Orange Lutheran gets past Mater Dei, 24-21

The Orange Lutheran Lancers secured a share of their third consecutive Trinity League title after defeating Santa Ana Mater Dei, 24-21, Thursday at Santa Ana Stadium when Parker Flynn made a 43-yard field goal with two seconds left.

It was also the third consecutive year Lutheran, 8-2 overall, 4-1 in the Trinity League and ranked No. 8 in the Southland by The Times, defeated No. 5 Mater Dei (7-3, 4-1). The Lancers and Monarchs could finish in a three-way tie with Anaheim Servite (6-3, 3-1) if the Friars defeat Bellflower St. John Bosco (7-2, 2-2) tonight.

Lutheran converted five of six fourth-down attempts and capitalized on some trickery, with receiver Brandon Turner completing a pass on a fake punt for a first down and then connecting with Exavier Edwards on a double pass for a 46-yard touchdown on the following play to give the Lancers a 14-7 lead in the third quarter.

Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley completed seven of 16 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, leaving him 87 yards short of tying Todd Marinovich’s Orange County career passing record of 9,182 yards. Barkley’s final pass was intercepted by Lutheran’s Kyle Dravis at the Lancers’ 29-yard line, setting up the winning drive.

-- Ben Bolch

Woodland Hills Taft 34, Birmingham 22 -- With the score tied, 14-14, and under five minutes left, Taft came up with three interceptions, two returned for touchdowns by Shaquille Shelton and Oliver Johnson, to help the Toreadors (9-1, 5-0) win the West Valley League.

Junior running back D.J. Morgan of Taft came up with the night’s biggest play. With Taft trailing, 22-21, and just over one minute left in the game, Morgan caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Bam Goodall for the go-ahead score.

Morgan, who has committed to USC, scored three touchdowns and rushed for 124 yards in 26 carries.

Junior running back Trajuan Briggs scored three touchdowns and rushed for 121 yards for Birmingham (5-5, 4-1).

Last season, Taft was routed by Birmingham in a league and playoff game, but Coach Matt Kerstetter improved his team’s defense and he got a gutsy performance from quarterback Goodall, who passed for 180 yards despite a sore ankle.

-- Eric Sondheimer