48 First-Quarter Points Lift Liberty Christian

Liberty Christian needed only 12 minutes to put its eight-man football game with Garden Grove Claremont out of reach, scoring 48 points in the first quarter on the way to a 54-0 victory at Robinwood Elementary School.

Liberty Christian took a 24-0 lead after only three offensive plays, with the defense returning three first-quarter interceptions for touchdowns. The defense also sacked the Claremont quarterback for a safety in the opening quarter.

Gabe Baltodano scored three touchdowns for Liberty Christian, including a 40-yard run and a 25-yard interception return. The Minutemen did not attempt a pass.

“It all went so fast, I couldn’t believe it,” Liberty Christian interim Coach Rudy Sass said. Sass, the boys’ basketball coach, is coaching the team until head Coach Joe Cupp recovers from a pancreatic illness.