WHITTIER – After two big losses in a row, Whittier Christian turned the tables and cruised to a 47-14 victory over visiting Maranatha on Friday night in an Olympic League game at Whittier College.
Junior quarterback Quinn Commans threw five touchdown passes, three of which were over 67 yards, for whittier Christians (5-3, 1-1).
“It was a good win, and we’re worked so hard defensively this past week,” Heralds coach Sergio Gradilla said. “Tonight it was a step in the right direction.”
The five touchdowns by Commans brought his season total to 38. Commans threw for 356 yards, completing 9 of 17 passes.
Maranatha, which has been decimated with injuries this season, dropped to 2-4-1 overall and 0-2 in league.
Junior wide receiver Cade McGee caught three touchdown passes, and senior tight end Nico Albertini scored two touchdowns for the Heralds. One of Albertini’s touchdowns was a 40-yard interception return.
Mcgee’s three TDs, which gave him 17 this season, were for 13, 78 and 84 yards.
The Heralds scored with 3:50 remaining in the opening quarter on a shovel pass by Commans to Justin Osborn, who sprinted 70 yards for the 7-0 lead.
Osborn also ran for 110 yards.
“It was finally nice to finally not be in a shootout and come out on the short end,” Commons said.
“It’s been a crazy season, and before the season I never thought I’d put up these numbers.”
Early in the second quarter, the Hearlds took a 12-0 lead on an 84-yard touchdown reception by McGee.
The Heralds scored four more times in the half, two of which were long receptions by Albertini (67 yards) and McGee (78 yards).
Albertini hauled in two interceptions, the first he returned 40 yards to give Whittier Christian a 32-0 lead.
With 42 seconds left in the half, Maranatha finally got on the scoreboard with a 45-yard pass from junior quarterback Kwon Peterson to senior wide receiver Sam Ryan.
In the second half, Whittier Christian ran the score to 47-7 with a 1-yard run by senior running back Josh Hernandez.
