California: Lancers Stop Barkley, Mater Dei Again

By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com

Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley has built an impressive resume in his four years as the leader of the Monarchs, but he’s been unable to add one key point to the remarkable list – a win over Orange Lutheran.

Barkley’s resume will remain incomplete as the Lancers captured a 24-21 victory over the Monarchs on Thursday at Santa Ana Stadium on a 42-yard field goal by Parker Flynn with two seconds remaining.

The Monarchs were unable to return the ensuing kickoff for a score, leaving them with their third loss of the season (7-3) and their first loss in Trinity League play (4-1). Orange Lutheran raised its overall record to 8-2 and put its league mark at 4-1.

If Servite defeats St. John Bosco on Friday, the Trinity League could end in a three-way tie for first place. In this case, coin flips will be used to determine the order of the seeds for the Pac-5 Division playoffs.

While Flynn’s kick provided the winning margin, the difference in the game was the Lancers’ ability to hold on to the ball. Orange Lutheran put together a pair of monster drives, one in the first half and one in the second, and held the ball for 34 minutes in the game compared to just 14 for Mater Dei.

“That’s a real tribute to our offensive linemen,” Orange Lutheran head coach Jim Kunau said. “Our backs also did a good job of hanging on to the ball, which had been a problem for us early in the season. We wanted to keep the ball away from Mater Dei because we have a great deal of respect for their coaches and their program.”

The first big drive for the Lancers tied the score at 7-7 by halftime. After Mater Dei scored on a 9-yard pass from Barkley to Chris Paliska, Orange Lutheran marched 80 yards on 20 plays, taking nearly eight minutes off the clock. The Lancers converted two fourth downs on the drive and scored on a 1-yard sneak by junior quarterback Bobby Wheatley with 29 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Monarchs needed three plays to take the lead in the second half. After a 28-yard pass from Barkley to Christian Maldonado, Jaron Hytche ran 53 yards for the go-ahead score. Zac Chocek added his second of three extra points on the night for a 14-7 lead.

That’s when Kunau went to the trick plays. Facing a fourth down at midfield, Orange Lutheran ran a fake punt with Brandon Turner throwing to Davonte Anderson for a 15-yard gain and a first down.

Turner was at it again on the next play. This time Wheatley threw a backwards pass to Turner on the left side of the field. Turner then threw all the way back across the field to Exavier Edwards for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Flynn tied the score with the extra point with 6:38 left in the third period.

Orange Lutheran took the lead midway through the fourth quarter with an 11-play, 46-yard drive that culminated in a 6-yard scoring run by Garret Gilliland.

Barkley and the Monarchs struck quickly once again. This time Mater Dei needed four plays to even the score. The big play came on a 69-yard pass from Barkley to Victor Blackwell that put the ball at the 4. Hytche scored on the next play to even the score at 21-21.

The Mater Dei defense stiffened and forced an Orange Lutheran punt with about five minutes left in the game and the Monarchs started their final drive on their own 20. Barkley, who was closing in on former Monarch quarterback Todd Marinovich as Orange County’s all-time passing leader, completed a 34-yard pass to Ario Winston at midfield. But after a 2-yard run by Hytche, Barkley threw an interception over the middle of the field to Orange Lutheran’s Kyle Dravis.

The Lancers never let Barkley get another chance. Wheatley moved the Lancers into field goal range over the final 3:36 including a nifty scramble that ate up 15 seconds and resulted in a 16-yard pass play to Gabe Lemon.

Barkley, who went over 9,000 yards for his career, finished the game 7 of 16 for 195 yards and one touchdown. He now has 9,095 yards and is still short of Marinovich’s total of 9,182.

Dravis finished with 104 yards rushing for Orange Lutheran while Wheatley completed 14 of 24 passes for 93 yards. Hytched rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries for the Monarchs.