Whieldon Leads Lancers to Landslide Victory

If there was any concern that Orange Lutheran’s football team would be complacent after its upset victory over Woodbridge last week, it was quickly erased as the Lancers soundly defeated Brethren Christian, 60-22, in an Olympic League opener Friday at Brea Olinda High.

Orange Lutheran quarterback Jason Whieldon led the way by completing 17 of 18 passes for 245 yards and six touchdowns. Whieldon, who entered the game as the top-rated quarterback in Orange County, has thrown 23 touchdowns for the season and has had only one pass intercepted.

Whieldon, who guided the Lancers’ offense to 395 total yards in the first half, also scored on touchdowns runs of 25 and 51 yards. He finished the game with 106 yards in eight carries and paced Orange Lutheran to a 53-0 lead at halftime. Whieldon did not play in the second half.

“We practiced harder this week,” Orange Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau said. “We recovered from a number of injuries and the kids really responded.”

Orange Lutheran wide receiver Ryan Nath had a productive night, catching seven passes for 129 yards. Nath, 6 feet and 165 pounds, was unstoppable as he caught touchdown passes of 25, 11, eight and 27 yards. Jon Talmage also caught touchdown passes of 22 and 27 yards in the first half.

Orange Lutheran’s defense, led by Jeff Messick and Jason Talmage, was dominant as it forced two Warrior turnover while applying heavy pressure on junior quarterback Kyle Painter throughout the game.