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Orange Lutheran’s offense rebounded Friday after struggling to score points in three consecutive games against highly-ranked opponents.
The Lancers erupted for 49 points in the first half and went on to defeat host JSerra 63-23 for their first victory in the Trinity League.
The Lancers (4-4, 1-2), ranked fourth in Orange County, scored 21 points in the first quarter and 28 in the second to lead 49-10 at halftime.
In consecutive losses against nationally-ranked Sierra Canyon, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, the Lancers scored one offensive touchdown.
Orange Lutheran scored on the opening possession as freshman quarterback Ezrah Brown ran in from 1 yard.
Running back Sean Morris II sparked the drive with a 33-yard run behind a pulling block from defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou. The sophomore lined up at slot receiver and motioned left to become a lead blocker.
Brown, making his third consecutive start, completed 17 of 17 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
He capped the scoring in the first quarter with a 74-yard TD strike to Nico Bland.
In the second quarter, Brown tossed a 56-yard touchdown to Landon Ressler and 29-yard score to Chris Flores Jr.
Flores (five receptions for 114 yards) and Bland (four catches for 106) each recorded 100-yard receiving games.
Morris, a senior committed to Northwestern, rushed for a season-high 108 yards and two scores on 11 carries.
JSerra, ranked No. 7 in the county, fell to 3-5 overall and 0-3 in league.
In other games Friday:
In the Bravo League:
Yorba Linda 42, Tesoro 14: Blake Thorp recorded two sacks to set the school career record as the host Mustangs bounced back from a loss to San Juan Hills to improve to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in league.
Yorba Linda’s defense held Tesoro (3-5, 1-2) to 88 yards rushing.
Thorp’s 24 career sacks broke the school record of Jacob Dennison.
Tesoro running back Nic Brubaker, who entered the game with a team-high 905 yards rushing, was limited to 33 yards on four carries.
Troy Roberts had four catches for 81 yards and a score to lead the Yorba Linda offense.
Yorba Linda lost to San Juan Hills 41-17 in Week 7.
San Juan Hills 47, Newport Harbor 10: Elijah Ayala rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns and Timmy Herr passed for 148 yards and two TDs as the visiting Stallions (6-2, 2-1) won their second straight game.
Herr completed 8 of 9 passes for San Juan Hills, which led 47-0 at halftime.
Glenn Baranoski and Ethan Ambat led the defense for Newport Harbor (2-6, 0-3) with 11 and 10 total tackles, respectively.
In the Iota League:
Sonora 36, Santa Ana 16: Seniors Nicolas Morales and Jacob Valencia each recorded 10 total tackles at Santa Ana Stadium as the Raiders (1-7, 1-2) collected their first victory under first-year coach Andrew Cedergren.
Sonora led 22-13 at halftime and held Santa Ana (3-5, 0-3) to a field goal in the second half.
In the Omicron League:
Portola 32, University 3: Orion Suttle passed for 158 yards and two touchdowns and Maxwell Mapstone had 12 tackles as the visiting Bulldogs (5-3, 3-0) remained tied for first place in league with Pacifica (5-3, 3-0).
Portola led 14-3 at halftime and blanked University (3-5, 1-2) in the second half.
Portola plays host to Pacifica on Oct. 30 in Week 10. University closes league with games against Woodbridge and Katella.
In the Sigma League:
Los Amigos 21, Estancia 14: The visiting Lobos (4-4, 1-2) scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to edge the Eagles (5-3, 1-2) for their first league win.
The score was tied 7-7 entering the fourth quarter.
Kai Bargas passed for 179 yards and two touchdowns to lead Estancia.
— Dan Albano
In the Delta League:
Capistrano Valley 41, Trabuco Hills 7: Talon Spencer threw two touchdown passes and ran for two touchdowns for Capistrano Valley.
The junior quarterback completed 10 of 13 passes for 134 yards and ran for 96 yards. Brody Saavedra caught two passes for 72 yards with two touchdowns for the Cougars (7-1, 3-0). Abel Gherasim ran for a score and Cartyr Quartucy caught a touchdown pass.
