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COSTA MESA — It took a few minutes for Orange Lutheran to settle in, but once it did the Lancers gutted out a 21-7 win over Upland on Friday at Orange Coast College.
The game started poorly for Orange Lutheran (2-0), as it allowed Upland to go a 70-yard scoring drive on its first possession.
On Orange Lutheran’s second offensive play of the game, Upland defensive back Edward King intercepted a Lancers pass to take over possession and quiet the Orange Lutheran crowd.
Orange Lutheran wide receiver Jackson Weng drags Upland middle line backer Vincent Macaluso as they move down field in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran running back Desmin Jackson tries to break away from Upland defensive back Vincent Macaluso in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Upland running back Richard Allen tries to stop an Orange Lutheran defender as he gains some yards in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Upland wide receiver Christopher Ponce tries to haul in a pass as he is defended by Orange Lutheran defensive back Kies Furrha in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran wide receiver Jaylen Lynch can’t hold onto a pass near the endzone as Upland defensive back Edward King covers him in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran running back Desmin Jackson breaks away from Upland defenders in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran quarterback Logan Gonzalez is sacked by an Upland defender in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran players run onto the field carrying their flag at the begining of a non-league football game against Upland at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Upland quarterback Sean York cranks up to throw a pass under pressure against Orange Lutheran in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran running back Desmin Jackson leaps over the goal line in the second quarter to score a touchdown against Upland in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran wide receiver Desmin Jackson, center, is picked up by team mates to celebrate scoring a touchdown against Upland in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran running back Desmin Jackson just clears the corner marker of the endzone for a touchdown against Upland in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran wide receiver Desmin Jackson, center, celebrates scoring a touchdown against Upland in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Upland runningback Zivan Ardines breaks away for a large gain in the first quarter against Orange Lutheran in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran corner back Xane Uipi goes up to intercept a pass in the end zone against Upland wide receiver Michael Burnett in the last few imnutes of a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran wide receiver Jaylen Lynch battles Upland defensive back Edward King in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran head coach Rod Sherman before a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
An Orange Lutheran fan wears a cowboy hat with flashing lights in the stands as the Lancers defeated the Upland Scots in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran wide receiver Pierce Brown is spun around by an Upland defender after catching a pass in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran head coach Rod Sherman on the sidelines during a non-league football game against Upland at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
It was smooth sailing from there for Orange Lutheran. The Lancers scored 21 straight points, all in the first half, and kept Upland off the scoreboard the rest of the game.
“We got punched in the mouth a bit, but we responded,” Orange Lutheran coach Rod Sherman said. “We relaxed and just played football. To hold a really good football team like that scoreless the rest of the game, it’s a really good win for us.”
Lancers quarterback Logan Gonzalez was very good after the opening interception. The senior completed 14 of 21 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns.
He threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Faraday to cut the Upland lead to 7-6.
On the next Lancers possession, Gonzalez threw a shovel pass to Desmin Jackson for a 15-yard touchdown. After a successful 2-point conversion, the Lancers led 14-7 early in the second quarter.
Jackson rushed for 93 yards on 12 carries.
Just before halftime, Gonzalez threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Lynch to put Orange Lutheran ahead 21-7 at the half.
“To lead us down the field in a two-minute drive and throw a beautiful post route to Jaylen Lynch, he’s shown that he is one of the top quarterbacks in the state,” Sherman said of Gonzalez.
Orange Lutheran’s defense had a bend-but-don’t-break approach to the second half. The Lancers allowed some long drives but were able to keep Upland out of the end zone.
Inoke Samita and Gabe Morin led the Orange Lutheran defense. Freshman outside linebacker Jojo Edwards and junior Rex Barrera also were instrumental in stopping Upland’s rushing attack.
Upland (1-1) ran the ball well but couldn’t make plays through the air late in the game. Richard Allen rushed for 91 yards and Zivan Ardines rushed for 74.
The Highlanders scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Sean York to Allen.
