Orange Lutheran spells linebacker “P-E-M-A-S-A”

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Man, it was a great night to be named Pemasa. There were four of them in the Orange Lutheran lineup, including Preston, a sophomore who started at center, in the Lancers’ 28-7 victory over Mission Viejo in a Pac-5 Division first-round game.

No offense, Preston, but it was an even better night to be named Pemasa and playing on defense.

Ricky and his twin brother Alex, and their cousin Jeremiah, are Lutheran’s three linebackers (pictured left to right, Jeremiah, Ricky and Alex). ‘They’re nice,’ said Bob Johnson, Mission Viejo’s coach. ‘They’re good linebackers.’

Good indeed, and they were flying all over the field at Santa Ana Stadium on Friday. My stats are hardly official, but senior Ricky caused an interception when he hit Allan Bridgford and also had a quarterback sack, senior Alex had two sacks, one of which caused a fumble, and junior Jeremiah had a sack.

‘The Pemasas play like they usually do, with a lot of passion,’ said Jim Kunau, OL’s coach.

Mission came into the game averaging 30 points, and only one other team held the Diablos to fewer than 14: Concord De La Salle. In all, Mission committed five turnovers and Bridgford was sacked seven times.

Said Alex: ‘Every game is like a championship game to us.’

Ricky had a good night on offense, too. He carried 19 times for 82 yards and three touchdowns.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times