Crean Lutheran Rallies From 21-0 Deficit to Top Huntington Beach, Score 31-28 (2025)

Irvine – Saints Stadium (CLHS)

What started as a potential Huntington Beach blowout quickly turned into a showcase of Crean Lutheran’s ground game and resilience. The Saints rallied from a 21-0 deficit to stun the Oilers, 31-28, in a matchup between two of the Epsilon League’s top teams.

With the win, Crean Lutheran (9-0, 4-0) clinched at least a share of the league title and remained undefeated, while Huntington Beach (7-2, 3-1) dropped its first league game of the season.

Junior running back Caleb Bey powered the comeback, rushing for 161 yards and two touchdowns while also adding a 10-yard touchdown reception. Bey’s 92 rushing yards in the second half set the tone as the Saints’ offensive line began to dominate the trenches.

Huntington Beach struck early and often in the first half. Quarterback Brady Edmunds, an Ohio State commit, threw three first-half touchdowns — two to Troy Foster and one to Nathan Villanueva — as the Oilers built a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

But Crean Lutheran responded with three touchdowns in the final 7:37 of the first half to tie the game 21-21. Bey began the rally with a 6-yard TD run, followed by Dillon Booth’s 1-yard score, and capped it off with his 10-yard TD catch from Caden Jones in the closing seconds of the half.

The Saints controlled the second half behind a punishing rushing attack. Kicker Eric Miao drilled a 37-yard field goal on the opening drive of the third quarter to give Crean its first lead at 24-21 after a methodical 15-play possession. Bey then added his third touchdown — a 5-yard run — early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 31-21.

Edmunds answered with a 2-yard rushing TD to cut it to 31-28, but Crean Lutheran’s defense held firm down the stretch, stopping the Oilers’ final drive to preserve the win.

Crean Lutheran head coach praised the team’s composure:

“We talked all week about responding, and tonight our guys didn’t panic,” he said. “Caleb and the O-line took control when it mattered most.”

The Saints will visit Laguna Hills on Thursday for their regular-season finale, while Huntington Beach closes against El Dorado on Friday.