PHOTOS: San Juan Hills records big road win vs. previously undefeated Crean Lutheran

Luke Frith scores a TD for San Juan Hills Friday night. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano and Howard Lyon).

San Juan Hills High School’s football team used an effective passing game and a dominating defense to knock Crean Lutheran from the ranks of the undefeated with a 23-9 non-league victory Friday night at Crean Lutheran High.

After dropping its first game of the season last week, the Stallions (3-1) rebounded aggressively as San Juan Hill’s defense, led by Tanner Rohan, Greg Blomdahl and Gavin Blim, held the Saints offense scoreless. Crean Lutheran’s nine points were scored on a safety and a kickoff return for a touchdown. Friday’s contest marked the first game the two teams have met on the gridiron.

The Saints suffered a major loss on the game’s sixth play. Quarterback Caden Jones was injured on a running play and was helped off the field by teammates. He did not return. Jones was taken to an area hospital for an MRI on his right knee according to Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis.  

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The Stallions offense marched 86 yards in nine plays on their first drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Timmy Herr completed seven passes, including a 5-yard TD to Luke Frith to cap the drive.

Crean Lutheran freshman Dylan D’epifanio took over for Jones and was immediately under heavy pressure from the San Juan Hills defense. Moments after coming into the game, D’epifanio was sacked and fumbled. Defensive end Maxwell Porter scooped up the ball and rambled 16 yards for a touchdown, upping the Stallions lead to 13-0 at the 2:35 mark of the opening quarter.

“I was going to jump on it, but it popped up into my arms,” said Porter, a sophomore. “It gave our team energy and pumped us up.”  

Late in the first quarter, the Stallions stopped the Saints on a fourth-down play late in the first quarter but they scored a touchdown to make it 20-0 early in the second quarter when Luke Underdahl scored on a two-yard run to give the Stallions a commanding lead.

However, Crean Lutheran (3-1) battled back. Following an errant snap on a punt attempt late in the half, the Saints registered a safety when the San Juan Hills punter purposely kicked the loose football out of the end zone for a safety.

On the ensuing kickoff, Robert Smith showcased his lightning speed and returned the freekick 80 yards for a touchdown and put life back into the Saints as Crean Lutheran cut the lead to 20-9 at halftime.

Both defenses stiffened in the second half and the only points scored were on a Stallions fourth-quarter field goal. 

However, the Saints got gutty and inspirational play from D’epifanio and Archer C’de baca on offense and Anthony Jones, Taurian Nash and Tyler Parker on defense and made a run at closing the gap in the second half. But fumbles in the third and fourth quarters within the Stallions 25-yard line foiled excellent scoring opportunities.  

“I was nervous when I went into the game at quarterback for Caden, but I was also excited,” said D’epifanio, who was congratulated by his teammates following the game for his outstanding efforts. “It was a learning process.”

D’epifanio completed 12 passes for 100 yards and displayed poise under fire.   

“Dylan’s a freshman and he played in the JV game yesterday and he came into a tough situation tonight, and I think he handled it very well and did a great job,” said Curtis.  “We’re disappointed with losing but we can’t get down on ourselves. We need to get better and get ready for next week.”    

Herr, a lefthander, completed 17 passes for 141 yards a touchdown and running back Elijah Ayala rushed for 60 yards to lead the Stallions.

“Our offensive line was dominant, and our defense played lights out,” said Herr. “By establishing the running game, it made it easier for our passing game.”

Ayala agreed.

“By establishing our running game, we were able to get our passing game going,” Ayala added.  “After losing our game last week, it’s an amazing win for us.”

Stallions Coach Robert Frith said his team came to play with a chip on their shoulder.

“We lost to a very good Arizona team last week, but our guys showed up in a bad mood today and they had a chip on their shoulder,” said Frith. “Our defense pitched a shutout and when you force multiple turnovers you should win.”

Caleb Bey Jr., Dillon Booth, and Smith combined to make nine catches for the Saints.

Notes:

-Crean Lutheran coach Rick Curtis celebrated another addition to his family on Friday morning. His niece, Candace Anders, gave birth to a baby girl (Cora). Curtis shared that he’s been blessed with seven grandchildren.

-Stallions running back Elijah Ayala, a junior, played at Mater Dei his freshmen year.