Calvary Chapel’s Short Scores Five Touchdowns

Calvary Chapel sophomore running back Keith Short rushed for 315 yards and five touchdowns as the Eagles defeated Whittier Christian, 32-14, in an Olympic League game Friday night at Whittier College.

Short, whose game totals were career bests, scored on runs of 75, 62, six, 43 and four as Calvary Chapel improved its record to 7-2-1 and 3-2 in league. The Eagles qualify for the Southern Section Division X playoffs, which begin next week.

Early in the second quarter on Calvary’s first play after a Herald touchdown, Short, who carried 21 times on the evening, broke several tackles on a 75-yard touchdown run. Just 2 minutes 30 seconds later, Short scored his second touchdown, propelling the Eagles to a 14-8 halftime lead.

“Keith [Short] did a great job tonight,” Calvary co-head Coach Bill Lapes said. “He’s been committed all year, and he hasn’t let down. I feel he’s one of the top running backs in the county.”

The Eagles blew the game open in the third quarter with two quick touchdowns. Calvary Chapel took the second-half kickoff and marched 65 yards in six plays. Short capped the drive with a six-yard run. With 6:32 remaining in the quarter, Short, who rushed for 169 yards in last week’s victory over Orange Lutheran, scored his fourth touchdown to increase the Eagles’ lead to 26-8. He added his final score midway through the fourth quarter.

The Heralds, who finished their season 4-6 and 0-5, scored both their touchdowns on passes from Matt Thompson to Rickie Cawley.