High School Football Preview: Brethren Christian Football

Brethren Christian (6-1) vs. Crean Lutheran (6-1)

When/where: 7 p.m., Thursday at Irvine High

Key Warriors: Sr. RB Jordan Leonard; Sr. QB Joey Gutierrez; Sr. WR Nathan Sagastume; Sr. LB Dante Sanchez.

Key Saints: So. RB Jack Johnson; Sr. QB Gavin Folsom; Jr. WR Patrick McNerney.

Breakdown: The Warriors are unbeaten on the field this season, as their only loss is a forfeit due to the use of an ineligible player in the season opener against Ocean View… Brethren Christian is ranked No. 6 in CIF Southern Section Division 10, while Crean Lutheran is ranked No. 3 in Division 11…The Saints and Warriors are former members of the now-defunct Academy League…Crean has won four straight since a 35-7 loss to Aquinas…In that four-game winning streak, Crean has outscored teams, 201-27…Brethren Christian is coming off a bye, after a 60-6 win over Excelsior Charter and has outscored opponents, 308-57, in its six wins…Leonard has rushed for 1,201 yards and 18 touchdowns, while Gutierrez has completed 77 of 102 passes for 1,347 yards and 19 TDs…Sagastume, senior Joshua Gorrell and junior Brent Nash have combined for 67 receptions for more than 1,100 yards and 15 TDs…Sanchez leads the Warriors defense with 82 tackles...Brethren Christian won last year’s meeting, 51-36.

— Barry Faulkner