San Diego Section Football Championships : Offensive Battle Set Tonight Between Vista, Fallbrook

SAN DIEGO —  The Vista and Fallbrook high school football teams have been feared by opponents this season because of their dominating offenses.

Vista and All-County running back Tommy Booker have kept opposing coaches reworking defensive schemes to stop the Panthers.

Fallbrook and All-County quarterback Scott Barrick and his main target, Bill Dunckel, have caused the same problems.

But as both teams proved during the San Diego Section 3-A playoffs, these two offenses are more diverse than people give them credit for.

Tonight at 8, Vista (12-0) meets Fallbrook (10-2-1) in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium in the Section 3-A championship.

Running back David Strojny led Vista to its 27-21 semifinal victory over Granite Hills last week with 176 yards in 14 carries.

Booker had 166 yards and 3 touchdowns in 16 carries, but the threat of Strojny lifted much of the pressure from Booker.

Wingback Marc Jones is also a prominent figure in the Vista running attack. When Vista beat Fallbrook, 48-21, in the fourth game of the season, Jones rushed for 134 yards in 16 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown run.

“Booker, Strojny and Jones really complement each other in the backfield,” Vista Coach Dick Haines said.

In Fallbrook’s 34-27 victory over Mount Miguel last Saturday, running back Ty Barksdale rushed for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns in 24 carries. The threat of Barksdale forced the Mount Miguel defense to shift its concentration from the passing attack, the best in the county.

“(Fallbrook is) just like us,” Haines said. “They will change things around against you. You can’t sit back there and play the pass or else you will get beat out there; they will just run Barksdale down your throat.”

3-A CHAMPIONSHIP

Who: No. 1 Vista vs. No. 7 Fallbrook.

Where: San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

When: 8 p.m.

Radio: KOWN (1450)

TV: Monday 9 p.m. (tape delay), public access Channel 30, 37, 24 or 15 depending on cable company.

Records: Vista 12-0; Fallbrook 10-2-1.

Last year: Vista defeated Helix, 35-7, to win the 3-A championship; Fallbrook lost to Sweetwater, 20-17, in 3-A quarterfinal.

Players to watch: Vista--Tommy Booker (6-1, 201), RB; Bill Faraimo (6-2, 185), QB; David Strojny (6-2, 187) FB; Marc Jones (5-11, 180), WR. Fallbrook--Scott Barrick (6-3, 190), QB; Bill Dunckel (5-11, 175), WR; Ty Barksdale (5-9, 160), RB; Darrow Nelson (6-0, 180), WR.