Football: Pac-5 Rewind

OK, will somebody please explain to me these three scores: Bishop Amat 47, Orange Lutheran 39; Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 56, Bishop Amat 21; Orange Lutheran 24, Notre Dame 14. Does that make sense?

So much for comparing scores. Obviously, Orange Lutheran is a much different team than the one that lost to Bishop Amat in game two and committed five turnovers. On Friday night against Notre Dame, the Lancers didn't fumble, didn't throw an interception and they handed the Knights their first defeat.

Here are some important factors. Notre Dame didn't seem prepared for Orange Lutheran's option game in the first half. By the time the Knights made a halftime adjustment, it was too late. The Lancers used up too much time and kept Notre Dame's offense off the field.

Secondly, quarterback Ryan Kasdorf of Notre Dame finally showed some inexperience. He hurried his passes early, with the Knights losing out on some potential scoring opportunities. In the second half, he was overwhelmed by the Lancers' defense that covered his receivers and forced him to run.

Orange Lutheran becomes the favorite to win the Pac-5. Tesoro will give the Lancers all they can handle in the semifinals, but I like Orange Lutheran's versatility. And remember, Servite is out of the playoffs, and the Friars are the one team that seems to know how to beat the Lancers. A Long Beach Poly-Orange Lutheran final is looming. Will anybody score in that game? Poly won, 2-0, in the semifinals last year.

It's looking like a year for defense.

-- Eric Sondheimer