PHOTOS: Trabuco Hills forces late turnovers for non-league victory over Crean Lutheran

Trabuco Hills quarterback Jacob Perry gets a pass off under pressure from Crean Lutheran’s Taurian Nash (No. 5) and Mason McCullough Friday night. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / John Luciano, Ted Rigoni and Howard Lyon).

Trabuco Hills High School’s football team battled back from a fourth-quarter deficit with a strong defeat previously undefeated Crean Lutheran 31-21 Friday night in a battle of top 25 Orange County teams at Crean Lutheran.

“I’m proud of our team for playing hard, playing smart, playing team ball and finding a way to win,” said Trabuco Hills Coach Mark Nolan.

Trabuco Hills (2-0) was led offensively by quarterback Jacob Perry, who completed 9 of 12 passes for 101 yards and running back/linebacker Taylor Bowie, who had 21 rushes for 101 yards.

Mustangs defensive end Jalen McDowell had a huge strip sack on fourth down in the red zone, Nolan said. Defensive back/wide receiver Ben Holland had a big tackle for a loss on a punt, stripping the ball and returning it for a TD and Kenji Gonzales had an interception to close out the game, Nolan added.

It was a tough loss for Coach Rick Curtis’ Crean Lutheran team against Trabuco Hills, which he said should contend for the Sea View League title.

Crean Lutheran (2-1) had a solid defensive effort and rolled up more than 350 yards in total offense.

The Saints led 21-17 and were driving for another score on the 8-yard line with about eight minutes left in the game before a strip-sack fumble recovery by the Mustangs turned the game around.

Two critical turnovers hurt the Saints, Curtis said.

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Defensively, the Saints held the Mustangs to 250 yards in total offense. Middle linebacker Carter Jones led the Saints with 20 tackles.

Anthony Jones (12 total tackles) led the defensive line against the huge offensive line of Trabuco Hills. The secondary, led by Robert Smith, held the Mustangs top receiver to three catches.

Justin Dominguez rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries, Eli Bray had five carries for 46 yards and Taurian Nash eight carries for 43 yards and a touchdown for Crean Lutheran.

Saints QB Jeremiah Finaly had another big game, completing 17 passes on 26 attempts for 209 yards and two TD passes.

The top receiver was Ben Byszewski who had seven catches for 79 yards and a 40-yard TD pass.

“Luke Doyle made a miraculous catch of 36 yards to extend an offensive possession in the first half and finished with two receptions for 66 yards,” Curtis said. “Daylin Caamano had four receptions for 36 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown to put the Saints up 21-17 in the third quarter.”

Curtis said he was pleased with the effort of the Saints.

“Despite the disappointing outcome, I felt we really came together as a team this week in practice and especially in the game,” he said. “We were really proud of their effort and their will to win. I felt our kids were mentally and physically prepared to take on Trabuco Hills, a large public school from the Sea View League. It was a very exciting game with a playoff-type atmosphere and an overflow crowd.”