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Maranatha runs its streak against La Salle to two. (Photo by Anne Cypress)

(Sierra Madre)- Maranatha took advantage of La Salle’s inability to capitalize on five Minutemen turnovers by taking advantage of just two Lancer turnovers that led to 14 points in the third quarter. Maranatha’s second half flurry was enough to defeat La Salle 20-3 to take “The Battle for the Crown”.

Omar Younger provided all the muscle and offense the Minutemen needed by rushing for scores of 5 and 10 yards and eluding tacklers on an innocent screen for a 54-yard reception for a touchdown. Younger finished the night with 18 carries for 143 yards, also adding two receptions for 60 yards.

It really was the “Younger Show” for Maranatha’s offense. With Minutemen quarterback Andrew Elffers struggling in the first half, head coach Pete Karavedas put the ball in the hands of Younger to begin the second half after Casey Ng caused La Salle’s Josh Hall to fumble. Matthew Payton recovered the fumble on the Lancer 36-yard line.

Younger did the rest from that point. On three carries, Younger ran for 13, 8, and capping off the drive with a 10 yard score to give the Maranatha the lead.

Elffers shook off the first half to help lead the Minutemen. (Phooto by Anne Cypress)

On its next possession, the Minutemen drove down the field after beginning the drive on its own 28-yard line. The offensive drive was done with surgical precision as Elffers shook the first half off by going 3-for-3 for 41 yards. Two of those passes were completed to Darien McGee. Younger carried the ball four times on the seven play drive scoring on a five yard run to extend the lead.

As easy as Maranatha carved upped the Lancer defense in the second half, it really wasn’t indicative of how well it played in the first half.

The Lancer defense was up to the task of stopping Elffers in the first half. With the Minutemen driving, Hall intercepted his own deflection of Elffers at the La Salle 29-yard line. After the Lancers punted, Maranatha drove again this time to the La Salle 37-yard line. Terrell Oliver read Elffers eyes on the play and was able to jump the route at the 17-yard line to make the interception.

Unfortunately for the Lancers offense nothing came to fruition on the Minutemen turnovers in the first quarter of play.

On Maranatha’s third drive, Elffers became of the victim of Oliver for the second time in the half on a deep route. For the third time in the half, La Salle managed to get nothing out of its defensive stands.

The Lancers finally capitalized with the score knotted at zero after a muffed punt was recovered by Bobby LaSalle at the Minutemen 10-yard line. La Salle attempted to run plays gaining no yardage and failed to convert on third down with a pass. Rachel Albright gave the Lancers a 3-0 lead with a 27-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.

Struggling throughout the game to get any offense going, the Lancers brought in Mike Novell to play in the second half. Novell finished the game 13 of 23 for 182 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Maranatha put the game away on its next offensive series following the interception facing a 3^rd and 15 at its own 46-yard line. Elffers dropped back and found Younger on a screen pass. Younger did the rest eluding several tacklers on his way to the end zone.

Terrell Oliver had two interceptions in the loss. (Photo by Anne Cypress)