Crean Lutheran football team looks to earn playoff berth behind talented senior group

Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis looks on as No. 4 Rylan Codorniz and No. 3 Andrew Duberow make a tackle last year. Both players are returning. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs).

Crean Lutheran High School head football coach Rick Curtis has been impressed with what he’s seen of his team this summer led by an experienced group of seniors.

The Saints also got a lift by the addition of three talented transfers.

“With a solid senior class, it is needless to say, the Crean Lutheran Saints are excited about the upcoming football season,” Curtis said this week.

“Our goals have been to continue to improve on a daily basis, but also to develop toughness within the program by instilling a ‘True Grit’ mentality through intense training sessions during the summer,” Curtis said.

“Offensively, the Saints are led by quarterback Gavin Rogers, a three-year starter who had a great summer campaign. Senior Andrew Duberow (2021 Empire League special teams player of the year) leads the rushing attack as he returns for his second year at the position. Jake Ramirez who is also a senior, returns at wide receiver, as does junior Ben Buettel.

“A senior transfer from Santa Margarita, Ty ‘Buck’ Benefield, who has several scholarship offers, looks to really open up the passing for Rogers and the rest of the receiving corps. The offensive line is led by the ‘Big 3,’ seniors Graham Austin, Jesse Fluegge and UC Davis commit Cristian Viola.

“Seniors Jake Daichendt and Ben Abate look to hold down the tight end position for the Saints. Sophomores, Ben Byszewski and Santa Margarita transfer Carter Jones look to get the action from the slot position in the Saints’ multiple single-back offense.”

Curtis said Crean Lutheran is young defensively with several underclassmen looking to fill the positions.

But there are some talented seniors, including Benefield (safety), Duberow (outside linebacker), Abate (defensive end), Fluegge (defensive line), Austin (defensive line) Viola (defensive end), and Rylan Codorniz (defensive line).

“The Saints have been bolstered by the addition of Jones (MLB) and the development of sophomores, Mason McCullough (LB), Eli Bray (DB), and Byszewski (safety),” Curtis said.

“A junior transfer from Dana Hills, Kellen Cosenza, looks to make an impact on both sides of the ball in the defensive line and offensive line.  The Saints will try to make up for their lack of size with a quick, aggressive defensive style.”

Curtis is looking for senior Mateo Barrot to fill the kicking needs along with sophomore, Connor Stephens.

Curtis has set goals for the team which will again play in the highly-competitive Empire League.

“The number one goal for the Saints is to get into the CIF playoffs for the 2022 season,” Curtis said. “Time will tell if the Saints’ goals and expectations can be elevated to a championship caliber of play, but all indications are that the Saints’ are well on their way to breaking into the upper echelon of the tough Empire League.”

Curtis said the program will have 80 players, largest in school history and will field varsity, JV and frosh-soph teams for the first time in school history.

2022 Schedule 

Friday, Aug. 19, (H) vs. Costa Mesa at University

Friday, Aug. 26, at Mary Star of the Sea

Thursday, Sept. 1, (H), vs. Rancho Christian at Portola

Friday, Sept. 16, (H) vs, Laguna Beach at Irvine Stadium

Thursday, Sept. 22, (H), vs. Gahr at Portola

Friday, Sept. 30, at Kennedy (Western)

Friday, Oct, 7, (H), vs. Valencia at Portola

Thursday, Oct. 13, at Pacifica (Bolsa Grande)

Friday, Oct. 21, at Tustin

Thursday, Oct. 27, (H), vs. Cypress at Portola

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