Orange Lutheran Football outperforms Santa Margarita with big plays on defense, special teams – Orange County Register

COSTA MESA – Orange Lutheran’s Jireh Moe blocked two extra point kick attempts that proved critical.

The Lancers defeated Santa Margarita 28-26 in a Trinity League opener that was decided in the final seconds.

Orange Lutheran scored a touchdown on a 1-yard lunge by quarterback TJ Lateef with 4:14 left to give the Lancers a 28-20 lead.

Santa Margarita, starting at his 20-yard line, converted two fourth downs on a 6-yard run by quarterback Jaxon Potter and a 26-yard pass by Potter to Trent Mosley. Potter threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley for the 28-26 with 17 seconds left.

Santa Margarita’s attempt to end the game with two points after a false start penalty against Santa Margarita and a pass interference call against Orange Lutheran was an incomplete pass.

Moe, a 6-foot, 270-pound sophomore lineman eligible for that game after serving the transfer sit-down period, blocked extra point attempts in the first and second quarters. He also had a fumbling recovery that led to the Lancers’ leading touchdown and a sack on Santa Margarita’s final drive.

Orange Lutheran, ranked No. 6 in Orange County, is 5-1. Next week, the Lancers play No. 14 Servite in a Trinity League game at Orange Coast College.

Santa Margarita, No. 5 in Orange County’s top 25, is tied 4-2 overall. The Eagles will play No. 9 JSerra at home next week at Saddleback College.

Orange Lutheran led 14-12 at half time.

Santa Margarita took the lead on a 2-yard touchdown run from Taurian Nash, followed by a 2-point conversion pass from Potter to Emmett Mosely to put the Eagles 20-14 ahead.

After Moe’s struggling recovery gave the Lancers possession at the Santa Margarita 35 late in the third quarter, Orange Lutheran scored on a 2-yard run by Antonio Barrera.

Dieter Kelly’s point-after-kick gave the Lancers a 21-20 lead.

An interception by Orange Lutheran’s Keon Washington, Potter’s first intercepted pass of the season, set up Lateef’s touchdown.

Potter completed 23 of 30 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, which were caught by Emmett Mosley, who had eight receptions for 106 yards.

Lateef threw for 137 yards and a touchdown. Barrera rushed for two touchdowns.

Santa Margarita scored in possession to open the game. The Eagles rushed for 80 yards in 13 games, with Mosley catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from him. Moe blocked the extra point kick to give Santa Margarita a 6-0 lead.

Orange Lutheran’s first possession was also an 80-yard drive in 13 games for a touchdown. Lancers running back Antonio Barrera earned the six points in a 14-yard burst through the middle. Kelly’s extra point kick gave Orange Lutheran a 7-6 advantage.