Edison to play for CIF title

The Edison High School football team is relishing the role of underdog.

The Chargers return to the CIF Southern Section football finals for the first time in five years Saturday when they battle Orange Lutheran High in the Pac-5 Division championship game at 8:10 p.m. at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Edison (11-2) earned a date with Orange Lutheran (12-1) after defeating favored Santa Margarita last Friday, 14-3, in the semifinals, also played at the Home Depot Center.

In the other semifinal, Orange Lutheran rolled out to a 23-0 lead over Long Beach Poly, only to hold on in the end to edge the Jackrabbits, 23-22.

Saturday’s matchup will pit teams with contrasting offenses and similar stingy defenses.

“We’re really excited to be playing for a championship again,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “The kids have done a tremendous job these past few weeks and have earned the right to play for the title.”

White guided Edison to its last finals appearance in 2001 at Angel Stadium. Long Beach Poly won that contest, 42-28. Edison has not won a Southern Section title since playing Long Beach Poly to a 14-14 tie in 1985.

The Chargers also won back-to-back championships in 1979 and 1980.

Saturday’s game between Edison and Orange Lutheran will be the first meeting between the schools.

Orange Lutheran won the 2004 Division VI title by defeating Newport Harbor in the final.

“For us, this is a good-news, bad-news situation,” Orange Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau said. “The good news is that we get to play a really classy team and head coach. Every encounter I’ve had with Dave White shows me what a great coach and classy gentleman he is.

“The bad news is that we’ll be playing a great team. They are a well-coached, talented and disciplined team. All of this will make for a great atmosphere Saturday at the Home Depot Center.”