1995 in ReviewLike boxers pushed together to...

1995 in Review

Like boxers pushed together to pound each other in the head, the ring kept closing around Cerritos Valley Christian and Orange Lutheran last year.

Throughout most of the game for the Olympic League title on Nov. 10, Orange Lutheran thwarted Valley Christian’s star running back, Kenchasa Amos.

But with 17 seconds remaining, Amos burst up the middle of the Orange Lutheran defense from the Lancers’ 23-yard line for the winning touchdown. The Crusaders won, 36-31.

In the Southern Section Division X semifinals, however, Valley Christian lost to Rosamond, 45-10, and Orange Lutheran defeated Lancaster Paraclete, 28-0, to advance to its second-consecutive final.

But Rosamond was bounced from the title game after officials determined that a game videotape had been altered, removing many of the Roadrunners’ running and scoring plays. The tape was part of a routine exchange with Orange Lutheran.

As a replacement opponent, Cerritos Valley Christian advanced to the final.

Quarterback Kirk Sarloos drove the Crusaders 78 yards in the final seconds for the winning touchdown and Cerritos Valley Christian won, 21-17, at Orange Coast College.

The Olympic League will compete in Division IX for playoffs this season, which is only sort of a move up because the Southern Section also added another division. Still, the shuffling may prevent another all-Olympic League final.

But nothing can prevent the teams from meeting for what promises to be an emotional league game.

It will happen Friday, Oct. 18 at Brea Olinda.

In the Victory League, Capistrano Valley Christian finished second behind Bloomington Christian. Valley Christian lost to Anza Hamilton in the first round of the Division XI playoffs.

In the Freedom League, St. Margaret’s placed second behind Banning Twin Pines. St. Margaret’s lost to Coast Union in the first round of the Division XI playoffs.

In the Arrowhead League, Southern California Christian placed fourth and did not make the playoffs.