Crean Lutheran football team lines up new opponent and will face La Puente Friday

Crean Lutheran High School’s football team will have a homecoming game after all, according to Saints Coach Rick Curtis.

Crean Lutheran secured a non-league game with La Puente Friday at 7 p.m. at Portola High School after Valley Christian of Cerritos, the original opponent, had to postpone the game with the Saints due to COVID-19 protocol, Curtis said.

School officials and students at Crean Lutheran have been taking part in homecoming activties. Curtis had to start changing plans on Wednesday and the game was finalized Thursday.

So neither squad had much time to prepare for new opponents.

“We’re grateful that administrators from both schools were able to work it out,” Curtis said. “La Puente head coach Martin Soto and I began talking last night and within 15 hours we had a signed contract.

“The biggest hang-up was securing transportation for La Puente as there is a shortage of bus drivers this fall for athletic teams. We went ahead and exchanged film on Wednesday night so that both staffs could begin preparing for the potential game.”

Curtis added that Crean Lutheran officials Eric Olson, the athletic director and Deirdre Peak, were instrumental in making the game happen.

Both teams enter the contest with 0-2 records.