PHOTOS: Cypress defends league title with decisive win over Crean Lutheran

Aidan Houston of Cypress gains yards in Thursday’s game vs. Crean Lutheran. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).

Cypress High School quarterback Aidan Houston used his arm and his legs to lead the Centurions over Crean Lutheran 42-6 and propel Cypress to the Empire League title Thursday night in front of about 1,200 fans at Crean Lutheran.

Houston rushed for 164 yards and tied a career-high by scoring four touchdowns and he threw for 226 yards and a touchdown as the No. 9 Centurions completed their regular season with a perfect 10-0 overall mark and 5-0 league record.

Both teams came in undefeated.

“We played as a team and all of the off season hard work paid off,” said Houston, who completed 12 of 14 passes and rushed the ball 17 times. “I think it’s tough for coaches to plan around my running and passing. I’ve been blessed.”

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

The Centurions successfully defended their league title from last year and now have won a share of the league championship for four consecutive years. The Saints (9-1, 4-1) were attempting to win their first league title since 2015. Both teams will await Sunday’s CIF playoff selections. It will be the Saints first playoff appearance since 2017.    

Crean Lutheran took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in eight-plays to take the early lead. Gavin Rogers completed five passes on the scoring march to Ty Benefield, including a 10-yard TD pass to cap the drive. However, the Saints missed the PAT and led 6-0.

Houston countered by guiding Cypress on a 8-play, 85-yard drive to take the lead. Matthew Morrell scored on an 8-yard TD run to give the Centurions a 7-6 lead.

The Saints offense stalled on their next three possessions of the first half and throughout the second half.   

Houston sparked the Cypress offense with his throwing accuracy and his speed. He accounted for 134 yards on the Centurions next two possessions and added touchdown runs of eight and one yards to give Cypress a 21-6 lead at the half. 

A spirited Saints defense prevented Cypress from increasing its lead when they stopped Nathan Schneider on a fourth-and-one run at the Saints one-yard line with just over a minute to play in the half.

Houston rushed for 96 yards and threw for 129 yards in the first-half as the Crean Lutheran defense struggled to contain the crafty junior QB. The Centurions outgained the Saints 263-99 in the opening 24 minutes of play. 

Houston rushed for his third TD of the game and threw a short pass to Matthew Morrell that Morrell turned into a n 81-yard TD in the third quarter as the Centurions pulled away. Houston added a 34-yard TD run in the final quarter.

“Our offensive played well and we have a very special quarterback,” said Cypress Coach Rick Feldman. “Thanks to our defensive coach Jeff Crooks. He made adjustments after they scored a touchdown on their opening possession.”

Benefield had a big game for the Saints as he caught 11 passes for 127 yards. Crean Lutheran was held to its lowest point total of the season.  

Cypress has won nine of their 10 games this season by double digits and is averaging 42 points per game.

“They executed well and they’re a bit more physical than we are,” said Saints Coach Rick Curtis. “We had trouble with their quarterback and he torn it up. He made several critical third-down runs for first-downs in the second quarter. But we finished second in league and had one loss and we’re going to the playoffs, it’s been a good season.”  

RELATED

Crean Lutheran coach confident team will bounce back

—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone