FOOTBALL 2021: Crean Lutheran to play six games, including three at home

Matthew Mahoney picks up yards for Crean Lutheran against Valencia in 2019. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs)

Crean Lutheran High School’s first year football coach Rick Curtis Thursday announced the Saints revised six-game schedule which includes three home games and five Empire League games.

The squad will begin the season on Friday, March 12, at home against Sonora.

The Saints’ football players found out this week that the season was on.

“Our kids were very excited, but I also think they were also partially in shock,” Curtis said. “There have been so many times within the last nine months that we have started, then had to stop, then started again that there was a feeling of disbelief.

“I think as a result we did not have a very good practice on Tuesday. The intensity level and excitement really picked up yesterday as they realized that this was really happening, that we were really going to have games.We had a great practice and I look for that to continue for the next two weeks prior to our games.”

Crean Lutheran, which has played its home games at Portola High and Irvine Stadium, will play its home games at its on-campus stadium, Crean Lutheran Saints Stadium, Curtis said.

All the games will be at 7 p.m. Under the current rules by the California Department of Public Health, only immediate family members will be allowed to attend.

Orange County football teams were given the go-ahead to begin full conditioning Friday and games as early as Thursday, March 11. No CIF playoffs will be held this year.

SAINTS SCHEDULE

Friday, March 12 vs. Sonora (Home)

Thursday, March 18. vs. Tustin at Tustin High

Friday, March 26 vs. Cypress (Home)

Thursday, April 1 vs. Kennedy @ Western High

Friday, April 9 vs. Valencia (Home)

Thursday, April 15 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande

Curtis said school officials are still working on details for parking, and temporary restrooms (with social distancing) at the campus field.

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