By Connor Schmitt
The Saddleback Valley Christian football team once again lit up the scoreboard against a nonleague opponent as they defeated Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana 55-27 on Oct. 2.
The Warriors (5-0) will enter league play with a perfect record.
For Saddleback Valley Christian, this week 5 matchup against the Eagles was more than just a homecoming game. It was the final game before facing their rivals in the San Joaquin League, where the Warriors seek yet another championship title.
Despite the final score, there were some severe obstacles for the Warriors to overcome against Calvary Chapel. Savai’i Cravens, the team’s star receiver, did not play and missed his first game of the season after leading the team with 12 receptions, 348 yards and four touchdowns through the first four games.
With Cravens out, Saddleback Valley Christian successfully ran the ball for most of the game.
Warriors’ quarterback Cade Henjum, who entered the game with 651 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, escaped the pocket and ran more often than he passed. He ended the night with 45 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 rushing attempts and completed four of seven passes for 43 yards and an interception.
Running back Dalton Lohman had a standout offensive performance of his own, rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. With Calvary Chapel leading 7-0 early in the first quarter, the Warriors responded with back to back scoring drives, both of which were punctuated by Lohman touchdown runs of 42 and seven yards, respectively. Lohman scored his third and final rushing touchdown of the night five minutes into the second quarter to give the Warriors a 21-14 lead.
Senior David Molina showed promise on offense, defense, and special teams. From the safety position, Molina recorded two of the Warriors’ three interceptions and ran one of them back for a touchdown. As a running back, he rushed 12 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Saddleback Valley Christian was able to put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Following a 14-yard Molina touchdown run, a one-yard scoring run from Ryan DeViso and Molina’s interception return for a touchdown, the Warriors took a commanding 55-19 lead.
The Warriors will open league play against crosstown rivals Capistrano Valley Christian on Oct. 10 at Capistrano Valley High School.
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