PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran’s memorable season ends with loss to Loyola in CIF playoffs

Junior Dillon Booth scores a touchdown for Crean Lutheran Friday night in the CIF playoffs. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano and Howard Lyon).

Crean Lutheran High School’s football team put up a battle but lost to Loyola 23-20 in overtime Friday night in the quarterfinal round of the CIF Division 3 playoffs in Los Angeles.

The Saints finished 9-3 and reached the CIF playoffs for the third year in a row and the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season.

Crean Lutheran also had the highest Orange County ranking by OC Varsity, climbing to as high as No. 13 and finishing 15th. The team finished 36th in CIF and 59th in the state after being ranked as high as 34th and had its highest divisional placement as well, according to Coach Rick Curtis.

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“Despite having the toughest schedule in Crean Lutheran High School history by playing higher ranked opponents the Saints showed true grit by outscoring their opponents by a 30 to 12.6 point average throughout the season,” Curtis said.

“The Saints persevered through adversity by way of injuries, including losing their starting quarterback, Caden Jones for the season with a knee injury in the first quarter of the fourth game of the year against San Juan Hills. Freshman Dylan D’Epifanio took the reins and led the Saints to a 6-2 record the rest of the way.” 

Friday’s playoff was the fourth game in a row over the last two years Crean Lutheran has been on the road.

The Saints fell behind early after a long opening drive by the Cubs. Loyola then recorded a pick six to move ahead 14-0 after the first quarter. The Saints got back into the game with a drive of their own, capped off by Taurian Nash’s 12-yard touchdown run. Connor Stephen’s PAT made it 14-7.

Loyola added a field goal in the third quarter to make it 17-7, putting the Saints with their backs against the wall heading into the fourth quarter.

Drew Deese’s interception in the end zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter sparked a Saints comeback, according to Curtis.

“Daylin Caamano’s spectacular 38-yard reception was the key play in a drive that led to a 5-yard touchdown run by Dillon Booth, putting the game back to a one score game (17-14).”

Deese’s second interception of the game deep in Saints territory and his 34-yard return gave the Saints a shot with two minutes left in the game.

“Key pass plays from D’Epifanio to Dash Smith, Caamano, and Ben Byszewski and a 14-yard run by Taurian Nash put the Saints at the 10-yard line with just under a minute to play,” Curtis said. “The drive stalled at the 5-yard line and the Saints had to settle for a 24-yard field goal to force the game into overtime.” 

The Saints lost the coin flip and started the overtime on offense. Stephens made a 29-yard field goal to give the Saints their first lead of the game, 20-17. However Loyola (6-6) responded with an 8-yard TD run to win the game and advance into Friday’s semifinal against top-seeded Simi Valley.

Taurian Nash led all rushers with 114 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown while Dillon Booth finished with 55 yards on six carries and one touchdown for the Saints, who rushed for more than 265 yards in the game.

D’Epifanio completed 12 of 23 passes for 134 yards. Caamano (4 receptions, 73 yards) and Byszewski (three receptions, 42 yards) led the receivers. Taurian Nash, Javari Nash, and Tyler Parker each had 10 total tackles while Carter Jones led the team again with 16 total tackles. Deese led the secondary with two interceptions at key points in the fourth quarter. 

Stephens finished out his outstanding career with two clutch field goals to go with his well placed kick-offs and punts (36.6 yard average) to once again lead the special teams unit, Curtis added.