ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / PREP EXTRA : DIVISION X : Orange Lutheran Shuts Down Kern Valley

It had all the makings of an offensive shootout--two teams that had each averaged more than 30 points per game this season.

But it was defense that carried Orange Lutheran (9-3) to a 19-8 victory over second-seeded Lake Isabella Kern Valley and a berth in the Division X semifinals for the second consecutive year.

It wasn’t even as close as the score indicated at Brea Olinda High School. The visiting Broncs netted just 139 yards, 69 of them on a fourth-quarter scoring drive as they fell for the first time this season after 11 consecutive victories.

“You have to take your hat off to our linebackers, Chris Amato, Paul Mittman, and Aaron Kenney. Our defense was tremendous,” said Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau. “I’m also proud of our offensive line. They took control in the second half.”

The Broncs looked good early, holding on to the ball for more than 10 minutes in the first quarter. But they turned the ball over on downs inside the Lancer 10. That was about the extent of their offense; they managed just 10 net yards and one first down between the second and third quarters.

They also were hurt by seven personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Lutheran opened the scoring on the final play of the first half as Che Holloway went in from the one-yard line for a 6-0 Lancer lead.

Richard Calleja recovered a fumble at the Kern Valley 12 late in the third quarter to set up another Lancer score. It was fullback Ben Willits going in from the one-yard line to make it 12-0. Jazzer Bautista recovered a Kern Valley fumble in the final period to set up a one-yard scoring dive by quarterback Nick Odenath.

Lutheran will hit the road next Saturday. They will play the winner of tonight’s Lancaster Paraclete-Big Bear Lake Big Bear game.