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Orange Lutheran coach Rod Sherman has identified Jon Ellinghouse for a very long time.
Earlier than dealing with Sierra Canyon on Thursday evening at Orange Coast School, Sherman stated he wouldn’t thoughts telling the Trailblazers coach instantly that he thought Ellinghouse’s group was one of the best he had seen the varsity produce.
After No. 2 Sierra Canyon dismantled No. 7 Orange Lutheran 41-9, Sherman was sure.
“Little question,” he stated.
Eric Sondheimer, The Occasions’ highschool sports activities columnist, nicknamed the Trailblazers’ swarming, antagonizing protection the “Kaboom Squad” — a superhero-like, nonstop drive of energy, pace and IQ.
How do you cease a defensive entrance reminiscent of Sierra Canyon’s?
Orange Lutheran (3-2) was nonetheless trying to find a solution within the muggy-air aftermath of a suffocating loss that featured 10 tackles for loss and 6 sacks.
“There have been some unbelievable particular performs defensively,” stated Ellinghouse after Sierra Canyon improved to 5-0.
Junior defensive again Madden Riordan sealed the sport with an interception. Senior defensive lineman Mikhal Johnson recorded two sacks. Junior defensive sort out Kasi Currie had two tackles for loss and an interception over a four-play span within the second quarter.
The Trailblazers sideline shouted within the third quarter when senior defensive again Trey Brown snuck in for a booming sack.
“All people was hype for me,” Brown stated.
It was relentless. The Lancers accomplished simply 5 passes on 17 makes an attempt.
Senior defensive finish Richard Wesley’s scream in the midst of the postgame huddle stated all of it.
“I’m blissful,” Wesley — who made a sack — roared, extending the “y” for emphasis.
Don’t let the scoreboard idiot you; it may have been an Orange Lutheran goose egg — a lot in order that Ellinghouse stated he thought of the sport a shutout.
The Trailblazers started their first drive with a tipped-pass interception from Lancers freshman defensive again Kiingbaraka Kizzee — stalling within the purple zone and settling for a discipline objective — and ended the primary half with a blocked discipline objective and a 71-yard landing return from junior Matthew Zapien.
Not one of the Lancers’ scores got here from a gradual drive. However, the Trailblazers scored with ease.
Ellinghouse referred to as a trick, double-reverse resulting in Sierra Canyon senior quarterback Laird Finkel discovering large man Brayden Tautolo ultimately zone for an eight-yard landing to make it 14-3 within the first quarter.
After an Orange Lutheran three-and-out, Louisiana State defensive again commit Havon Finney Jr. scored on a 62-yard punt return. It didn’t let up.
Sierra Canyon junior working again Jaxsen Stokes scored on a 16-yard run along with a pair of three-yard landing runs. Even Wesley contributed on offense with a 16-yard reception.
An enormous query stays.
After dominant wins towards JSerra, Oaks Christian and Downey, in addition to Punahou (Hawaii) — to a 233–16 complete factors differential — what’s stopping Sierra Canyon from difficult Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, and others for the Southern Part Division 1 crown?
Ellinghouse is able to see if his group has what it takes to dominate in Mission League play.
And so are his gamers.
“Me and my teammates had been watching that Mater Dei versus Corona Centennial — we simply thought to ourselves, why not us this 12 months?” Currie stated. “We’re gonna win this 12 months. I imagine that; I’m stating that we’re gonna win this 12 months.”
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