Jack Fairchild of Crean Lutheran charges toward the end zone in Friday’s game against Valencia. Fairchild had two touchdowns. (Photos courtesy John Luciano, Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs)
Crean Lutheran High School’s football team had a memorable night on Friday night capturing the first Empire League victory in the school’s history and did so in front of its home fans.
The Saints defeated Valencia 38-21 at Crean Lutheran with a strong effort in every phase,: defense, offense and special teams, according to Coach Rick Curtis.
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The Saints defense was outstanding, holding the solid rushing attack of Valencia to two touchdowns.
The defensive front of Caeden Chase, Isaiah Obana, Zach Cranford, Graham Wyckoff, Sam Held, and Nathan Lee won the battle at the line of scrimmage, according to Curtis.
“By controlling the line of scrimmage, Brad Cooper and Andrew Duberow repeatedly attacked the Tiger running backs with blitzes into the offensive backfield. Cooper ended up with 11 total tackles (four for losses) while Duberow recorded nine tackles (2.5 for losses),” Curtis said. “Safety Joseph Friske and cornerback Colby Douglas (five total tackles) offered strong support from the secondary while Lee (seven total tackles) and Chase (six total tackles) were solid from their defensive line positions.
“The special teams of the Saints were dominant as Connor Grace set a school record with seven touchbacks forcing Valencia into a long field on each possession after a Crean Lutheran score. Grace also had a 39.5 average on his two punts and connected on a 32-yard field goal to extend the Saints’ lead to 24-14 early in the third quarter.”
Duberow blocked a punt and Cooper recovered a fumble for a touchdown on an errant punt snap to extend the Saints’ lead to 31-21 in the fourth quarter. Matt Mahoney had 63 yards on kickoff returns, including a 44-yarder that gave Crean Lutheran great field position.
“The offensive line had its best game of the year, allowing only one sack on a quarterback scramble, and finished off the Tigers in the fourth quarter by opening up sizable holes for the running backs, “Curtis said. “Sammy McMillan, Joseph Menton, Wyckoff, Cranford, and Chase won the battle at the line of scrimmage as well, allowing Gavin Rogers to throw for three touchdowns on the evening.
“The ever-improving Rogers (13 of 22, 197 yards) connected with Jack Fairchild on two of the touchdowns and found freshman Ben Buettel, on a 14-yard touchdown pass early in the contest to put the Saints ahead 7-0.”
Fairchild hauled in five passes for 128 yards to go with his two touchdowns, while Mahoney (six receptions, 56 yards) had another solid game on both sides of the ball, according to Curtis.
“Brad Cooper ran wild in the fourth quarter and finished with 58 yards on nine carries (6.4 average) and put the game out of reach with a 17-yard sprint to the end zone to put the Saints up 38-21 late in the fourth quarter. David Huff again picked up some tough yards inside to help move the chains in the Saints’ fourth-quarter drive to victory.”
Crean Lutheran (2-3) closes out its abbreviated spring season with an Empire League game at Bolsa Grande High School vs. Pacifica Thursday night at 7.
(Submitted by Crean Lutheran High School)
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