caught three passes for 113 yards. The Eagles received the opening kickoff to start the second half and Cael Rens returned the kick 89 yards for a touchdown, as the Eagles picked up right where they left off in the first half. On their next possession, More hooked up with Davis on a 62-yard touchdown pass, as that score put Vista in control of the game, 28-9, with 8:01 to play in the third quarter. The teams traded touchdowns once more by the end of the quarter, More completing a five-yard touchdown pass to Righini to put the Eagles in front 35-16 with one quarter to play. The Cardinals scored one last time to make it 35-22, but the Eagles stopped the two-point conversion. The Eagles' defense made one last stop, a goal-line stand and that's how the game ended with Vista leading 35-22. "We felt the defense would be our strength and they were coming up big all night, and certainly when it counted," Struebing said. "We kept two points off the board on their conversion and then we had the goal-line stand." More enjoyed playing the game and getting the win. "It was pretty fun," More said. "What we had game-planned for, we were able to execute that. I felt pretty good about how I played. You can always do better, but it's good to get this first win under my belt." Struebing was also pleased with the play of his quarterback. "I think he played really well for a sophomore to come in here and play that way against a physical opponent," Struebing said. "He moved the ball to different receivers, and I thought he did a really good job."