St. Bonaventure Pulls Away for Third Title in a Row

It was supposed to be a coronation as Southern Section Division XI champions.

After some anxious moments, it was precisely that for St. Bonaventure.

The Seraphs, an overwhelming favorite to win their third consecutive title, were a shadow of themselves in the first half and trailed at intermission. The Seraphs dominated from then on in a 49-14 victory over Orange Lutheran before 5,000 Saturday night at Ventura High.

In his final high school game, star running back Lorenzo Booker ran for 232 yards and scored five touchdowns as St. Bonaventure (14-0) won its 42nd consecutive game dating to 1998. Booker finished his career with a state record 8,495 yards, 2,869 of them coming this season.

“That was the goal from Day 1,” said Booker, who didn’t lose a game in his varsity career. “There’s no better feeling than this.”

Wide receiver Whitney Lewis also scored on runs of 48 and 27 yards as the Seraphs outscored Orange Lutheran, 43-7, after halftime.

Coach Jim Kunau of Orange Lutheran (10-2-2), who’s team battle valiantly until Booker and Lewis took over, said the two are the best he’s ever seen.

“There’s a reason why Lorenzo is the No. 1 recruit in the United States and why the other might be the No. 1 wide receiver recruit next year,” Kunau said. “These guys are unbelievable.”

Booker gave St. Bonaventure its first lead at 12-7 with a one-yard run. It was his next score that broke the Lancers.

At the Lancers’ 31-yard line, he took a handoff and ran into one of his lineman. With Orange Lutheran defenders shutting off the right side, Booker reversed direction and picked up a block from Lewis coming to the left. Booker then outran everyone to the end zone.