PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran clinches CIF playoff berth with victory over Pacifica

Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis and his players celebrate after Thursday’s victory. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).

Crean Lutheran High School’s football team continued to roll in Empire League play with a 35-7 victory over Pacifica at Bolsa Grande Thursday night that clinched a CIF playoff berth, according to Coach Rick Curtis.

Curtis said the win by the Saints (8-0, 3-0) “may have been our most complete game of the year. We are improving as the year goes on and Thursday night’s victory assures the Saints of a guaranteed berth in the CIF playoffs.

“It was our best-executed game on offense as our offensive line protected (quarterback) Gavin Rogers throughout the game and opened up sizeable holes for our running backs.”

To see the slide show, click on the first picture:

Andrew Duberow of Crean Lutheran hangs onto the ball before being tackled.

Crean Lutheran players Ty Benefield (No. 2) and Ben Buettell celebrate a big play.

Pacifica quarterback Noah Salas takes a snap against Crean Lutheran.

Connor Stephens of Crean Lutheran kicks an extra point Thursday.

Ty Benefield of Crean Lutheran scores a touchdown vs. Pacifica.

Curtis said the offensive line was outstanding. 

“The offensive line of Cristian Viola, Jesse Fluegge, Kyler Petronis, Graham Austin, Kellen Cosenza and Aiden Bisbee controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the contest,” he said.

Rogers had another big week, completing 23 of 33 passes for 259 yards and four touchdown passes.

His top receivers were Ty Benefield (12 receptions, 145 yards and three touchdowns), Ben Byszewski (four receptions, 50 yards) and Ben Buettel (four receptions, 41 yards and a touchdown).

“The ground attack was led by Benefield as well as he rushed for 67 yards on two carries including a 61-yard scamper to put the game out of reach at 28-7 early in the fourth quarter,” Curtis said.

It was the best rushing game of the year for Crean Lutheran, Curtis said. Andrew Duberow (11 carries, 53 yards), Eli Bray (seven carries, 27 yards) and Justin Dominguez (four rushes, 30 yards) all had outstanding games.

The defense and special teams also stood out.

“Defensively, sophomore Mason McCullough and Benefield continued to have solid games as each was in on seven tackles,” Curtis said. “The defense had another goal line stand after the Saints fumbled deep into their own territory, turning away the Mariners to keep their 14-0 lead secure in the second quarter.”

Byszewski had a key interception in the fourth quarter as the defensive front was effective against Pacifica, holding the Mariners to 193 yards total, 123 passing yards and only 70 yards rushing. 

“For the second week in a row, the Saints’ special teams blocked a kick, as Carter Jones blocked a punt to give the Saints great field position in the second quarter which eventually led to a touchdown by the offense,” Curtis said. “Connor Stephens was good on his five PATs and kept the Mariners deep in their territory with his booming kicks on kickoffs.”