Tristan Zale threw for 186 yards for Trabuco Hills (3-5, 0-3) and ran for a touchdown.
In the Epsilon League:
El Dorado 35, Laguna Hills 12: Justin Karg had a rushing and receiving touchdown for El Dorado in a road win over Laguna Hills.
Hudson Shaddow threw three touchdown passes for El Dorado (4-4, 1-2). Luke Tucker and Henry Cook had touchdown receptions for the Golden Hawks.
Huntington Beach 21, Foothill 14: Huntington Beach withstood a late Foothill rally to beat the Knights.
Brady Edmunds threw for 219 yards with two touchdowns for Huntington Beach (7-1, 3-0). Troy Foster had 117 yards receiving with two touchdowns. Gavin Seguin had two and a half sacks for the Oilers. Jimmel Champion and Maxx Hopkins had interceptions.
Jake Lind threw a touchdown pass for Foothill (2-6, 1-2) and Fysher Jamieson had a touchdown run.
In the Foxtrot League:
Dana Hills 49, Fountain Valley 13: Carter Anderson threw for 343 yards with four touchdowns for Dana Hills in a rout of Fountain Valley.
Radley Geiss ran for 115 yards with two touchdowns for the Dolphins. James Leicester had two touchdown receptions for Dana Hills (8-0, 3-0) and Jack Norman had a long touchdown catch. Ryan Murphy had two touchdown receptions and Tommy Moro threw a touchdown pass.
Issac Combs threw for 175 yards with a touchdown for Fountain Valley (1-7, 0-3). Raymond Dillon Jr. had 110 yards receiving with two touchdowns.
Laguna Beach 48, Aliso Niguel 20: Jack Hurst and Brady Stringham connected for three touchdowns for Laguna Beach in a home win over Aliso Niguel.
Charlie Christian returned an interception for a touchdown on the first series of the game for Laguna Beach. Hurst had five touchdown passes for the Breakers. Otis Boultinghouse and Wyatt Bogdan also had touchdown receptions for Laguna Beach.
Hunter Hagins had a 75-yard touchdown reception for Aliso Niguel (5-3, 1-2).
Laguna Beach (8-0, 3-0) will play Dana Hills next Friday, Oct. 24, in the likely Foxtrot League championship game.
Orange 34, Northwood 28: Star Thomas threw for 361 yards with a pair of touchdowns and ran for a touchdown for Orange (5-3, 2-1).
Kingston Hunter had a touchdown reception and returned a kick for a touchdown. Adam Maldonado had 90 yards receiving with a touchdown and Benjamin Lafferre had a touchdown run.
Dylan D’Epifanio threw two touchdown passes to Isaac Kwon for Northwood (3-5, 0-3) and Jack Schultz returned a kick for a touchdown.
In the Kappa League:
Segerstrom 35, Westminster 14: Segerstrom ran for 290 yards with four touchdowns in a win over Westminster.
Ayden Morales ran for 102 yards with three touchdowns for Segerstrom (6-2, 3-0). Morales also added an interception on defense. Luis Prado added a rushing touchdown and Noah Martinez threw a touchdown pass to Diego Garcia.
St. Margaret’s 21, Esperanza 14: Kai Letcher threw two touchdown passes to Jack Kleinhanzl for St. Margaret’s in a home win.
Jack Klausner returned a fumble 48 yards for a touchdown for St. Margaret’s (4-4, 1-2).
Travis Frazier threw touchdown passes to Eddie Matthews and Jordan Sicard for Esperanza (3-5, 1-2).
In the Zeta League:
Century 34, Savanna 13: Century ran for 533 yards with five touchdowns in a win over Savanna.
Derek Carrillo ran for 260 yards with three touchdowns for Century (4-3-1, 1-1). Jesus Arellano ran for 257 yards with two touchdowns.
— Michael Huntley