In a Saturday afternoon contest Point Loma outran Monte Vista at home 29-26. Pointers junior running back Leslie Rogers delivered a spectacular performance, rushing for 290 and three touchdowns on 24 carries.

“Their defense was rushing so it was hard for me to find the holes at first. After they went outside, the inside opened up way more,” Rogers said.

In a tight game, Point Loma needed every one of Rogers’ yards. The contest was tied at 14 at the half and the Monarchs led heading into the fourth quarter. Junior quarterback Maurice Payne led Monte Vista’s offense, throwing for a touchdown and running for two more.

But the afternoon and the game belonged to Rogers. The junior was even a little bit surprised by his superb performance.

“That’s crazy,” said Rogers about his nearly 300-yard effort, “but I’m happy. I owe it to my defense for getting the ball to me and my offensive line for opening the holes for me to get there.”

In a back-and-forth second half, Rogers put away the Monarchs with a 30-yard cutback touchdown run. That score put the Pointers up 29-19 with 3:12 to play and was Rogers third of the game, adding to an 82-yard scamper in the second quarter and a two-yard score in the opening quarter.

“I hoped I didn’t cramp,” Rogers said of his fourth quarter touchdown.

Monte Vista scored with 2:28 left to cut the defecit to three. But after Point Loma recovered the onside kick, Rogers ran for a first down and the Pointers were able to run out the clock.

Next Friday, Point Loma (1-0) travels to Cathedral Catholic in a rematch of last year’s Division III final and Monte Vista (0-1) hosts Santa Fe Christian. Both games start at 7 p.m.

For more San Diego high school football, check out the High School Red Zone at www.sdreader.com/football.

Point Loma junior running back Leslie Rogers rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in the Pointers' 29-26 win over Monte Vista