Retooled Lutheran Awaits Vikings
With Orange Lutheran quarterback Aaron Corp gone to USC and the Lancers' leading running back Ricky Pemasa suspended for a game due to an ejection Friday, Valencia will have less to worry about in tonight's 7 p.m. meeting with the state's No. 6 team at Saddleback College.
Right?
Wrong.
The concern and level of urgency at Valencia is the same, if not more.
As the clock neared 7 p.m. Tuesday night, Vikings players were still on the practice field.
That's what you get when you're facing the defending state champions. Orange Lutheran (3-0), winners of the CIF-State Division II title in 2006, remain a huge challenge for a Viking team still looking for respect in 2007.
The Vikings (1-1) had that opportunity against Birmingham Friday.
Valencia trailed 8-6 with seconds left to go before the half and the ball inside the 10-yard line, but were unable to score.
Valencia had the ball in the red zone three times in the game, coming up empty each time in a 29-14 loss.
Lutheran might not afford Valencia as many chances and the Vikings' coaching staff realizes that.
The Lancers run a triple option, which will do its best to keep the Vikings' offense off the field.
So confusing is this offense that Valencia defensive coordinator Robert Waters watched tape of the Lancers and noticed 40 different offensive formations in the game.
"We just have to control that fullback dive," said Valencia head coach Larry Muir. "We can't give up the big plays to (Nos.) 88 or 17."
No. 88 Blake Ayles is a 6-foot-4, 255-pound tight end, who leads the team with 208 receiving yards and 12 catches. He is also committed to USC.
No. 17 is the team's second leading receiver Cody Smith.
By noting both the run and pass, Muir is saying that offensively, Lutheran has a complete package.
The Valencia coaching staff said Lutheran has recovered well from the graduation of Corp.
Senior quarterback Bobby Hyepock has stepped in and thrown for 608 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.
"The quarterback's really impressive," Waters said, despite his 52 percent completion percentage.
But what's more scary, Waters said, is that he watched the third-string quarterback come in and work the offense to perfection.
Valencia is expecting the Lancers to come in and confuse them defensively, but Muir said his team can't overemphasize the complications.
"You have to keep it simple," he said.
Maybe somewhat of an equalizer, depending on who you ask, is both teams have to travel for the game.
Because the William S. Hart Union High School District will observe the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, the game had to be moved up to today from its regular Friday date.
Lutheran was unable to secure its home field for the game and instead must host the game at Saddleback College, some 25 miles away from the school in Mission Viejo.
This has drawn the ire of Lutheran 15-year head coach Jim Kunau, who said he will not renew the contract to play Valencia in the future.
Due to fires in Ventura and the Palmdale area in 2006, the junior varsity game between the two schools had to be canceled, which also upset the two-time CIF champion head coach.
"Their district has treated us with callous disregard," Kunau said.
Regardless, the Lutheran head coach said there are other concerns.
"I think there are multiple things. The first thing that jumps out is they're extremely well coached. They don't make foolish errors and their schemes are really good," Kunau said. "Secondly, I think how hard and tough they play. They're a very good, tough football team."
But Lutheran has been better, surrendering only 14 points on the season, while scoring 101 points.
Lutheran has won 17 of its last 18 games, including a 47-17 pasting of the Vikings Sept. 21, 2006.
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