Crawford Helps Orange Lutheran Cruise

Orange Lutheran’s Mike Crawford scored five touchdowns as the Lancers cruised to a 44-8 victory over Whittier Christian in an Olympic League game Friday night at Whittier College.

Crawford caught four touchdown passes and returned a punt for another score. The victory sets up a showdown next Friday at Brea Olinda High between Orange Lutheran (6-1, 2-0) and Ontario Christian, the league’s other unbeaten team.

Andy Wetzler began the scoring for Orange Lutheran when he caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Nick Odenath on the third play of the game. The touchdown was set up on Tim Smith’s 34-yard reception on the previous play.

Crawford then began his scoring spree when he returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown after Whittier Christian’s first series.

Crawford made it 21-0 with 7 minutes 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter on a 12-yard reception by Odenath.

Crawford added his third touchdown of the first quarter when Justin Smith threw his only pass for a 50-yard score.

Crawford, who caught 10 passes for 141 yards, added a six-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter and a two-yard catch in the third to finish off the scoring. Odenath completed 15 of 21 passes for 190 yards.

Orange Lutheran’s defense was equally up to the task, holding Whittier Christian (1-6, 0-2) to 147 total yards, including just 31 yards passing.