Corp Guides Lutheran to a Title

Aaron Corp became the starting quarterback for Orange Lutheran four games into the season, but the sophomore was supposed to be holding the spot until the return of senior Seth Blackamore, a Southern Section Division VI co-player of the year last season.

But on Saturday afternoon in front of 8,204 at Angel Stadium, Corp delivered the biggest of his 10 consecutive wins as the starting quarterback, leading the top-seeded Lancers to their first section championship, a 35-6 victory over second-seeded and previously undefeated Newport Harbor (12-1-1) in the Division VI final.

It is Lutheran’s first title in six championship-game appearances. The Lancers have been to the finals four times in the last five years.

Corp, who opened the game with a 32-yard strike to Cory Olson, guided the Lancers (13-1) to touchdowns on their first four possessions and the defense did its part as Lutheran opened a 28-0 halftime lead.

In total, the Lancers ran 63 plays for 396 yards to Newport Harbor’s 37 and 159, which included 13 yards rushing in 13 attempts.

“This is what’s happened since the Mater Dei game in Week 1,” said Coach Jim Kunau, in reference to Lutheran’s 21-7 loss. “The defense played like they have all year long, relentlessly.”

Pat Roxas, who rushed 18 times for 105 yards, scored on one- and two-yard runs. Donny Lee scored on 16- and four-yard runs and Corp added a 12-yard touchdown.

Blackamore suffered a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament this summer but was expected back during league play. Last week, he looked like the old Blackamore in a relief role during a 21-3 victory over Villa Park, but he went down in a heap when he re-strained the ligament.

The Air Force-bound quarterback took a couple of courtesy snaps in the final two minutes Saturday, and Kunau had him accept the championship plaque.

“If Aaron wasn’t doing too good and was having trouble, I was going to go,” Blackamore said. “They didn’t need me. He was awesome.”

Corp rushed 15 times for 126 yards. He also completed 11 of 12 passes for 117 yards.