La Serna Gets Lead, Holds Off Whittier Christian

Whittier La Serna led by three touchdowns at halftime and went on to defeat Whittier Christian, 28-12, Friday at La Habra High.

La Serna (1-0) struck early, with 11 minutes 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter, after recovering a fumble at the Whittier Christian 32.

Two plays later, quarterback Ted Petropulos hit Marvin Crowder for an eight-yard touchdown pass.

Geoff Ferguson put the Lancers up by two touchdowns with a 35-yard run up the middle later in the quarter.

Whittier Christian’s defense then stiffened, holding La Serna to only 26 yards and 11 plays the rest of the first half. But in the second quarter, Aaron Schafer ripped the ball away from Whittier Christian running back Josh Martinez and raced 29 yards for the score, putting La Serna up by three touchdowns.

But Whittier Christian (0-1) was not finished. On La Serna’s first possession of the second half, Mike Lord intercepted a Petropulos pass and returned it 40 yards for a score. With 3:59 left in the third quarter, Lord scored on a five-yard run.

With five minutes left in the game, Ferguson, La Serna’s leading rusher with 106 yards in 15 rushes, broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run.

Mike Lutfi who ran for 33 yards in five carries was the Heralds’ leading rusher.