Crean Lutheran wide receiver Braylen Ross leaps for the ball deep down field as Capo Valley’s Cash Perry defends. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).
Crean Lutheran’s football team won another big game for its head coach Friday night at home.
The hard-fought 30-22 Bravo League victory over Capo Valley improved the Saints league record to 2-0 and it was the second year in a row that Crean Lutheran coach Rick Curtis won a game over Capo Valley, coached by his son Sean Curtis.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
This time it was a league game against previously undefeated Capo Valley (6-1, 1-1).
The game announcer described the contest as the Curtis bowl.
“It’s really just another game for us but it definitely means a little something to our program and obviously to their program too, you want to play for your coach, because he does everything for you,” said Crean Lutheran quarterback Caden Jones. “Given the opportunity to do that to come out victorious means a lot to us.”
Jones had another big game completing 18 of 26 passes for 178 yards and two touchdown passes to lead Crean Lutheran (5-2, 2-0). He also rushed for 69 yards on nine carries.
“It’s a great win, great team, well coached, I think we just did our job,” Jones said.
Coach Rick Curtis received the game ball from his team after the game and met with his son.
“It was an honor to be out here, and coach against my son,” Curtis said. “I’m so proud of him and what he’s done with that football program has been amazing.”
Crean Lutheran also got a big game from running back Eden Gamiz, who rushed for 153 yards on 18 carries including a 80-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter that put Crean Lutheran ahead 30-15.
Capo Valley battled unti the end closing the gap to 30-22 on a 10-yard TD pass from quarterback Talon Spencer to Colin Hooper with 3:19 left. The Cougars were unable to recover the onside kick and Crean Lutheran was able to run out the clock.
The versatile Spencer completed 16 of 24 passes for 171 yards and rushed for 62 yards on seven carries and two TD runs, including a 4-yard run late in the second quarter that tied the game.
Crean Lutheran took an early 7-0 lead when Aaron Nicasio scored on a 1-yard run.
The Saints moved ahead 14-7 at halftime when Jones hit Braylen Ross on a 12-yard TD pass with three seconds left in the first half.
Damari Hall put the Saints in scoring position when he returned the kickoff 55 yards following the Capo Valley TD.
“That was a big play in the game, Damari Hall,” Curtis said. “Damari has been playing really well and he played a really good game tonight. For us to be able to put it in put us up 14-7 and they had to chase it. They had momentum and then we turned it right back.”
Crean Lutheran kept rolling in the second half. Jones connected with Ross on a 52-yard TD pass to put the Saints ahead 20-7 with 9:45 left in the third quarter.
Eric Miao kicked a 30-yard field later in the quarter to put the Saints ahead 23-7 and they were in command the rest of the way.
Crean Lutheran is tied with Corona del Mar for first place in the league.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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