PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran rallies in final minutes for playoff victory over Aliso Niguel

Ty Benefield of Crean Lutheran races toward the end zone as Aliso Niguel’s Chase Westphal (No. 2) and Felipe Julio give chase. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano and Howard Lyon).

Before Friday night’s CIF Division 8 first round playoff game between Aliso Niguel and Crean Lutheran, Wolverines’ coach Michael Calahan said his team needed to stop the Saints wide receiver Ty Benefield in order to win. 

And for a good portion of the game, Aliso Niguel kept Benefield in check. However, in the end it was Benefield who would come through in the clutch to propel the Saints to their first playoff victory since 2015. The Saints won 35-34 to advance into the quarterfinals next Friday vs. Vista Del Lago.

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

With 4:13 to play, Aliso Niguel’s sophomore running back Jarrett Sabol broke off a 59-yard TD run that gave Aliso Niguel a 34-28 lead, but the Wolverines missed the extra point and it would prove costly.

On the ensuing Saints possession, Rogers completed passes of 10 and 41 yards to Benefield that gave Crean Lutheran (10-1) the ball at the Aliso Niguel 19-yard line.

With under two minutes to play, Benefield lined up as the quarterback, took the snap, faked a handoff into the line and then pitched the ball to Rogers.

On the play, Benefield kept running down the sideline and Rogers lofted a perfect pass that Benefield grabbed and galloped into the end zone for the tying score.

Connor Stephens added the PAT and Crean Lutheran led 35-34 with 1:52 to play. Benefield’s touchdown capped off a wild fourth-quarter that saw the two teams combine to score five touchdowns, two tying the score and three resulting in lead changes.

“It’s humbling,” said Benefield, who caught six passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. “It’s a huge win for us and there is more to go. After I caught the ball, I peeked a little and realized I was going to score.”

Moments later, Ben Byszewski intercepted Hunter Najm’s pass at the Crean Lutheran’s 20-yard line with 20 seconds left to secure the Saints victory.

“It’s exciting, we’re making history,” said Byszewski.

As the game ended, the Saints fans swarmed the field.

Sabol, who did not touch the ball until midway through the second-quarter, had a career-game for the Wolverines, rushing for 340 yards and scored four touchdowns, three of them coming in the fourth-quarter.

Crean Lutheran led 21-14 after three quarters. Sabol scored on a one-yard TD run to tie the game with 8:51 to play.

The Saints immediately responded as Rogers tossed a 58-yard TD pass to Benefield to take a 28-21 lead with 8:29 left.

On Aliso Niguel (5-6) first play on the ensuing possession, Sabol scored on a 59-yard TD run to tie the game at 28-28 with 8:13 remaining. The Wolverines’ defense then held Crean Lutheran. Aliso Niguel then took the lead when Sabol scored on another 59-yard touchdown run, but the Wolverines would miss the PAT.  

“It’s one of the most exciting victories I’ve ever had,” said Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis. “I knew it was going to be a close game; I thought we were evenly matched. Ty is such a leader; the kids rally around him and he brings so much energy to our team.”

Despite the loss, Calahan said his team never quit.

“We had a few turnovers that hurt us and the missed PAT was unfortunate, but this team never stopped battling,” Calahan said.    

The Wolverines, led by Sabol, racked up 439 yards on the ground, but committed three turnovers.

Justin Dominguez rushed for 117 yards and Andrew Duberow scored TD runs of 26 and 10 yards for the Saints. Rogers completed 10 passes for 244 yards and two TDs.

“It’s an amazing win; it’s my first playoff game ever,” said Rogers. “Our team has worked so hard and we’re moving on.”   

Note: Crean Lutheran lost wide receiver Ben Buettell, defensive back Eli Bray and offensive guard and defensive lineman Jesse Fluegge to injuries during the game. The extent is not known.

—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone