CONCORD – You know you’ve had a tough night when the biggest cheer comes after a punt. But that was life for Orange Lutheran on Saturday night as the visiting Lancers fell on the road to national-power De La Salle of Concord, 41-3.
The punt came off of the left foot of Jerry Fitschen in the fourth quarter with a running clock. The Spartans didn’t bother to send anybody back to return the ball, so Fitschen’s booming kick out of his own end zone traveled 74 yards before it was downed. When the public-address announcer called out the distance, the Orange Lutheran fans responded with a lusty cheer.
Fitschen had four punts for 209 yards – he also nailed a 57-yarder in the first quarter with a return man back.
Otherwise, the offensive highlight for the Lancers came on their opening drive, when they marched down to the Spartans’ 12-yard line and had a second-and-6. Orange Lutheran couldn’t punch it in, however, and had to settle for Fitschen’s 33-yard field goal.
Otherwise, it was a repeat of last week for De La Salle when it dominated a Trinity League opponent – Servite was on the short end a week ago. The Spartans (3-1) piled up 419 yards rushing and 470 yards total, scoring on five of six possessions played by the first team offense – the other possession was a kneeldown to end the first half.
Andrew Hernandez rushed eight times for 133 yards and a touchdown. Antoine Custer carried 10 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Second-teamer Jonathan Hackett came on late to rush for 107 yards on seven carries.
De La Salle did a good job neutralizing Travis Yates and Scean Mustin. The Spartans line cleared wide swaths of land for their running backs, leaving the secondary to have to make most of the tackles.
Orange Lutheran (2-2) faces Vista Murrieta next.
