Point Loma got one of its most inspired defensive performances of the season, holding La Jolla scoreless for almost three quarters in a 28-7 win that should push the Pointers into the playoffs.

The Pointers were also able to take home “The Shoe,” which is the prize that the two teams play for every year, a tradition that dates back to the 1940s.

“Playing for 'The Shoe' is something that we really rally around,” said Point Loma head coach Mike Hastings.

Marquel Specks had 97 yards rushing and a touchdown for Point Loma while junior tailback Leslie Rogers added 90 yards on the ground and a TD run. Rogers also caught a touchdown pass, a 21-yard strike from quarterback Keegan Fitzgerald in the second quarter, to put the Pointers up 21-0.

Specks opened the scoring in the first quarter when he took an end around 41 yards for a score, spinning out of an arm tackle and racing untouched to the goal line in the process. Rogers added his first touchdown six minutes later.

But the defense was the story on the night for Point Loma (5-4-1, 3-1-1). The Vikings managed a meager 76 yards of total offense for the entire game and they were forced to punt seven times.

“Our defense has really turned a corner,” Hastings said. “It's just a testament to their hard work and just believing what they've been taught. Last week (in a blowout win over Hoover), we had a very complete game and this week was the same.”

The Pointers were flying around the field making plays all night with senior linebacker Michael Todter, junior defensive end Will McDonough, and sophomore defensive end Christian Hayward wreaking the most havoc. Point Loma finished the night with five sacks.

“We broke down a lot of film this week and worked really hard in practice to prepare,” Todter said. “We basically knew what they were going to run before they ran it. We've really played as a team the last two weeks. Everyone's doing their job instead of trying to just make plays 10 yards in the backfield.”

La Jolla (4-6, 2-3) finally put points on the board late in the third quarter when quarterback Henry Nawahine plunged in on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

Point Loma running back Russell Young added a late touchdown run, a 30-yard scamper, for the final score of the game.

“I'm very proud of these guys,” Hastings said. “We are going into the playoffs on a high note.”