MidValleySports.Com

(L-R) Cliff Martin, Darien McGee and Omar Younger are all smiles after Maranatha's big win over Village Christian

(Pasadena) – Andrew Elffers accounted for five touchdowns and ran for two more to lead Maranatha to a 34-17 win over Village Christian Friday night in Olympic League action.

Elffers threw for three and ran for two more including an 11 yard jaunt late in the fourth quarter that sealed it for the Minutemen.

It was almost a must win game for Maranatha after losing its first two league games. A loss would have put the Minutemen at 0-3 and possibly out of the playoff picture.

“I’m so proud of the way the way our kids responded. The word of the week was urgency and they came out and played with it tonight,” said Maranatha Coach Pete Karavedas.

Elffers completed 20 of 26 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. He threw an interception in the third quarter.

For Village Christian the offense revolved around Amjed Aboul-hosn. The senior running back had 32 caries for 198 yards.

“He’s a great back,” Karavedas said. “But our defense was kind of bend but don’t break at times. They did a good job.”

Elffers hit Rob Flewelling on a 14 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter after Village kicked a field goal on its first drive. In the second quarter Elffers capped a six play drive with a two yard run.

With just 17 seconds left in the second, Elffers found Cliff Martin in the corner of the endzone for an 11 yard touchdown and a 21-10 half time advantage.

The teams exchanged punts and turnovers in the third quarter and then the Minutemen went to work in the fourth.

Starting at its own five yard line, Maranatha went 95 yards on 12 plays and Elffers finished it with an 11 yard TD strike to Darien McGee for a 28-10 lead with just over six minutes left.

The Crusaders fired one last bullet, when Andrew Sanchez returned the ensuing kick off back 95 yards for a touchdown.

Maranatha nailed it down on the next possession with a 52 yard drive that Elffers capped with an 11 yard run.

McGee had nine catches for 71 yards and a score. Flewelling had four for 42 and Omar Younger had 15 carries for 53 yards and three receptions for 49.

With the win, Maranatha sewed up third place in the Olympic provided it beats LA Baptist next week. The Minutemen are 1-2 and 7-2 overall. Village Christian fell to 4-5 and 1-2.

VC 3   7   0   7        17

M   7  14  0  13       34

1st Qtr:

VC 5:41 Ken Chun 22 yd FG

M :51 Flewelling 14 yd pass from Elffers (Maceo Kick)

2nd Qtr:

VC 9:02 Aboul-hosn 1 yd run (Chun Kick)

M 7:02 Elffers 2 yd run (Maceo Kick)

M :17 Martin 26 yd pass from Elffers (Maceo Kick)

4th Qtr:

M 6:02 McGee 11 yd pass from Elffers (Maceo Kick)

VC 5:49 Sanchez 92 yd KO Ret. (Chun Kick)

M 3:04 Elffers 11 yd run (Bad snap – Kick Failed)