Bishop Amat Shows Ability to Bounce Back

It would have been easy to glance at La Puente Bishop Amat’s records the last two seasons--5-5 in 1999 and 2-8 in 2001--and conclude the Lancers were on the decline heading into the 2001 season.

A closer look would have revealed that Bishop Amat, typically a Southern Section Division I juggernaut, had merely hit a few snags while returning to its winning form.

The Lancers last season endured injuries to key players, including four linemen. Three of those linemen played on offense and defense. Bishop Amat also played with eight juniors on offense and nine juniors on defense, which led to a lack of leadership in close games. As a result, the Lancers lost a handful of games by two or three points.

The upside to the turmoil was that it prepared the Lancers for this season, in which they are 3-0 and No. 13 in The Times’ rankings. ..

Bishop Amat can take another step forward at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it plays at No. 22 Chino Hills Ayala (1-1-1). The game, originally scheduled for Chino District Stadium, has been moved to Ayala High.

The Lancers’ winning formula has consisted of a balanced offensive attack that includes seniors Donnie McClesky at tailback, Mike Lange at quarterback and Adam Simon at wide receiver. McClesky, who missed time last season because of a broken rib and a sprained knee, is the Lancers’ go-to guy, averaging 207 yards rushing to go with eight touchdowns in three games.

Lange has completed 62% of his passes for five touchdowns and one interception. Three of those touchdown passes have gone to Simon, who has eight catches for 212 yards.

“The key is that we have a good mix,” said Coach Mike DiFiori, the Lancers’ third-year coach who is looking for his first playoff appearance. “When you have Donnie in the backfield, he’s a threat, and then we have Adam on the perimeter. We have a lot of key players who are making plays.”

Inside linebacker Wesley Walker has been the playmaker on defense with 32 tackles.

Still, DiFiori isn’t ready to anoint this year’s team as anything special.

“The potential’s there,” he said. “In the end, you can look back and say this team was pretty good, but you have to win games before you can even make that comment.

“I will say that this is a good group of kids that has a lot of character. They practice hard and they play hard.”

The next four weeks will give DiFiori a better indication of where his team stands, as the Lancers play Santa Ana Mater Dei, Bellflower St. John Bosco, Santa Fe Springs St. Paul and Los Angeles Loyola.

“From here on out, every opponent is going to be a great test,” DiFiori said. “We get a good test every week, and every team brings something new to the table that’s going to test our offense or defense.

“Each week you’re successful, you gain confidence.”

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Breaking through: Division XI power Orange Lutheran is known for scheduling large-division opponents to prepare for the playoffs. The Lancers are also known for giving those opponents a tough game before losing.

This season has been different. Led by quarterbacks Casey Whieldon and Jason Taylor, Orange Lutheran defeated Huntington Beach Marina, 42-35, last week to give Lancer Coach Jim Kunau his first victory over a Division I opponent in nine seasons at the school.

The Lancers (2-1-2) also tied defending Division VI champion Irvine, 21-21, and runner-up Newport Harbor, 7-7. They suffered their only defeat to Division I power Anaheim Servite, 26-22, after failing to score inside the Friar 10-yard line late in the game.

Kunau said he pays more attention to his opponents’ strength than their division.

“Marina is a good team,” Kunau said. “That’s what was significant to us.”

Facing Marina running backs Adam Hayward, who has committed to Colorado State, and Turill Engelman should help the Lancers if they get a rematch with two-time defending Division XI champion Ventura St. Bonaventure in the playoffs. Last season, Seraph tailback Lorenzo Booker rushed for 363 yards and five touchdowns against Orange Lutheran in the championship game.

Kunau, whose team hosts Santa Fe Springs Santa Fe (2-0-1) tonight, is seeking his first division title after reaching title games in ‘94, ’95 and last season.