Undefeated Crean Lutheran embarks on Empire League challenge this week

Crean Lutheran quarterback Gavin Rogers looks for an open receiver. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).

After going through non-league play undefeated, Crean Lutheran High School’s football team begins Empire League play Friday night, facing Kennedy (1-4) at Western High.

The Saints finished non-league play 5-0 and on Friday, defeated Gahr 42-6 on the Crean Lutheran campus.

Crean Lutheran faces some tough tests in league play. Cypress, coached by Rick Feldman, is the defending league champion. Cypress has won at least a share of the league title three years in a row.

Crean Lutheran hosts Cypress (5-0 overall) on Thursday, Oct. 27 in the league finale.

“We are entering the tough Empire league this week, large schools that have been playing tough schedules going into the league season,” Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis said Tuesday. “Cypress has been impressive and is the clear favorite to repeat as league champions.  

“We are going into the league confident, however, we know that we must take it one week at a time.” 

Curtis said the Saints seniors have led the way this season.

The key to our success has been that we are playing well together as a team and we have great team chemistry. 

“You really are only as good as the senior leadership that you have within your team and our senior leadership has been outstanding,” he said. “This group has overcome a lot of adversity, but they have persevered and now they are reaping the rewards of their hard work.”

Curtis said he had high expectations going into the season.

“Yes, with the group that we had coming back, and with the expectations being raised, we really thought we had a good chance to get off to a fast start,” Curtis said. “This really feels like my first year at Crean Lutheran, as we were able to have a full off-season. I think the feeling now is that we have a solid program, one that is getting people’s attention.”

One of the highlights has been playing on campus this season with added bleachers creating a home field advantage for the Saints.

“Having our own campus stadium has also been a real boost to our team and to our Crean Lutheran community,” Curtis said. “I feel that the spirit is at an all-time high on our campus.

“It was a dream we had when we got here to play on our campus and now it has become a reality. We have been blessed to have so much support for our football program.

Quarterback Gavin Rogers has led the Saints offensively, completing more than 70 percent of his passes and 18 TD passes.

“Ty Benefield has been impressive on both sides of the ball and on special teams,” Curtis said.

Benefield leads Crean Lutheran in receptions with 27 with 434 receiving yards and has hauled in eight touchdowns.

“Jake Ramirez is having a solid season (11 receptions, 124 yards and four TDs) while also doing a great job at his cornerback position on defense. Running back and outside linebacker Andrew Duberow has been slowed by injury, but we expect a big league season from him.”

Eli Bray has been the team’s leading rusher with 403 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

“Benefield, Carter Jones, Ben Abate, and Mason McCullough are our leading tacklers on defense as the unit is playing better each week,” Curtis said.

Crean Lutheran has also benefited by the outstanding play of sophomore placekicker Connor Stephens  with 26 touchbacks on kickoffs, made 25 of 27 PATS, and has a 38-yard average on punts, Curtis added.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com