Orange Lutheran Tramples Troy

Coach Jim Kunau felt he could not accurately evaluate how well Orange Lutheran played in last week’s 41-point victory over Los Amigos because the Lobos were missing nine defensive starters for disciplinary reasons.

So what did Kunau think of Orange Lutheran’s 50-21 dismantling of Troy before an estimated 2,000 spectators at Fullerton High on Thursday?

“Well, Troy was big, physical and able to get a lot of yardage on us,” Kunau said after thinking it over. “We still have a lot of work to do on defense.”

Forgive Kunau for straining to find something to criticize. There was little fault to find in the Lancers’ performance, especially that of quarterback Jason Whieldon.

Whieldon, a three-year starter, passed for 310 yards and six touchdowns--three to receiver Jon Talmage, who totaled 114 yards on three catches--and also rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in 12 carries.

Whieldon expertly operated the Lancer offense, which looked two steps ahead of whatever plans Troy had made during the week. He called timely audibles and mixed the option running game with quick slant passes and deep throws. Two first-half touchdown passes came on plays Whieldon changed at the line of scrimmage.

Orange Lutheran (2-0) scored on all five of its possessions in the first half to build a 36-6 lead.

“Jason was flawless in the first half,” Kunau said. “He is a great competitor and he makes very good decisions.”

“I really like this team,” said Whieldon. “It works very hard. It also has a lot of leaders. This was a big victory for us.”

Troy (1-1) had strong performances from fullback Brett Murray, who ran for 128 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, and quarterback Jordan Oliver, who passed for 119 yards and a touchdown. But no Warrior could match the output of Whieldon.

When Orange Lutheran defeated Troy last year, 28-19, the Lancers were a senior-dominated team while the Warriors were playing many juniors and sophomores.

On Thursday the roles were reversed. Troy has 16 returning starters. Orange Lutheran has half that many, with only three on offense. Its biggest losses were on the offensive line, where only one starter returned, senior Pat Salyer.

But as the game began it was Orange Lutheran that looked like the seasoned squad and Troy that looked as if it was playing its second varsity game.

Orange Lutheran took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards in nine plays (actually 88 yards counting the clipping penalty assessed on the first play), culminated by Whieldon’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Scott Ausmus.