Backup Quarterback Steps Up to Lead SCC to Victory

On Thursday, Downey Life Christian wanted to forfeit Saturday’s football game with Southern California Christian because the Lions had only 10 eligible players.

That would have been fine with SCC Coach Bert Esposito, whose team also was short three starters. Two of his top players--running back Ron Wood and tight end Keith Ridgeway--had been benched for disciplinary reasons, and offensive lineman Ben Morookian didn’t play because of personal reasons.

But by Friday, Life Christian had come up with a team of 13, and the game was on. The result was the same. Behind Ken Bueller, playing in his first varsity game, the Flames defeated Life Christian, 19-8, improving to 3-1 and 2-0 in the Arrowhead League.

Bueller, filling in for Wood, provided points on offense and defense.

His first touchdown, a four-yard run, gave SCC a 6-0 lead in the middle of the second quarter. In the fourth quarter, Bueller recovered a blocked kick and ran 42 yards into the end zone to seal the victory.

“We played tough,” Esposito said. “This was a good win for us.”

Bueller, previously taught at home, is in his first year of high school. “I was definitely nervous going into the game,” he said. “It was my first start, but I was able to make contributions to our team.”

Said Esposito: “Bueller did really well today . . . I look forward to new things from him.”

Flames quarterback Boomer Felton completed only one pass, but it was for 39 yards and a touchdown to Matt Caballero in the second quarter.

SCC’s defense limited Life Christian to 25 yards rushing and sacked quarterback Jermaine Hawkins six times. The Lions’ lone score was on a two-yard run by Nick Rueda late in the second quarter.