Orange Lutheran Is Sloppy in Defeat

Orange Lutheran knew it would have to stop the vaunted running game of Banning in its Southern Section Division XI second-round playoff game Saturday night at Brea Olinda High.

Likewise, Banning knew it had to shut down the Lancers through the air.

Both teams failed in their missions, but Banning got a few more big plays to pull out a 46-36 victory.

Quarterback Jason Whieldon of Orange Lutheran finished his high school career with a so-so night by his standards, completing 17 of 34 attempts for 283 yards and throwing two interceptions. But his three touchdown passes gave him 40 this season and 90 in his career, both county records. He also had two touchdowns rushing.

Whieldon was limited by the condition of his favorite receiver, Ryan Nath, who spent three days in the hospital last week because of a throat condition. Nath played sparingly, catching a single pass for a 63-yard touchdown early in the game.

In the end it was the running of Banning quarterback Marcell Allen (130 yards, three touchdowns) and tailback Geno Randle (222 yards rushing and a touchdown to go with 124 yards and a touchdown on kick returns) that made the difference.

“Banning played better than us,” Orange Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau said. “Pure and simple. They had more big plays than we did.”

Orange Lutheran struck quickly, scoring on the third play from scrimmage on Nath’s touchdown reception. Banning tied the score on a 10-play, 53-yard drive that was set up by Randle’s 30-yard kickoff return. The burly running back finished the drive with a 19-yard scoring run, but Banning also muffed a pair of conversions.

Orange Lutheran marched 66 yards in 11 plays and Whieldon put the Lancers back on top, 14-6, with a three-yard scoring run and a two-point conversion pass to Emmanuel Lahlouh just a minute into the second quarter.

But Randle got Banning back in the game in a hurry, racing 75 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff. Banning then took the lead, 18-14, five minutes before halftime when Allen, running out of the option, took off at his own 13-yard line and raced 87 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion failed.

Banning went up, 26-14, just three minutes into the third quarter on a 24-yard scoring pass from Allen to Marlon Harris and a successful conversion run by Harris. Orange Lutheran got to the Banning 24 on the next possession, but Davis shut down the drive with his second interception of the game at the two-yard line on a pass from Whieldon that was intended for junior Jon Talmage.

That was all Randle and Allen needed. The duo combined to carry the ball on eight of the next 10 plays, accouting for all but four yards in a 90-yard scoring drive. Allen’s touchdown made it 32-14 for Banning.

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Top Gun

Orange Lutheran’s Jason Whieldon ends his career with all-time county marks for most touchdown passes in a season and a career:

CAREER

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1. Jason Whieldon 90 Orange Lutheran, 1997-99 2. Doug Baughman 75 Bolsa Grande, 1996-98 3. Todd Marinovich 74 Mater Dei/Capistrano Valley, 1984-87 4. Bret Johnson 63 El Toro, 1985-87 5. Four tied with 58

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SEASON

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1. Jason Whieldon 40 Orange Lutheran, 1999 2. Billy Blanton 36 Mater Dei, 1991 3. Tim Carey 35 Los Alamitos, 1992 3. Mike Good 35 Los Alamitos, 1993 3. DeShai Houston 35 Ocean View, 1999

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