PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran wraps up regular season with victory over Laguna Hills

Crean Lutheran seniors (from left) Nico Sanchez, Kyle Birmingham, Mason McCullough and Ben Byszewski before the game. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, Samantha Burgett and Howard Lyon).

Crean Lutheran High School’s football team, which had already clinched a CIF playoff berth, defeated Laguna Hills 35-7 in an Epsilon League game Friday night at Crean Lutheran.

The Saints (8-2 overall) open the CIF Division 3 playoffs Friday night at Long Beach Millikan.

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

Crean Lutheran's Dillon Booth tries to break a tackle vs. Laguna Hils.

Laguna Hills quarterback Ben Trocchio throws a pass as Crean Lutheran's Javari Nash applies pressure.

Eli Bray of Crean Lutheran gains yards.

Crean Lutheran's Javari Nash (No. 6) and Ben Byszewski go up for the ball.

Crean Lutheran, led by Coach Rick Curtis, takes the field.

Dylan D’epifanio of Crean Lutheran throws a pass as Lance Tayco of Laguna Hills applies pressure.

“We had a good senior night win over Laguna Hills,” said Coach Rick Curtis. “With us clinching a CIF playoff berth last week in our win over Huntington Beach and with it being senior night our focus was not where we would have liked it, however the team finished strong in securing the victory.

“Eli Bray led our offense by rushing for 116 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. Robert ‘Dash’ Smith, Drew Deese, and Carter Jones had touchdown receptions from Dylan D’epifanio (12 of 24 and 96 yards).” 

Smith had two long kickoff returns for the second week in a row to put the Saints offense in great field position, according to Curtis.

Ben Byszewski had two big punt returns (47 yards) to also give great field position for Crean Lutheran. Connor Stephens had a 46.2 yard average on his punts and connected on all four of the point after touchdowns attempts.

The defense was led by Carter Jones who had 13 total tackles (seven solos, six assisted). Mason McCullough (six solos, two assisted) and Troy Hill (five total tackles) also had solid games for the Saints.

Crean Lutheran is ranked 15th in Orange County and 38th in the CIF Southern Section.

“These rankings mark the highest in Crean Lutheran’s school history,” Curtis said.