Brethren Falls to Valley Christian

Lucas Castlen scored three touchdowns to lead Cerritos Valley Christian to a 22-17 victory over Brethren Christian in an Olympic League football game Saturday at Artesia High.

Castlen scored on runs of one, two and 51 yards, the final one in the fourth quarter to give the Crusaders a 12-point lead.

Brethren Christian (2-5, 0-2 in league) scored on a 25-yard pass from Justin Miller to Nathan Harris with 4 minutes 26 seconds left in the game to reduce the lead to five, but the Crusaders successfully ran out the clock.

Valley Christian (3-4, 2-0) drove 80 yards on five plays on its opening possession, a drive highlighted by a 62-yard run by Mark Garciano.

The Warriors tied the score on the next play from scrimmage--Miller hit Brian Pappagalo with a 65-yard touchdown pass. Keith Witt’s extra point made it 7-6.

Valley Christian regained the lead, 12-7, on a two-yard run by Castlen late in the first quarter.

Witt, a sophomore, made a 53-yard field goal, breaking his school record of 48 yards, with 11:04 left in the second quarter to move the Warriors to within two.

A 30-yard field goal by Eric Copeland gave Valley Christian a 15-10 halftime edge.

Garciano had 189 yards in 29 carries and Castlen had 140 yards in 14 carries.

Adrian Castillo led the Warrior rushing attack with 36 yards.

Miller completed five of 13 passes for 128 yards for Brethren Christian.