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Orange Lutheran football defeats Santa Margarita with second-half surge

October 7, 2023

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MISSION VIEJO — In a grouping as challenging as the Trinity League, not all the intrigue involves the two national powerhouses who have dominated in recent years.

The race for third place and for playoff berths also provide drama, especially if there’s a transfer quarterback in the mix.

Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran offered all those elements, and a few more, Friday at Saddleback College.

They dueled to a tie at halftime and a back-and-forth second half before the Lancers emerged with a much-needed 28-21 victory.

Orange Lutheran’s Tj Lateef, left, celebrates with teammate, Nicholas Bland, right, after scoring the two point conversion during their game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran quarterback TJ Lateef scores a touchdown but is hit hard by Santa Margarita’s Izley Manutai during their game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Santa Margarita’s Trent Mosley turns upfield during the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Steve Chavez looks for a hole in the Santa Margarita defense during the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Santa Margarita’s Sean Embree hauls in a pass for ta touchdown in the first half in the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Joseph De la Torre moves the ball upfield as he is pursued by the defense during the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran quarterback TJ Lateef passes during the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

As the Santa Margarita team takes the field, player, Elijah Robinson, does a flip before the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

QB John Gazzaniga drags the Orange Lutheran defense as he runs the ball during the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Brayden Henson, right, turns upfield for a large gain in the 3rd quarter in the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran faithful endure the blazing sun as they await the start of the game between Orange Lutheran vs. Santa Margarita in a Trinity League football game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 6, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

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Orange Lutheran (4-3, 1-1), ranked fourth in Orange County, snapped a three-game losing streak and improved its chances of finishing at least .500 overall, a key ingredient for an at-large playoff spot.

Santa Margarita (4-3, 0-2), ranked fifth in the county, dropped its second consecutive game in league.

The game pitted Santa Margarita quarterback John Gazzaniga against his former school whom he played for earlier this season.

The high-profile, in-season transfer was part of the pregame chatter, and the expected intensity spilled into game. In the end, however, the Lancers hugged the junior in the postgame handshake.

Orange Lutheran sacked Gazzaniga on the Eagles’ second possession but drew a personal foul on the play.

Gazzaniga capitalized by lofting a 20-yard touchdown pass to Sean Embree to cap a 64-yard scoring drive. It was Gazzaniga’s eighth touchdown in four games with Santa Margarita.

Orange Lutheran responded on the ensuing possession with an 87-yard scoring drive that quarterback TJ Lateef punctuated with a 1-yard TD run early in the second quarter. On the play, the Eagles were flagged for a hit on Lateef.

The intensity continued later in the second period after Orange Lutheran intercepted a pass near the Lancers 20 with about five minutes left. After the tackle along the Orange Lutheran sideline, tempers briefly flared.

The Lancers, however, weren’t able to turn their second forced turnover into points as the score was locked 7-7 at halftime.

Orange Lutheran took its first lead early in the third quarter as running back Steve Chavez broke a 35-yard TD run for a 14-7 cushion.

The Lancers extended their advantage to 20-7 later in the third as Lateef fired a 45-yard TD strike to freshman wide receiver Chris Flores Jr.

Orange Lutheran capped a 28-0 scoring run by capitalizing on a pair of miscues on a Santa Margarita punt late in the third. Brayden Henson scored on a 1-yard TD run and Lateef caught the 2-point conversion from Flores to make it 28-7.

Gazzaniga led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter but the Lancers ran out the final 2:55.

Next week, Santa Margarita plays at JSerra on Oct. 13 while Orange Lutheran takes on Servite at Cerritos College.

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