Whittier Christian battles but falls short

WHITTIER — Whittier Christian fought from behind the entire game and could never seem to make that one play to put them over the top as it wound up falling to Valley Christian of Cerritos, 28-14, in an Olympic League game on Friday night at Whittier College.

The passing attack of the Heralds kept the game close as quarterback Stephen Anderson threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 248 yards through the air.

Anderson connected with Grant Escobar on both touchdown passes, the first one coming from 70 yards in the first quarter and then the second coming from 9 yards out in the third quarter.

Escobar finished with five catches for 132 yards for the Heralds (3-4, 0-2) .

The second touchdown came after a 26-yard punt return from the Heralds’ Cameron Stanley that took the ball down to the Valley Christian (4-3, 1-0) 9-yard line. One play later Escobar scored to cut the Crusaders lead to 21-14 with 2:12 left in the third quarter.

The Crusaders came back with an 80-yard drive that took up 5:04 and provided the final score of the game on a 1-yard run by Kyle Kurian.

Whittier Christian defensive lineman Jeff Worthy finished with 161/2 sacks, but had to leave the game in the middle of the third quarter after suffering a concussion.

The Herald defense finished with six sacks.

Next Friday, Whittier Christian will take on Lynwood at Whittier College.