Crean Lutheran, led by talented returning players, looks for another successful season

Crean Lutheran’s football team takes the field for a game last season. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs).

It was a memorable 2022 season for Crean Lutheran High School’s football team, led by Coach Rick Curtis.

The Saints (10-2) finished with the most wins since entering the large schools division and had the program’s best finish in the Empire League, finishing second (4-1) to league champion Cypress. Crean Lutheran also had its first CIF playoff victory since 2015, defeating Aliso Niguel 35-34 in the opening round of the CIF Division 8 playoffs.

Curtis said the team will look for a strong effort on defense to lead the way this season.

“This year’s team looks to be strong defensively as several players return on the defensive side of the ball; junior middle linebacker Carter Jones, who was the Saints’ leading tackler (92 tackles) in 2022 and junior outside linebacker Mason McCullough (81 tackles) lead a linebacking corps that has been
bolstered by Santa Margarita transfer Taurian Nash,” Curtis said.

“Nash is a junior and will also play running back on the offensive side of the ball. The defensive secondary is led safety and returning starter, Ben Byszewski, who led the team in interceptions (six) in 2022.

“Juniors Troy Hill, Robert (Dash) Smith, Eli Bray and Luke Doyle will hold down the cornerback positions as Smith, Doyle and Bray will also see a lot of action on the offensive side of the ball. Javari Nash, a sophomore transfer from Santa Margarita and senior Colin Currier will hold down the other safety position.”

The defensive line will be led by 6-0, 295-pound Tyler Parker, who Curtis said is “one of the top rated defensive linemen in California” and returning starter Daniel McEarchern.

McEarchern is coming off his first season of organized football in 2022.

Jameel Naber (6-0, 230 pounds) and Michael Bunnel, a speedy player, are also contending for starting spots.

“Returning starter and senior Ben Buettell, who is coming off a torn ACL injury, may see action on defense but may be mostly used as a wide receiver on offense,” Curtis said.

The offensive side of the ball is “young and inexperienced, however, we feel is a group that will develop over time as there are several ways to spread the ball around to our talented players,” Curtis said.

“Currently, there is a battle going on at the quarterback position between junior John Santos and Jeremiah Finaly, a senior transfer from Los Alamitos,” Curtis said.

The Saints have some talented running backs, including senior Justin Dominquez, who rushed for 366 yards on 50 carries, most of those yards during league play and in the CIF playoffs after earning a starting spot in the middle of the season.

“Junior Eli Bray (493 yards, 88 carries) who also returns, will move to the slot position to highlight his receiving ability and his ability to gain big chunks of yardage while in open space,” Curtis said. “Smith has breakaway speed and could be a key weapon on offense as well. Taurian Nash
and Dominguez will look to carry the load in running the ball. Carter Jones will see more action on
offense than in 2022 at the tight end position, highlighting his ability to catch the ball in the middle of the field and in traffic.”

Crean Lutheran has a number of talented receivers returning.

“The wide receiving corps is led by Byszewski (15 receptions, 182 yards) and Buettell (18 receptions, 400 yards) who will see more targets after the graduation of Boise State commit Ty Benefield,” Curtis said.

Freshman Caden Jones (who also plays quarterback), Doyle, Currier and junior Daylin Caamano,
will also see plenty of playing time, Curtis said.

“The offensive line is led by returning starters Kyler Petronis (6-1, 275 junior) and senior Kellen Cosenza, who played on both sides of the ball in 2022,” Curtis said. “Naber, along with juniors Tyler Garcia, Grant Culbertson and Jonah Reuter look to crack the lineup in the offensive line. Parker looks to give the offense some key downs during each game at one of the offensive tackle positions.”

Returning starter Connor Stephens, a junior, will handle all the kicking duties with with
McCullough backing him up at punter, placekicker, and kickoffs.

“We feel Stephens is a big weapon for us after averaging 39 yards on his punts and putting his kickoffs in the end zone 67 percent of the time in 2022,” Curtis said.

Curtis said he’s also appreciative of the efforts of his coaching staff.

“Offensive coordinator Russ Oka (running backs), and defensive coordinator, John Byszewski (safeties), help lead an experienced coaching staff, one that I have been truly blessed with,” Curtis said.” I will be handling the special teams while also coaching the cornerbacks.

“One of our new additions, Daved Benefield (CFL and NFL playing experience), will be coaching the defensive line while Vincent Levigne returns to coach our linebackers and lead our JV squad. The newest member of our staff and one of our offensive line coaches, Tim Holt, has NFL (Raiders, Bears, Bucs), USFL (Michigan Panthers), college and high school experience.

“Holt is teaming with veteran offensive line coach Jerry Holloway in coaching the offensive
line. Irvine High graduate Ethan Whitsell returns to tutor our quarterbacks while Billy Nealy also returns to coach our wide receivers.”

Crean Lutheran advanced to the second round of the CIF playoffs last season, losing to Vista Del Lago 26-21.

2023 SCHEDULE

All games 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 18, vs. Canyon at Fred Kelly Stadium

Friday, Aug. 25 (H) vs. Mary Star

Friday, Sept. 1 (H) vs. Trabuco Hills

Friday, Sept. 15 (H) vs. Northwood

Friday, Sept. 22 at Gahr

Friday, Sept. 29 at Valencia

Friday, Oct. 6 vs Pacifica (Homecoming)

Friday, Oct. 13 (H) vs. Tustin

Saturday, Oct. 21 vs. Cypress at Western

Friday, Oct. 27 (H) vs. Kennedy

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