In a thrilling encounter on Friday night, Orange Lutheran High School emerged victorious with a 23-17 win over Chandler (Ariz.) Basha, the top-ranked high school football team in Arizona. This victory marks the Lancers' second win in a grueling nonleague schedule that has been recognized as one of the toughest in the nation by MaxPreps.
Orange Lutheran, which is currently ranked eighth in California and 61st nationally, has faced a series of formidable opponents in the early weeks of the season. Their journey began with a narrow one-point loss to Miami Central in Florida, followed by a convincing 38-24 victory against San Diego Cathedral, the 15th-ranked team in California. The matchup against Basha was expected to be a significant test, especially after the Lancers suffered a 30-24 defeat to the Bears last season.
The game commenced with a quick strike from Basha, as senior quarterback Jake Rogers, a Princeton commit, connected with senior wide receiver Jaden Baldwin for a 62-yard touchdown on their opening drive. However, the Lancers quickly regrouped and demonstrated their defensive prowess throughout the game. After the first quarter, Basha struggled to find any rhythm on offense, and their subsequent possessions were marked by three-and-outs, including a safety resulting from a bad snap.
Key to Orange Lutheran's success was the performance of twin brothers, Anhor The Great Johnson and King Rich Johnson. King Rich made a pivotal impact with a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving the Lancers a lead they would not relinquish. Anhor The Great was equally impressive, consistently disrupting Basha's passing game with multiple pass breakups and defensive plays that kept the Bears' offense at bay.
Despite Basha's efforts, which included a late touchdown pass from Rogers to running back Noah Roberts, the Lancers' defense held strong. Rogers finished the game with 192 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, struggling against a relentless Orange Lutheran defensive line.
On the offensive side, the Lancers were led by sophomore running back Ryan Christianson, who rushed for 151 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries. His performance was bolstered by a solid offensive line and the support of senior lineman Lucas Rhoa, who expressed admiration for the team's defensive effort. "One of the best defensive games I’ve seen," Rhoa remarked, acknowledging the team's ability to limit Basha to just three scores.
Looking ahead, Orange Lutheran will face Gardena Serra next, a team ranked 40th in California, followed by a challenging matchup against Sierra Canyon, currently ranked fourth in the Southland. First-year head coach Ray Fenton, who took over a team facing a daunting schedule, emphasized the importance of these tough games in preparing his players for the rigors of the Trinity League, which features elite teams like St. John Bosco and Mater Dei.
Fenton's philosophy is clear: to succeed in high school football, especially in a competitive league, it is essential to face strong opponents. "We can’t hide from our league, it’s like the SEC of high school football," he stated, underscoring the need for rigorous preparation.
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