Orange Lutheran’s Big Plays Sink Corona del Mar

Eric Lerch caught touchdown passes of 52 and 73 yards from Jason Whieldon to lead undefeated Orange Lutheran to a 24-6 victory over Corona del Mar Friday night in a nonleague game at Cal State Fullerton.

Orange Lutheran (4-0-1) received a gift on the first play of the game as Corona del Mar centered the ball over the head of quarterback Dennis Alshuler, who was in shotgun formation. The ball was recovered by Mike Holden on the Corona del Mar 18. Josh Nelson kicked a 31-yard field goal to give the Lancers a 3-0 lead.

The game was sloppy for most of the first half with six turnovers and nearly 100 yards in penalties between the teams. Mychael Henry recovered a Lancer fumble on the Orange Lutheran 36 to set up the only Corona del Mar score. Five consecutive runs by Mark Hatfield netted 33 yards and Alshuler scored from the three to give the Sea Kings a 6-3 lead with 57 seconds left in the half.

The Lancers quickly regained the lead on a 52-yard Whieldon-to-Lerch touchdown pass play with 25 seconds left in the half.

Dee Meza made his presence felt for Orange Lutheran in the third quarter, when he spun his way through four would-be tacklers for a 63-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 17-6.

Lerch caught his second pass of the game in the fourth quarter, good for a 73-yard touchdown and the final Lancer score.

Meza was the leading rusher for Orange Lutheran with 129 yards and was strong on defense, intercepting two passes. Scott Hansen also had an interception.

Corona del Mar (2-3) forced four turnovers. Ryan Cooper intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, and Henry and Tim Thurman also recovered fumbles.