PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran drops season opener to Maranatha 34-17; faces SVC Friday

Crean Lutheran, led by Coach Randall Reynoso, takes the field for Friday’s game with Maranatha. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni)

Crean Lutheran’s football team will try and bounce back this week when it faces Saddleback Valley Christian Friday night at 6 at JSerra.

To see the photos, please click on the first photo

Nolan Folsom of Crean Lutheran picks up yards Friday night.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Coach Randall Reynoso guides the Saints Friday night.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Crean Lutheran's Nico Taylor tries to make a tackle of Caleb Snowden of Maranatha.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Matthew Mahoney of Crean Lutheran gains yards Friday night.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Howard Lyon

Saints kicker Connor Grace gets ready for an attempt as Brody Jones holds.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Howard Lyon

Crean Lutheran's special teams unit gets ready for a kickoff Friday night.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Nico Taylor of Crean Lutheran celebrates after a big play Friday night.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Nolan Folsom of Crean Lutheran tries to break a tackle of Erik Wallace of Maranatha.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Howard Lyon

Crean Lutheran players get ready for the next play
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Crean Lutheran quarterback Brody Jones goes back to pass Friday night.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Howard Lyon

Crean Lutheran's Isaiah Obana (No. 21) battles for position. Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Howard Lyon

Crean Lutheran's Matthew Mahoney tries to make a tackle.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Crean Lutheran quarterback Brody Jones goes back to pass against Maranatha.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Howard Lyon

Matthew Mahoney of Crean Lutheran tries to make a tackle on Isaac Fields of Maranatha.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

Players and coaches from Maranatha and Crean Lutheran gather for a post-game prayer.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/Ted Rigoni

The Saints dropped their season opener on Friday to Maranatha of Pasadena 34-17 at Portola.

“The Saints faced a very tough, physical opponent Friday night,” Crean Lutheran Coach Randall Reynoso said. “Maranatha outweighed Crean Lutheran at just about every position.”

Crean Lutheran fell behind early 27-3 but bounced back late with two touchdowns by junior running back Nico Taylor.

“The passing attack came to a hault with an ankle injury to starting quarterback Brody Jones, a sophomore,” Reynoso said. “The running game picked up in the second half with junior running back Nolan Folsom gaining 80 yards on 10 carries.”

Folsom took over at quarterback, Reynoso said.

“Defensively, no one played well,” Reynoso said. “The defensive backs were the leaders in tackles, which is never a good thing. Kicker Connor Grace was solid in the kick game.”

He was 2 for 2 on PATs, one of two on field goals and made one from 32 yards.

“The Saints will look for drastic improvement this week in preparation for Saddleback Valley Christian,” Reynoso said.

It is not clear yet when Jones will return, the coach said.

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