Lutheran’s Big Third Quarter Produces Win

Nine first-half penalties and three dropped passes didn’t help Orange Lutheran get started Thursday night, but a fumble return by Sunny Hills sure did.

Orange Lutheran answered Matt Migliorini’s score-tying fumble return for a touchdown with two scores of its own during a five-minute span of the third quarter, and held on for a 19-7 nonleague victory at Buena Park High.

On Orange Lutheran’s first play of the second half, running back David Heim was met in the backfield during the handoff and the ball fell loose. Migliorini picked it up at the Orange Lutheran 22 and raced in for a touchdown that tied the score, 7-7.

After Orange Lutheran’s Brent Concolino returned the kickoff to the Sunny Hills’ 45, Casey Whieldon led Orange Lutheran on a six-play drive that culminated with his 10-yard touchdown pass to Jon Talmage.

Talmage, the county’s leading receiver, finished with 13 receptions for 158 yards.

Sunny Hills (0-4) couldn’t get a first down on its next possession and Concolino returned the ensuing punt 55 yards for a touchdown.

Devin Rienle, a senior linebacker for Orange Lutheran, was taken from the field by ambulance after he collapsed on the sideline after leaving the field in the fourth quarter. He stayed overnight at UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he was listed in stable condition. The extent of his injuries were not known.