Lutheran’s Ayles stands tall by bringing down Mater Dei’s Barkley

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Matt Barkley not only tasted defeat for the first time this season, he also tasted the turf for the first time this season.

Barkley had not been sacked all season, but was sacked twice by Orange Lutheran. USC-bound Blake Ayles, pictured right, sacked Barkley with 5 minutes 37 seconds left in the second quarter. That’s 354 minutes 27 seconds without a sack. Barkley was also sacked for a 13-yard loss on his first play from scrimmage in the second half by Ricky Pemasa, who had a terrific night on both sides of the ball.

‘I didn’t think I’d get him,’ Ayles said of bringing down Barkley while also stripping him of the ball. ‘I was stoked.’

There was a lot to be stoked about. The defense’s performance included a fumble recovery by Pemasa, interceptions by Kyle Dravis and Alex Pemasa, and some terrific play from many others, including linemen Kapono Asuega and Don Williams, who had been doubtful as a starter as recently as Wednesday because of a knee injury.

Ayles admitted he was surprised his team’s defense was as good as it was against an offense that was averaging 48 points a game and had one of the most highly sought-after junior quarterbacks in the country.

‘This is the team, hopefully ,you’ll see the rest of the year going into the playoffs,’ he said.

It certainly made amends for its loss to Servite two weeks ago.

Sometimes, a loss is the best thing that can happen to a team. It sure seemed to be on this night for Orange Lutheran.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times