Undefeated Crean Lutheran faces tough test Friday vs. Rancho Christian

Gavin Rogers led Crean Lutheran’s offensive attack Friday. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Crean Lutheran High School’s football team, 2-0 after a 49-0 victory over Mary Star Friday, faces a big challenge Friday when it hosts Rancho Christian Friday at Orange Coast College at 7 p.m.

“The Eagles of Rancho Christian, under the direction of new head coach, William Lowe,  come into the game after two lopsided victories over Cathedral City and San Bernardino,” said Saints Coach Rick Curtis. “The Eagles are averaging 45.5 points per game while only giving up 11 points per game.”

Crean Lutheran started slowly against Mary Star with several drives stalling in the Stars’ territory, but led 7-0 at halftime.

The Saints came out fired up in the third quarter, exploding for 35 points in the quarter to put the game away.

“The swarming play of the defense was the key to last week’s game as Ben Abate came up with a fumble recovery on the first play of the second half to ignite the Saints,” Curtis said. “Later in the quarter, Mason McCullough blitzed the quarterback, causing an errant pass that was picked off by Carter Jones who sprinted 19 yards into the end zone for another Saints touchdown.

“The Saints recorded six sacks in all while shutting down the Stars’ attack.  Justin Dominguez led the team in total tackles with five, while Ben Byszewski and Carter Jones followed with four apiece.”

Crean Lutheran was led offensively by quarterback Gavin Rogers, who completed 12 of 18 passes and four touchdown passes. He threw two touchdown passes to Jake Ramirez and one each to Ben Buetell and Ty Benefield.

“The offensive line of Cristian Viola, Jesse Fluegge, Grant Culbertson, Jake Daichendt, Ezekiel Hurtado, and Kellen Coszenza was outstanding, opening up holes for the running game and protecting Rogers throughout the contest,” Curtis said. “Eli Bray sliced his way through the Stars’ defense, rushing for 129 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown after substituting for the injured Andrew Duberow.

“Archer C’de Baca recorded the Saints’ final touchdown on a nifty 8-yard run in the fourth quarter.” 

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