Calvary Chapel Wins in Last Minute

COSTA MESA — Calvary Chapel’s passing attack was dormant for much of its Olympic League game with Orange Lutheran Friday at Orange Coast College.

The Eagles were moving the ball well enough on the ground, thanks mostly to sophomore Keith Short, that Coach Bill Lapes didn’t consider passing until it was necessary.

But quarterback Dan Murrietta came up with three key completions on the final drive, including a 30-yard scoring pass with 53 seconds left, as Calvary Chapel beat Orange Lutheran, 24-23.

The victory moves Calvary Chapel (6-2-1, 2-2) into a third-place tie with Orange Lutheran but gives the Eagles the advantage in the playoff tiebreaker.

Calvary Chapel ends the regular season Friday at Whittier Christian and Orange Lutheran hosts Brethren Christian Saturday.

Calvary Chapel started the winning drive from its six with 4 minutes 8 seconds left.

Murrietta’s first key completion was for 19 yards to Matt Scheerer that gave Calvary Chapel a first down at its 46.

He then threw for 23 yards to Richard Hanley for another first down at the Orange Lutheran 30.

Murrietta then thew 30 yards to Scheerer for the touchdown that was helped when an Orange Lutheran defensive back slipped.

Calvary Chapel went for two and the pass failed, marking its fourth consecutive failed conversion in the game. Murrietta was two of 10 for eight yards before the winning drive. He finished five of 14 for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Short had 169 yards and two touchdowns for Calvary Chapel. Short, who had four runs of 16 yards or more, has scored 17 touchdowns so far this season.

“He’s going to be a great player,” Lapes said. “I don’t know how many yards we ran for tonight [Calvary Chapel had 268] but the offensive line did a great job.”

Orange Lutheran (6-2-1, 2-2) tried to rally behind sophomore quarterback Jason Whieldon, who was 17 of 28 for 295 yards. He passed for one touchdown and threw for another. He scored from two yards out to put Orange Lutheran ahead, 23-18, with 11:48 left in the game.

Whieldon had three completions--all to Jeff Renevier--for 35 yards to get the Lancers to the Calvary Chapel 25 with 10 seconds left. But kicker Josh Nelson’s 42-yard field goal attempt was right.

Despite the frustrating loss in which Orange Lutheran led, 14-0, halfway through the second quarter, the Lancers’ fans still gave the players a prolonged standing ovation after the game.