Carpinteria Takes Advantage of Orange Lutheran’s Generosity

Ryan Gocong’s 12-yard touchdown run with less than one minute remaining and Ivan Vargas’ extra point gave Carpinteria a 42-41 upset victory over top-seeded Orange Lutheran in the second round of the Division XI football playoffs Friday at Brea Olinda High.

Gocong scored four touchdowns for the Warriors (9-3), who outplayed Orange Lutheran on both sides of the ball and will meet Playa del Rey St. Bernard, a 20-7 winner over Ojai Nordhoff, in Saturday’s semifinal.

Carpinteria was the beneficiary of five turnovers by the Lancers (9-2), including a fumble recovery by Jason Requejo that led to Gocong’s tying touchdown.

The Warriors gained 409 yards total offense, including 360 on the ground. Gocong had 24 carries for 162 yards, and Clifton McShane had 144 yards and two touchdowns in 10 carries.

Carpinteria took a 21-12 lead in the first half, but Orange Lutheran answered with a nine-yard touchdown run by Dee Meza just before halftime. Meza finished with two touchdowns and 157 yards in 22 carries.

McShane opened the second half with a 66-yard touchdown run on the Warriors’ first possession. Orange Lutheran retaliated with Meza’s second score of the night, this time from five yards.

Carpinteria scored on their ensuing drive, which only lasted two plays. Gocong completed a 22-yard pass to David Lamar and McShane followed that with a 38-yard run to give the Warriors their biggest lead of the night, 35-26.

Orange Lutheran quarterback Jason Whieldon took the momentum back with two quick scores--a 12-yard pass play to Tim Fleming and a 40-yarder to Jeff Renevier to give the Lancers a 41-35 lead with two minutes left.

Carpinteria was forced to punt on their next possession, but the late fumble recovery by Requejo gave the Warriors their victory opportunity.