Caden Jones of Crean Lutheran tries to gain yards in Friday’s game. (Photos courtesy John Luciano).
Saints quarterback Caden Jones sets three records.
After securing the outright Bravo League championship with a 49-21 victory over Villa Park Friday night, Coach Rick Curtis Crean Lutheran Saints open the CIF Division 2 playoffs Friday night at home.
Crean Lutheran (8-2) will take on Rancho Cucamonga (7-3) the Baseline League champion at 7 p.m.
To see additional photos, click on the first picture:
“We are blessed to be in the CIF playoffs for fifth year in a row,” said Curtis. “Rancho Cucamonga is a very talented team and will give us all that we can handle on Friday night.
“As is the case in the playoffs, especially in this competitive equity era, the teams are matched up evenly within the divisions based on the high schools rating system.
“Alex Pierce and his staff do an excellent job in preparing their athletes each week so look for this to be an exciting and competitive first round matchup.”
The winner of Friday’s game moves on to the second round against the winner of the Tustin-San Juan Hills game. Crean Lutheran would be on the road if it wins Friday.
Curtis was proud of his team’s accomplishments. The Saints finished 5-0 in the competitive Bravo League.
“Capturing the Bravo League championship and our second league championship in a row is a great accomplishment for our program,” Curtis said. “Most people felt that the Bravo League was the most competitive league in Orange County and I agree. Every week was an intense battle, but we felt going in that we were battle tested by virtue of our challenging pre-league schedule.”
Quarterback Caden Jones had a record setting night for the Saints.
He set the record of most passing touchdowns in a game, six, breaking his own record of five that he held with Gavin Rogers. Jones also broke the passing yardage in a game record with 401 yards passing, breaking Rogers previous mark of 352 yards.
Jones also broke Rogers’ record for most passing yardage in a career, Curtis said.
“That record will be added to as we head into the playoffs, Curtis said.
In addition, the Saints Braylen Ross broke Ty Benefield’s receiving yardage of 192 yards for a game with 240 yards, Curtis added.
In Friday’s game, Caleb Bey had two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving touchdown to lead the Saints.
The special teams player of the week was Damari Hall, who had a TD reception to go along with 66 yards in kickoff returns, one a 41 yarder that put the Saints in great field position for a quick score before halftime.
“Ace Herman continued his solid play from his tackle positon as he and his lineman teammates protected the quarterback and opened holes for the running backs,” Curtis said.
The overall player of the game was Troy Roberts, who had nine tackles and two passes defended. The defensive player of the game was Nasir Walker, who had eight total tackles, four tackles for a loss and one pass defended.
“Ahmeer Willamson and Mateo Munoz picked off passes to thwart two Villa Park drives during the game,” Curtis said. “Eric Miao continued his solid placekicking, making seven of his seven PAT’s to go along with five touchbacks, and Hall added to his special teams heroics with a big hit on kickoff coverage at a key point in the game.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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