Whieldon Wields His Magic

So this is the kind of player Jason Whieldon is. One who can go all week without practicing, then knock off the fourth-ranked team in Orange County.

Whieldon had plenty of help from his Orange Lutheran teammates, who debuted in the county’s top 10 this week at No. 10. But for a guy who was nervous, maybe even a little scared, the senior quarterback didn’t show it as the Lancers (5-0) stopped Woodbridge’s 17-game unbeaten streak in a 20-17 victory on Thursday.

Whieldon wielded his magic in clutch situations, completing a fourth-down pass in the fourth quarter that set up his decisive four-yard touchdown pass to a leaping Ryan Nath.

And Whieldon shocked the Woodbridge defense, which allowed an average of 10 points in its first four games, by running 35 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Not bad for a guy who sat out of practice with a pulled groin. “I was really nervous because of that,” said Whieldon. “It’s the first week I really haven’t practiced. I like being prepared, and not practicing had me concerned.”

Whieldon took about a dozen snaps at half speed on Wednesday, and he threw an interception while missing on his first four passes against the Warriors. But he finished with a flourish, completing 14 of 25 passes for 188 yards and making almost all the key plays.

“This was a great win for everyone,” said Whieldon. “The thing that amazes me is that we didn’t play as good as we could have.”

Woodbridge (4-1) made crucial turnovers, too, none bigger than quarterback Jimmy Pearson’s fumble at the Orange Lutheran three-yard line with five minutes remaining. It came after the Warriors’ biggest play, a 48-yard run by Shane Harris (21 carries, 104 yards) that moved the Warriors to the five and gave them a chance to take the lead with a touchdown and extra point.

And Pearson, on first-and-goal, was going in the right direction, but the ball came loose as he bulled toward the end zone, and Orange Lutheran’s Ethan Williams recovered.