IRVINE – Using a trio of short-field drives in the first quarter, the Capistrano Valley Christian football team zipped to an early lead and maintained momentum in a 56-17 victory over Crean Lutheran in a nonleague game Friday at Crean Lutheran High.
Eagles quarterback Riley Babick hit receiver Ben Sukut for three touchdowns in the first half, while the CVC special teams added a kickoff return touchdown and returned a blocked punt for a score.
Crean Lutheran (4-2), playing without senior quarterback Paul Sardo, struggled early and turned the ball over on its first two series.
The Eagles (3-2) started their first two drives from the Saints’ 15- and 25-yard lines and capped those possessions with touchdown receptions by Sukut and Dylan Baird.
“Getting those guys the ball in open space is pretty dangerous, they’re pretty athletic,” Eagles coach Eric Preszler said. “We had probably our best special teams game of the year too.”
Sukut caught touchdown passes of 3 and 40 yards to give the Eagles a 28-0 cushion.
The Saints scored twice in the second quarter on runs by Gavin Folsom (9 yards) and Mark Sharp (6 yards).
Rafael Ramos countered with an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and Matt Balmer blocked a punt, returning it 15 yards for a score to give CVC a 42-14 halftime lead.
Contact the writer: npercy@ocregister.com
