Football: Okalani Langi scores four TDs in Chaminade’s 70-23 victory

It wasn’t until Friday afternoon that Chaminade learned Okalani Langi, a transfer from Alemany, had been cleared to play in a season opener against Venice.

Langi made an immediate impact, scoring four touchdowns when Chaminade went to its goal-line power-pitch play, helping the Eagles roll to a 70-23 victory over host Venice.

Coach Ed Croson has been running his short-yardage play for years dating back to the time Milton Knox and Dennis Keyes were scoring touchdowns in bunches at Birmingham High. Now Langi will fit in perfectly for the Eagles.

“When we get inside the 10, everybody knows what we’re going to do,” Croson said.

It was also a successful starting debut for quarterback Ed Sias, who takes over for Brad Kaaya. He had touchdown passes of 28 yards to Brandyn Lee and 38 yards to Jordan Anthey.

Freshman running back TJ Pledger scored his first high school touchdown for the Eagles.

Venice briefly took a 9-7 lead after a safety on a bad punt snap and a 55-yard touchdown catch by Dejon Jones. But Venice didn’t have the players up front to stay with the Eagles, who won last year’s Division II bowl game and will play Hart next week in what shapes up as an offensive shootout.

Chaminade had four interceptions against sophomore quarterback Robbie Blosser, including two by Diamond Harrell.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer