PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran rolls up big passing yards in road win over El Dorado

Crean Lutheran’s Dillon Booth evades defenders Friday night vs. El Dorado. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).

By JAKE RHODES

For OC Sports Zone

There were two aerial pieces of art at work on Friday night, the pink and gold Southern California sunset, and Crean Lutheran’s passing attack led by junior quarterback Caden Jones, as the Saints spoiled El Dorado’s homecoming with a 50-7 win at Bradford Stadium.

Crean Lutheran (7-0, 2-0) has won its first two Epsilon League games by a combined score of 90-21, and that domination is a big thanks to the arm of Jones, and a stout Saints defense.

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

Jones connected on three TD passes in the first quarter alone, two to junior wide receiver Ty Johnson, and one to senior wide receiver Dillon Booth. After a 60-yard punt return for a TD by senior wide receiver Taiga Takada, Crean Lutheran was up 29-0 after one quarter of play.

Johnson, a transfer from Lampasas, Texas, has now caught four TDs in the first two games he has played in for the Saints since finishing his sit-out period.

“I think our receiver room and quarterback connection is probably the best in SoCal, I want to say that for sure,” said Johnson. “When I first got here, me and Caden automatically clicked. When I got to talk to the other receivers too, we also just clicked.”

Crean Lutheran’s D-Line harassed El Dorado sophomore quarterback Hudson Shaddow all night long. The defense forced three turnovers, one of which was a textbook tip drill interception caught by senior safety Javari Nash. 

Then the special teams unit got in on the action with a massive hit that forced a fumble on the kickoff following a 38-yard field goal drilled by Saints junior kicker Eric Miao.

Saints coach Rick Curtis said there was a little concern with focus due to his team’s poor pregame warmup, but stated he was proud of how his players responded before kickoff.

“I was a little worried that they weren’t [ready to play], we didn’t have a great pregame,” said Curtis. We had practiced really well during the week… so I just wanted their intensity to pick up. We had a pretty good pregame speech going on.”

Johnson and the offense heard the fiery words of their coach, taking a 43-0 lead into the half following two more touchdown passes from Jones. One was the second TD for Booth, and one went to senior wide receiver Bryce Coleman as the clock struck 0:00, putting the formal dagger into a silent Hawks Nest.

“He [Curtis] was preaching to us to stay out of our heads. We weren’t showing the best look in the first quarter, it was kind of sloppy,” said Johnson. “I think I could have done more. We just need to stay loose and have fun.”

Jones only played in the first half, finishing 21 of 33 passing for 192 yards and those five TDs. He was relieved by freshman quarterback Lucas Wong, who completed three passes. 

“We started a little slow, we got them to jump offsides and that was a big help,” said Jones. “Then we went out [and] scored four TDs in a row. I think if we just keep our consistency, that’s going to be a big part for us going into these next big games.”

Shaddow continued to stand in the pocket and pass through pressure for El Dorado (3-4, 0-2). He was able to find junior wide receiver Justin Karg for a 10-yard TD pass on the Golden Hawks’ first possession of the second half.

Crean Lutheran’s scoring was capped off with a pick-6, returned 36 yards by sophomore defensive back Nathan Collins.

Despite two convincing wins over Foothill and El Dorado, Curtis believes his team is not looking to send a message to the Epsilon League, they are just playing their best football at the right time.

“I don’t really like to say we are sending messages. We are just playing well,” said Curtis. We are very blessed with a lot of talent, and the kids are rising up to that talent… Zach [La Monda] has a really young team, they’re building and they do a great job. We are just pleased with the outcome.”