Taylor, Lancers Roll to Title

Orange Lutheran earned its third consecutive Olympic League title Thursday evening with a 46-16 victory over Calvary Chapel at Brea Olinda High.

The Lancers (8-2 overall, 5-0), ranked No. 3 in Southern Section Division XI, gained 238 yards in the first half en route to winning their seventh consecutive game.

Quarterback Jason Taylor, a junior, ran for two touchdowns, threw for another and intercepted two passes.

“The key to the game was the play of our defense and the offensive line,” Orange Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau said. “[Calvary Chapel] has some explosive athletes and we contained them, and the offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage.”

Orange Lutheran marched 85 yards in 10 plays on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead. Taylor capped the drive with a three-yard run.

After a Taylor interception, Steve Newsome gave the Lancers a 15-0 lead 2 1/2 minutes later when he scored from three yards. Josh Goedl caught a two-point conversion from Jon Talmage. Talmage caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Taylor with 4:17 left in the half to make the score 22-0.

Talmage added a 32-yard field goal to make it 25-0 at halftime. The Orange Lutheran defense, led by Ian Smart and Jeff Messick, forced five turnovers and held Terry Mermer and Andy Avila in check most of the game.

Avila had a 32-yard touchdown run for Calvary Chapel (6-4, 3-2) in the fourth quarter.