PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : McCleary’s Scores Lead Whittier Christian, 34-7

ARTESIA — Jason McCleary celebrated his first game at running back by scoring three touchdowns Friday night in Whittier Christian’s 34-7 Olympic League rout of Brethren Christian at Artesia High.

McCleary subbed for starter Steve Machuca, who strained a thigh muscle in the first series, and made several big plays for the Heralds (5-2, 1-1). He scored twice on the ground and once in the air to finish with 117 yards in 13 carries and two catches.

His biggest play came in the final minute of the first half, with the score tied, 7-7. Sophomore quarterback Garrett Estabrook, in his first start, hit McCleary with a 46-yard play-action pass down the right sideline.

Whittier Christian Coach Tom Caffrey got McCleary loose continually with fakes to running back Nick Valdez, who rushed for 99 yards in 18 carries. Putting the former wide receiver in the backfield caught the Warriors (1-6, 0-2) off guard, Caffrey said.

“He’s new to the position, so they had no way of knowing his ability there,” Caffrey said. “But when Machuca went down, McCleary just took over.”

Quarterback Ryan Babcock led the Brethren Christian offense, going nine of 21 for 95 yards. He led the Warriors to their lone score by hitting three straight passes in a 70-yard, second-quarter drive.

His 23-yard pass to John Dingman put Brethren Christian on the one-yard line. Running back Dan Muilenburg punched it across from there on the next play.