Orange Lutheran Hangs On, 18-13

Orange Lutheran linebacker Anthony Vernaglia recorded a safety with 28 seconds left to preserve an 18-13 Division XI semifinal victory over Los Angeles Cathedral before 2,000 at Brea Olinda High.

Running back Jabari Jefferson’s second touchdown of the game, a five-yard run, pulled third-seeded Cathedral (9-3) within 16-13 with 7:03 to play. But second-seeded Orange Lutheran (10-1-2) drove 60 yards and ate almost six minutes off the clock before turning the ball over on downs at the Cathedral 14-yard line, setting up Vernaglia’s big defensive play, a tackle of a ballcarrier in the end zone.

Lancer quarterback Casey Whieldon completed 12 of 18 passes for 133 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown connection with Chaz Guinn late in the third quarter that gave Orange Lutheran a 16-7 lead. Guinn had nine catches for 124 yards. Jefferson finished with 101 yards rushing in eight carries for Cathedral, which lost to the Lancers in the semifinals for the second year in a row.

Orange Lutheran will play Ventura St. Bonaventure (13-0), a 56-16 winner over Cerritos Valley Christian Friday, in the title game for the second consecutive season. The Seraphs defeated the Lancers, 34-16, last season as Lorenzo Booker ran for 363 yards and five touchdowns.