Orange Lutheran Makes an Impression

Is it too late for Orange Lutheran to move up a couple of divisions for the Southern Section playoffs?

Orange Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau believes that kind of talk is simply ridiculous. But Whittier Christian might not think so after being drubbed by the Lancers, 56-14, Saturday night at Whittier College.

Whittier Christian entered the Olympic League game ranked seventh in Division XI, but the Heralds were completely outclassed by the Lancers, ranked first in Division XI. Orange Lutheran (6-1, 3-0) piled up a 49-0 lead after three quarters, punting only once.

Receiver Jeff Renevier was the standout, catching a career-high 10 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Dee Meza had what for him is an off-night, rushing for only 114 yards and two touchdowns and catching one pass for 72 yards and a touchdown. He also intercepted a pass.

“They were keying on Dee and [receiver] Tim Fleming,” Renevier said. “So we just took what the defense gave us. I had no idea I’d catch 10 passes.”

The Lancers’ first drive was indicative of how easily they moved the ball. After stopping Whittier Christian on three plays, Orange Lutheran drove 56 yards in five plays with Meza scoring on a two-yard run. Quarterback Jason Whieldon accounted for most of the yards, rushing twice for 21 yards on options and hitting Renevier on a well-timed flat pass for 23 yards down the right sideline.

Before the half ended, Renevier caught two more touchdown passes from Whieldon of 22 and 47 yards.

Afterward, Kunau tried his best to downplay his team’s blowout victory over Whittier Christian (5-2, 1-1).

“We know the minute you become complacent is the time when you become vulnerable,” Kunau said. “We have a long way to go in improving ourselves. We had a few too many mistakes and I think some of my play calling wasn’t very good in the first half.”

Renevier said his team has the potential to be as good as anyone around.

“It’s all about execution,” he said. “We’ll play as well as we’ve prepared ourselves to play.”

Saturday night, Orange Lutheran prepared themselves pretty well.

In another Olympic League game:

Calvary Chapel 21, Brethren Christian 14 (OT)--Jeff Smith opened the scoring with a two-yard run and then scored the winning touchdown on a 25-yard reception from Keith Short to spoil Brethren Christian’s homecoming.

Smith finished the night with two catches for 32 yards.

Short rushed for 170 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.