Point Loma Lets Its Defense Do the Stalking

SAN DIEGO â€”  On the occasion of his 200th victory six weeks ago, Point Loma Coach Bennie Edens said that his current defensive unit could prove to be the best he’s ever coached.

After his 206th victory--a 21-0 drubbing of Helix (8-3-1) in the quarterfinal round of the San Diego Section 3-A playoffs Friday afternoon--Edens became convinced.

“They’re the best defense I’ve ever had,� he said. “And I’ve been around since Moses.

“They’re a great defense. No doubt about it, they rise to the occasion.�

Cases in point:

* Helix fumbled on the first play of the game. Point Loma’s La’Roi Glover recovered at the five-yard line. Three plays later, it was 7-0.

* With Helix driving for a would-be tying touchdown with 6 1/2 minutes left, Pointer cornerback Michael Driver stepped in front of a Gregg Wilbur pass at the two-yard line and raced 98 yards down the left sideline with the interception to give Point Loma a 14-0 cushion.

* Four minutes later, Rashad Lewis returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown to end the scoring.

In addition, Jacques Ballard had two interceptions, including one in the end zone with 3:24 left in the third quarter. David Cunningham had a game-high 10 tackles. Glover added a forced fumble, six tackles and a sack of Wilbur for a loss of 19 yards.

Though second-seeded Point Loma (11-1) managed a mere six first downs and completed only two passes, the Pointers advanced to next Friday’s semifinal against the winner of tonight’s Chula Vista-Castle Park game.

The defense, of course, saw to that. It took care of business and then some, sending visiting Helix back to La Mesa with its first shutout in 58 games dating back to 1986.

“Their defense has been their threat all year,� said Helix Coach Jim Arnaiz, whose team lost to Point Loma, 10-7, during the regular season. “Their defense gives them field position. Their defense gives them turnovers. We knew that going in. We knew all those things.