PREP FOOTBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION X PLAYOFFS : Defense Puts Orange Lutheran in Title Game

Orange Lutheran tailback Che Holloway got the Lancers the lead in the Southern Section Division X semifinals against Paraclete, but it was the defense that earned the victory.

The Lancers limited Paraclete to one first down in the second half and 140 yards total offense in a 28-0 victory Saturday night in front of 4,000 at Antelope Valley College.

Orange Lutheran (10-3) will play Rosamond in the championship game.

Holloway led the Orange Lutheran rushing attack with 85 yards in 19 carries, scoring three touchdowns on runs of one, 13 and five yards.

The Lancers used combination of power sweeps and option plays to wear down the Paraclete defense. Quarterback Nick Odenath gained 78 yards in 11 carries and Greg Cook gained 65 in seven using the option.

“We kept getting yards in little bunches,” Holloway said. “Then they would get tired and we would break a longer one.”

Orange Lutheran finished with 278 rushing yards, and limited Paraclete (7-6) to 13 plays in the second half.

“They just controlled us up front,” Paraclete Coach Steve Hagerty said. “Our defense never got in sync to stop them.”

Paraclete was held to 15 rushing yards and quarterback Ben Joyce (six of 17 for 125 yards and one interception) was sacked four times.

Holloway broke a scoreless tie midway through the second quarter with a one-yard dive.

The Lancers had a chance to score again after a 29-yard punt return by Holloway to the Spirits’ 19-yard line, but Orange Lutheran turned the ball over on downs at the three-yard line.

Paraclete then put together its only scoring threat.

Joyce, who hadn’t completed a pass, directed a last-minute drive that included two 35-yard passes, one on fourth and 18.

Paraclete drove to the Lancer seven-yard line with one second remaining. Rather than try a field goal, Paraclete went for the touchdown, but Tim Smith knocked down Joyce’s pass in the end zone.

Holloway and Cook each scored on 13-yard runs in the third quarter. Holloway capped the game with a five-yard run.